Gossip

Benedict Cumberbatch's Hamlet coming to Barbican in 2015?

Producer Sonia Friedman is in ‘final negotiations’ with the east London venue

Benedict Cumberbatch last year
Benedict Cumberbatch last year
© Dan Wooller

Benedict Cumberbatch will reportedly play Hamlet at the Barbican next year.

According to the Daily Mail, the Sherlock star will play the Dane in a 12 week run from August 2015, directed, as previously announced, by Lyndsey Turner (Chimerica).

Hamlet's producer, Sonia Friedman, confirmed that "final negotiations" are underway with the Barbican.

Cumberbatch's previous stage credits include Frankenstein and After the Dance at the National, and Hedda Gabler, which transferred from the Almeida Theatre to the West End.

His TV and film credits include Star Trek, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, 12 Years a Slave and the title role in popular BBC series Sherlock.

He'll become the latest in a plethora of big names to tackle Shakespeare's biggest role in recent times. Others include Michael Sheen (Young Vic), Rory Kinnear (National), John Simm (Sheffield Theatres) and Jude Law (Donmar West End).

See also: 20 Questions with Benedict Cumberbatch

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