Review of David Harewood’s Othello in cinemas from 4 March

United Kingdom Shakespeare’s Othello: Filmed live (directed by Tim Van Someran) at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, and to be seen in cinemas from 4.3.2026. (JPr)

My mind goes back – as always when discussing Shakespeare’s Othello – to the first one I saw which was a 1980 Royal Shakespeare Company’s performance at London’s Aldwych Theatre with the late Sir Donald Sinden ‘blacked up’ as Shakespeare’s moor. (Sinden’s slow, over-deliberate, enunciation of ‘Des – daaay – mooow – naaa’ still resonates with me 45 and more years later!) Thankfully since the 1980s onwards it has become the norm for Black actors to be Othello though at least in the earlier days they overwhelmingly found themselves the sole non-white figure in a cast of white actors. Whilst not ideal in 2026 this would underline the racism in the play – at least in the opening scenes – and Othello’s increasing isolation when this is set aside and it is the doubts about Desdemona’s infidelity which totally unbalances his mind leading to tragedy. There would have been ethnic diversity in late-sixteenth century Venice, and this was reflected in Tom Morris’s cast for his modern dress staging. David Harewood returned to the role of Othello – he was the first black actor to play the part at the National Theatre in 1997 – and was not now the only ‘non-white figure’ on the stage.

For Harewood speaking on BBC Radio, ‘It is a very, very, modern play. This one is of pure human emotions and it’s got some extremely modern female characters in Emilia and Desdemona and what they have to do and say and the love and the story is magnetic … And most people know the ending but how you get there, I think what Tom Morris our wonderful director brought up, is quite extraordinary because you go on this roller coaster … of jealousy and betrayal and lies and poison and you see the destruction of a beautiful thing and it is heartbreaking.’

Ti Green’s stage is often dark – not that Rich Howell’s lighting doesn’t have its moments such as when epilepsy strikes Othello like bolts of lightning – and is often bare apart from a bench and, of course, the all important bed. Perhaps there are hints of Venice’s Doge’s Palace in the gold frames and pillars of Venice but when the action shifts to Cyprus there is a transparent screen towards the rear allowing entrances in front, behind and through it, as well as for some atmospheric video projections. It is at its most effective at the very end as we poignantly see the faces of the sacrificial victims Desdemona and Emilia which turn blood red as [spoiler alert!] Othello turns a gun on himself. Moments of heightened drama were frequently underpinned by PJ Harvey’s music which drones on a bit and is sometimes intrusive, whilst not so much at other times. The costumes are eclectic with, for instance, Othello in a blue or white general’s unform, Desdemona mostly in green or red, the red-bereted Iago in fatigues throughout and the senators in red robes. Why Roderigo is dressed as a chef is a mystery though?

Harewood in his interview remarked on how ‘There was a lot of laughter in the audience … and it was uncomfortable laughter and anxious laughter and people felt very guilty about it but it was a really extraordinary experience to go through that and to hear that laughter because it was very uncomfortable at first but it made for a very extraordinary evening in the theatre, very very lively so I’m hoping that’s replicated in the cinemas.’ It is an extraordinary surprise to hear an audience laughing so much during Othello. I was not sure it was always appropriate and may say more about modern theatre audiences than what they were seeing and hearing. Okay you may react the more often you hear Iago as ‘honest’ because his conniving can seem increasingly comical at times but much of the rest is not a laughing matter unless I am missing something? Please let me know if I am.

It is difficult to divorce Toby Jones’s ‘Little Big Man’ Iago from his portrayal of Captain Mainwaring in the 2016 Dad’s Army film. His motivation is unclear, is it because he was overlooked for promotion; he is married to Vinette Robinson as Emilia – though what she sees in him is unclear – so it is not as simple as racism though he spits out ‘Moorship’ when feigning respect. Perhaps he is just a black-hearted villain as in any Christmas pantomime and perhaps that familiarity elicits some of the audience laughter.

