RSC casts Sharon D. Clarke as first Black lesbian Othello

The Royal Shakespeare Company will stage a groundbreaking new production of "Othello" in 2027, starring three-time Olivier Award winner Sharon D. Clarke as the first Black lesbian actor to take on the title role for the company. Directed by Monique Touko, the production will run at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from February 13 to April 3, 2027.

The reimagining relocates Shakespeare’s tragedy to a climate-threatened future and centers on a Black lesbian military general. The production will explore themes of jealousy, suspicion, and prejudice through the lens of misogynoir, a term describing the intersection of anti-Black racism and misogyny. The creative team includes set designer Paul Wills, lighting designer Matt Haskins, and sound designer Khali Maldovi, with the staging incorporating movement and music.

Clarke, who is making her RSC debut, brought the concept for this interpretation to the company. She said she hopes the casting will compel audiences to see the classic story differently, drawing parallels to her Olivier-winning performance in an African American recasting of "Death of a Salesman." Clarke stated she will incorporate her own experiences as an out...