Outlander star Sam Heughan lands iconic role worlds away from hit TV show
OUTLANDER star Sam Heughan has landed an iconic role worlds away from the hit time travel show.
The actor, 45, is to play Macbeth in his debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
Advertisement
2
Sam Heughan has landed an iconic role worlds away from Outlander
Credit: Getty
2
Heughan is known for playing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser
Credit: Splash News
The British theatre company has announced its programme of events for 2025/2026, including a raft of plays that will be staged in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of famous playwright William Shakespeare.
In the RSC's latest version of Macbeth, Scottish actor Heughan, known for playing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser in romance drama Outlander, will star opposite The Day Of The Jackal actress Lia Williams, as Lady Macbeth.
Heughan said: "At age 18, standing on the main stage of the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, playing 'spear-carrier number 2' (essentially a glorified extra) in a production of Macbeth, I could only dream of one day playing the infamous title character.
"It feels full circle to be returning to the stage, after over a decade working primarily in television and film.
Advertisement
Read more TV
KILLER SHOW How real life Scottish murder inspired Netflix smash thriller Dept. Q
"Not only is Macbeth my favourite Shakespeare play: intense, immediate and unsettling, it also happens to be famously Scottish.
"The RSC has always been at the pinnacle of my ambition and I feel deeply honoured and thankful to be working alongside some enormously talented and creative people.
"The Other Place is the perfect space to create an intense, intimate production and, like Lady M, we will be calling upon the spirits of the RSC's highly acclaimed past productions for their blessing."
David Tennant, Sir Ian McKellen, and Ralph Fiennes are among the actors who have played the famous character who, consumed by greed and power, murders the king to take the Scottish throne for himself.
Advertisement
The new production will be shown at The Other Place theatre from October 9 to December 6.
Elsewhere, four of Shakespeare's most famous characters have their stories revisited across two performances, also being staged at The Other Place, from January 2026.
Sam Heughan talks Outlander as he enjoys dram of his own whisky
The first performance in All Is But Fantasy explores the story of Lady Macbeth, who is consumed by guilt after plotting to murder King Duncan, and Emilia, a character in tragedy play, Othello.
The second performance looks at the story of Juliet, from tragic romance story Romeo And Juliet, and Richard III, who uses manipulation to become king in the eponymous play.
Advertisement
Olivier award-winning actor Adrian Lester will play the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac in a new version of Edmond Rostand's play about the novelist and playwright, showing at the Swan Theatre from September 27 to November 15.
Over at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch will star as Henry V in a play running from March 14 to April 25 2026.
Other highlights include an 80-minute staging of King Lear and a two-part adaptation of John Galsworthy's novels, The Forsyte Saga, both playing at the Swan Theatre later in the year, with the former also going on tour.
The RSC is also staging plays in the West End and recently announced the UK premiere of Liz Duffy Adams's Born With Teeth, which will play at Wyndham's Theatre, previewing on August 13 with a final performance on November 1.
Advertisement
The production follows rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe, played by Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa, and Shakespeare, played by Killing Eve's Edward Bluemel.
Over in North America, Lolita Chakrabarti's acclaimed stage adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's award-winning novel Hamnet embarks on a three-date tour of the US in Spring 2026.
RSC co-artistic directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said: "From Malawi or Manhattan, through French fields, Scottish heaths, mythical lands and Giant country, our 2025/26 programme celebrates what we believe a 21st Century RSC can and should be: global in ambition and outlook, open and collaborative in nature and continuously redefining how Shakespeare and great storytelling can bring joy, connection and improve our understanding of one-another.
