Andrew Scott to play Hamlet in new Almeida Theatre season

Sherlock star Andrew Scott will take on Hamlet as part of the Almeida Theatre's new season.

The production will be directed by Robert Icke, who had recent hits with 1984, Uncle Vanya and Oresteia. Hamlet will mark Scott's Almeida Theatre debut, and will run in February 2017 with dates TBC. Juliet Stevenson will play Gertrude.

Ralph Fiennes will also appear in the season, starring in the title role in Shakespeare's Richard III. The production will be directed by Rupert Goold, artistic director at the Almeida. The show will run from 7 June until 6 August with opening night on 14 June. Vanessa Redgrave will be making her Almeida debut in the production, as Queen Margaret. The rest of the cast includes David Annen, Tom Canton, James Garnon, Mark Hadfield, Scott Handy, Finbar Lynch, Aislίn McGuckin, Joseph Mydell, Joshua Riley, Lukas Rolfe and Joanna Vanderham.

A new play by Adam Brace They Drink It In the Congo (12 August to 1 October) will also feature in the line up, directed by Michael Longhurst. The play looks at the problems of trying to do something good about something bad through the story of a woman trying to set up a music festival to raise awareness of the Congo.

The season also features a world premiere from Ella Hickson of her new play Oil (7 October to 26 November). Oil will be directed by Carrie Cracknell and looks at the world's relationship with the natural resource.

Goold said: "We’re thrilled to present a season of plays which, whether classic drama or new writing, ask the big questions the Almeida is renowned for. How far will someone go for power? And what can one person do about global, international problems?"