Jones doesn’t completely dominate this Othello – though he clearly has the bulk of the lines – due to being surrounded by an impressive ensemble of actors who bring Morris’s straightforward production to life with many of them getting their own impressive moments – often literally – in the spotlight. This includes Tom Byrne as a guileless Roderigo and Luke Treadaway as an equally naïve Cassio. Vinette Robinson is a feisty Emilia but with that strength comes the observation that it was in Emilia’s power to stop her and others’ deaths: as much as it was up to Othello to actually ask Desdemona what if anything was going on with Cassio and believe her answer! It is Emilia who initially retrieves the deux ex machina handkerchief and knows Iago got it from her but keeps quiet too long. Emilia and Desdemona later bemoan the misogyny of their existence to remind us how Othello is as much about gender as race. Too late, Emilia finally decides to stand up to her husband and dies by his hand with Robinson’s acting some of the best of the entire play.

Harewood, a compelling stage presence, is at the play’s outset a proud, noble Othello, rather softly spoken but with his words full of import. His commanding physicality appears to physically shrink under Iago’s onslaught and at the end it is almost impossible not to feel pity for him despite his actions. The long-limbed Caitlin Fitzgerald’s Desdemona (with an Irish-American accent possibly like Fitzgerald’s own father) was extraordinarily self-processed and a modern ’take’ on the character. Fitzgerald brings a steely resolve to what normally would be the meekest of lines and the passion she has for Othello is evident. It is perfectly understandable how this Desdemona would repeatedly petition – just as Iago hopes she will – for the reinstatement of Cassio who has fallen out of favour, since to Othello’s total dismay – and mental disarray – he believes them to be lovers. Also catching the eye in this accomplish cast is Rose Riley’s spirited Bianca and along with Emilia and Desdemona it is these three women who are the true heroes of this Othello.

Subtly directed for the screen by Tim Van Someran, Tom Morris’s Othello is a cinematic experience it would be sad to miss if you have not seen it in the theatre and can now see it nearer to home.

Jim Pritchard

Featured Image: Toby Jones (Iago), Caitlin FitzGerald (Desdemona) and David Harewood (Othello) © Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

For more about Othello in cinemas click here.

Cast:
David Harewood – Othello
Toby Jones – Iago
Caitlin FitzGerald – Desdemona
Vinette Robinson – Emilia
Luke Treadaway – Cassio
David Ahmad – Gratiano
Gethin Alderman – Nicos
Ewan Black – Montano
Tom Byrne – Roderigo
Jonathan Cobb – Telemachos
Peter Guinness – Brabantio
Felix Hayes – Duke of Venice
Jasmin Hinds – Julio / Julia
Wela Mbusi – Memet / Marcus
Jude Owusu – Lodovico
Tom Peters – Vincenzio
Rose Riley – Bianca

Creatives:
Director – Tom Morris
Music – PJ Harvey
Designer – Ti Green
Sound design & Additional music – Jon Nicholl
Lighting design – Rich Howell
Projection design – Nina Dunn
Movement and Intimacy director – Yarit Dor
Fight director – Kate Waters

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DAVID HAREWOOD, TOBY JONES AND CAITLIN FITZGERALD
IN SHAKESPEARE’S OTHELLO

RELEASED IN CINEMAS WORLDWIDE FROM 4 MARCH 2026

Trafalgar Releasing, in partnership with Chris Harper Productions releases Shakespeare’s OTHELLO in cinemas worldwide from 4 March 2026.

OTHELLO stars David Harewood, Toby Jones, Caitlin FitzGerald, Vinette Robinson and Luke Treadaway and is directed by Tom Morris, designed by Ti Green with music by PJ Harvey with Jon Nicholls.  It was filmed live at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London in association with Spiritland Productions, and will be screened in cinemas across the UK, US, Australia and selected international territories from 4 March 2026.

Tickets are on sale now and please click here for more information.

