James Norton (A Little Life, Grantchester) will star in a new production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the West End in Autumn 2027. The new production is conceived and directed by Thomas Ostermeier (The Seagull, An Enemy of the People).
Norton was most recently seen in the West End in A Little Life, the stage adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Hanya Yanagihara, alongside Omari Douglas, Luke Thompson and Zach Wyatt. Norton was nominated for an Olivier Award for his role.
Of joining the production, James Norton said: “It’s a privilege for anyone to take on the role of Hamlet. It’s also pretty terrifying! But with Thomas Ostermeier at the helm, I know I could not be in better hands. Both this role and this director have intrigued me and challenged me over the years, and so I cannot wait to start this journey with Thomas and see where it takes us.”
Production dates, venue and full casting will be announced at a later date.
Hamlet in the West End
Not including recent productions at the National Theatre or Shakespeare’s Globe, the last major West End production of Hamlet was in 2017, starring Andrew Scott as the titular character, and directed by Robert Icke, who just directed Romeo and Juliet in the West End with Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe.
Hamlet, about a Danish prince determined to avenge his father’s murder, is considered one of Shakespeare’s most influential tragedies. It’s also one of his most performed works, featuring some iconic speeches and turns of phrase regularly quoted in the English language, such as the famous ‘to be, or not to be” soliloquy.
Theatre director Thomas Ostermeier has become known for his innovative reinterpretations of classic works, including recent productions of The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre starring Cate Blanchett and Tom Burke, and An Enemy of the People starring Matt Smith in the West End.
On bringing Hamlet to the West End, Ostermeier said: “I am pleased to be revisiting Hamlet for the West End with the great stage actor, James Norton. It will be my first time directing Shakespeare in English, and I am excited to explore the original text in order to bring this new production to life. My first Hamlet has been touring the world for 18 years so I am honoured to have the opportunity to bring it here to London with James, who in my mind is a perfect Prince of Denmark.”
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