Oscar nominated Ruth Negga will play Shakespeare’s Hamlet at Dublin’s Gate

It’s not Negga’s first time starring in Shakespeare’s tragedy, either. The 36-year-old thesp previously played Ophelia at the Royal National Theatre in London. 

However, taking on the titular role will be a bold turn for the former Love/Hate star.

Alas, director Yaël Farber has no doubt that the actress is up for the challenge, even describing Negga as a ‘Hamlet of our times”.

Ruth Negga will play Hamlet, in a production by Yael Farber. Hell yes. #GateLaunch

— Chris McCormack (@ChrisMacCormack) May 14, 2018

“Ruth Negga’s profound gifts as an artist, combined with her meticulously observed and felt sense of the world around her, hold the promise for a Hamlet I believe most needed now,” Farber said.

Me: There's too many productions of Hamlet on commercial stages. It's been produced beyond sincerity and is used as a cynical money maker.
Gate: Ruth Negga as Hamlet
Me: I love Hamlet. A transcendental story of life, death, and our shared humanity. We need more productions becaus

— Annie 'Repealin' Keegan (@annie_keegan) May 14, 2018

“If this is to be a Hamlet that can speak such words and 'hold up the mirror' to these extraordinary times, it is a Hamlet that requires an artist of the immense complexity and depth of understanding that I believe Ruth has to bring to this extraordinary text."

After all, Shakespeare himself preferred to recruit young boys to play female characters - so the role is nothing Negga can't pull off with aplomb!