David Harewood, who has just been nominated for a prestigious Critics Circle Award for his role as Othello said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled that our production of OTHELLO is coming to cinemas across the country and globally. This play has always spoken powerfully to questions of identity, belonging and prejudice, and being a part of it feels incredibly meaningful. The energy in the theatre every night is extraordinary, and I’m grateful that anyone will now be able to watch it.’

Toby Jones (Iago) added: ‘I’m so pleased and proud that our production of OTHELLO is being made available to cinemagoers around the world. From our earliest discussions about the play we have been determined to shape and propel this tragic story with the momentum and tension of a cinematic thriller. I’m confident that the film will deliver much of the shock and release that the production has excited at the Haymarket Theatre.’

Caitlin FitzGerald (Desdemona) said: ‘Bringing Desdemona to life has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. OTHELLO is a story that still speaks urgently to who we are — our fears, our trust, our love, and our vulnerabilities. I’m thrilled to see it released on the big screen worldwide. My hope is that audiences everywhere will feel the beauty and the heartbreak of Shakespeare’s world in a way that feels alive, immediate, and deeply human.’

Chris Harper said: ‘We are so proud of Tom Morris’s powerful new production of OTHELLO starring the incredible David Harewood in the title role, the magnificent Toby Jones as Iago and the wonderful Caitlin FitzGerald as Desdemona. The production [had been] thrilling audiences at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London’s West End and we are delighted to be working with Trafalgar Releasing for the first time to take the play out to a wider audience The upcoming cinema release of OTHELLO means that theatre fans and young people studying Shakespeare across the UK and the world will have the chance to see this extraordinary production on the big screen.’

Trafalgar Releasing’s CEO, Marc Allenby commented, ‘It’s great to be working with Chris Harper Productions for the first time to bring this cinematic and powerful production of OTHELLO to cinemas around the world. Theatre remains a key driver of Event Cinema box office success and Trafalgar Releasing, in association with Spiritland Productions, is producing and financing the filming of OTHELLO as we continue to build our wide-ranging portfolio of cultural content captured especially for the big screen.’

Shakespeare’s OTHELLO rages to life like never before in a ‘compelling’ (★★★★ Telegraph) new production starring David Harewood OBE (Homeland, Best of Enemies), Toby Jones OBE (Mr Bates vs the Post Office, Detectorists), Caitlin FitzGerald (Succession, Masters of Sex), Vinette Robinson (Boiling Point) and Luke Treadaway (A Street Cat Named Bob).

Directed by Tony Award-winner Tom Morris OBE (War Horse, Dr Semmelweis, The Grinning Man) with music by PJ Harvey and Jon Nicholls, this epic story of manipulation, jealousy and toxic masculinity explores the darker side of power, rage and desire. Filmed live at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London especially for the big screen, this is ‘an electrifying star-studded Othello.’ (★★★★ Mail on Sunday)

The full cast of OTHELLO is: David Harewood (Othello), Toby Jones (Iago), Caitlin FitzGerald (Desdemona), Vinette Robinson (Emilia),  Luke Treadaway (Cassio), David Ahmad (Gratiano), Gethin Alderman (Nicos), Ewan Black (Montano and Fight Captain), Tom Byrne (Roderigo), Jonathan Cobb (Telemachos), Peter Guinness (Brabantio), Felix Hayes (Duke of Venice), Jasmin Hinds (Julio/Julia), Wela Mbusi (Memet and Marcus), Jude Owusu (Lodovico), Tom Peters (Vincenzio) and Rose Riley (Bianca).

OTHELLO is produced by Chris Harper Productions, Access Entertainment, Kevin and Kate McGrath with Catherine Schreiber, Michael Watt Productions, Carolyn Lawson, Laurence Myers, James Seabright.

OTHELLO will be released in cinemas nationwide from 4 March 2026. Tickets are on sale now and click here for more information.

BBFC: 12A / Runtime: 165 minutes

Social Media: @OthelloInCinemas @ChrisHarperProductions

@TrafalgarReleasing Facebook, X and Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

YouTube Link to Trailer here