Theguardian iconTheguardianJul 1, 2026

RSC casts Sharon D Clarke as black lesbian Othello in reimagining of play

Three-time Olivier winner to play general viewed through 'urgent new lens' of misogynoir in futuristic production The Royal Shakespeare Company has cast Sharon D Clarke as a black lesbian Othello in a futuristic reimagining of the play which is being billed as projecting the 400-year-old story through "an urgent new lens". Clarke, who is a three-time Olivier winner and has starred in West End and Broadway productions, brought the project to the RSC with the twist that Othello would be depicted as a black lesbian general married to a younger Desdemona.

RSC casts Sharon D Clarke as black lesbian Othello in reimagining of play

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Three-time Olivier winner to play general viewed through 'urgent new lens' of misogynoir in futuristic production The Royal Shakespeare Company has cast Sharon D Clarke as a black lesbian Othello in a...

Clarke, who is a three-time Olivier winner and has starred in West End and Broadway productions, brought the project to the RSC with the twist that Othello would be depicted as a black lesbian general...

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Three-time Olivier winner to play general viewed through 'urgent new lens' of misogynoir in futuristic production The Royal Shakespeare Company has cast Sharon D Clarke as a black lesbian Othello in a futuristic reimagining of the play which is being billed as projecting the 400-year-old story through "an urgent new lens". Clarke, who is a three-time Olivier winner and has starred in West End and Broadway productions, brought the project to the RSC with the twist that Othello would be depicted as a black lesbian general married to a younger Desdemona.

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Three-time Olivier winner to play general viewed through 'urgent new lens' of misogynoir in futuristic production The Royal Shakespeare Company has cast Sharon D Clarke as a black lesbian Othello in a futuristic reimagining of the play which is being billed as projecting the 400-year-old story through "an urgent new lens". Clarke, who is a three-time Olivier winner and has starred in West End and Broadway productions, brought the project to the RSC with the twist that Othello would be depicted as a black lesbian general married to a younger Desdemona.

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