"We are delighted to welcome so many artists in their RSC debuts this season, including internationally renowned acting talents Adrian Lester, Sam Heughan and Lia Williams, playwrights Debris Stevenson, Richy Hughes, Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan, alongside the visionary theatre-makers of tomorrow, Lynette Linton, Simon Evans, Josh Roche and Whitney White to name a few."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
39 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Drake concert cancelled due to ‘unforeseen' travel issues
The Canadian musician was due to perform at Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena on Monday July 28, however, has had to reschedule the gig due to 'unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics'. The 38-year old, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, will instead perform at the venue on August 5. The news was shared in a statement on the Co-Op live website, which said: 'Due to unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics, tomorrow's performance in Manchester on July 28th has been rescheduled. 'The good news is that Drake will now perform in Manchester on Tuesday, August 5th, and it's set to be an unforgettable night. 'All tickets remain valid for the new date—we can't wait to see you there!' This comes after Drake released a new song, Which One, on Thursday with British rapper Central Cee. Drake is midway through the UK leg of his Some Special Shows 4 U tour with Partynextdoor, marking his first return to Europe in six years. Earlier this month Drake performed at Wireless Festival in London after signing a multi-million pound deal to top the bill each night of the three nights. The Canadian brought out UK heavyweights Dave, Central Cee and J Hus as surprise guests during one of his performances on the main stage in Finsbury Park. He also performed with Lauryn Hill on one of the three nights. The five-time Grammy-award winning artist will head to mainland Europe in August with concerts scheduled in Amsterdam, Zurich, and Milan and Paris. The artist is best known for his hit songs One Dance, Hold On We're Going Home, and Hotline Bling.
The Herald Scotland
39 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Drake concert cancelled due to ‘unforeseen' travel issues
The 38-year old, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, will instead perform at the venue on August 5. Drake attending the UK premiere of Top Boy at the Hackney Picturehouse in London (Ian West/PA) The news was shared in a statement on the Co-Op live website, which said: 'Due to unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics, tomorrow's performance in Manchester on July 28th has been rescheduled. 'The good news is that Drake will now perform in Manchester on Tuesday, August 5th, and it's set to be an unforgettable night. 'All tickets remain valid for the new date—we can't wait to see you there!' This comes after Drake released a new song, Which One, on Thursday with British rapper Central Cee. Drake is midway through the UK leg of his Some Special Shows 4 U tour with Partynextdoor, marking his first return to Europe in six years. Drake performing at the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, central London (Ian West/PA) Earlier this month Drake performed at Wireless Festival in London after signing a multi-million pound deal to top the bill each night of the three nights. The Canadian brought out UK heavyweights Dave, Central Cee and J Hus as surprise guests during one of his performances on the main stage in Finsbury Park. He also performed with Lauryn Hill on one of the three nights. The five-time Grammy-award winning artist will head to mainland Europe in August with concerts scheduled in Amsterdam, Zurich, and Milan and Paris. The artist is best known for his hit songs One Dance, Hold On We're Going Home, and Hotline Bling.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Harry & Wills' pal the Duke of Westminster welcomes first baby with wife Olivia as pair reveal adorable name
The Duke is godfather to Prince George BABY JOY Harry & Wills' pal the Duke of Westminster welcomes first baby with wife Olivia as pair reveal adorable name Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Duke and Duchess of Westminster are "thrilled" as they welcome their first child. Their baby girl, Cosima Florence Grosvenor was born today in London. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have welcomed a baby girl Credit: PA 3 The pair got married in June 2024 Credit: Getty Hugh Grosvenor, a Billionaire aristocrat who is a long-term friend of the Duke of Sussex and Prince William, and his wife Olivia, married last year. A spokesperson for the couple said: "The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby daughter. "Both the duchess and Cosima are doing well. "The duke and duchess now look forward to spending this special time together as a family." They announced the pregnancy in March, with a spokesperson saying: "The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together." The Duke is godfather to Prince George, and also reportedly to Prince Archie. During the couple's wedding at Chester Cathedral in June 2024, William acted as Usher. Harry wasn't in attendance amid his long-running rift with his brother. Hugh had previously been considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors. He became an instant billionaire when he inherited his title, and the historic Grosvenor Estate, aged 25 following the death of his father from a heart attack in 2016. Duke of Westminster's wedding exposed Harry & William's brutal rift - one encounter would've been excruciating, says pro His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns hundreds of acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city developments like Liverpool's One shopping centre. In 2020, Hugh donated £12.5 million to the Covid-19 relief effort across NHS Charities Together, as well as across medical research and development. 3 Prince William acted as usher at their wedding at Chester Cathedral Credit: Getty
