The production will be directed by Daniel Raggett and feature Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth. Heughan and Williams have discussed innovative settings for the play, considering contemporary options such as the conflict in Ukraine or an American backdrop
Sam Heughan, best known for his role as Jamie Fraser in Outlander, is set to star as Macbeth in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s upcoming production, marking his debut with the prestigious theatre company. This will be Heughan’s first RSC role in 12 years, and he expressed his excitement about returning to the stage, calling it “the drug I’m looking for,” according to Deadline.
Trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Heughan has long been drawn to Macbeth. He fondly recalled being mesmerized by Derek Jacobi’s performance in Adrian Noble’s RSC production and even appearing as an extra in a 2008 Macbeth production at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. “I remember just going full circle… going back to the very first show I ever did in youth theatre,” he shared.
For over a decade, Heughan’s life has been dominated by his portrayal of Jamie Fraser, but he’s eager to embrace new challenges. “It becomes your life a hundred percent. And in some ways that’s fantastic, and I’ve been very lucky… So this is really cool. It’s a chance for me to sort of find out who I am again,” he explained.
The production will be directed by Daniel Raggett and feature Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth. Heughan and Williams have discussed innovative settings for the play, considering contemporary options such as the conflict in Ukraine or an American backdrop. “We’ve been talking about lots of different ways of portraying it… It could be kind of set anywhere,” Heughan said. Heughan also teased future Outlander-related projects, including a potential Comic-Con event celebrating the prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood, which premieres on August 8. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await Season 8 of Outlander, expected to air next year.
