National Theatre Live: Hamlet

This drama is a modern adaptation of the tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It focuses on Prince Hamlet, a young man caught between his personal doubts and his sense of duty. Surrounded by the pressures of privilege and power, he struggles with a fundamental internal conflict as he navigates the corruption within the state of Denmark.

The production was directed by Robert Hastie and Christine Lalla. For Hastie, this is the first of three films released in 2026, followed by Summerfolk and National Theatre at Home: Summerfolk. Lalla directed this project after National Theatre Live: Dear England in 2024 and National Theatre Live: The Misanthrope in 2026. The film was produced in the United Kingdom by the National Theatre and has a runtime of 160 minutes.

Hiran Abeysekera stars as the title character, appearing alongside Alistair Petrie as Claudius, Geoffrey Streatfeild as Polonius, and Ayesha Dharker as Gertrude. The cast also includes Francesca Mills as Ophelia and Ryan Ellsworth, who portrays the Ghost, the Player King, and the First Gravedigger. Released on January 22, 2026, the film presents a stylish and darkly comedic take on the original story.