**Outlander’s Sam Heughan Cast as Macbeth in Prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company Debut**
In what promises to be a thrilling highlight of the upcoming theatre season, Sam Heughan, widely recognised for his iconic role as Jamie Fraser in the TV series *Outlander*, is set to graces the stage as Macbeth in his first-ever performance with the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). This marks a significant career milestone for the Scottish actor, as the RSC revealed details of its 2025/2026 line-up, sparking excitement among theatre lovers and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike.
The RSC’s bold new adaptation of *Macbeth* will take place at The Other Place theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare himself, running from 9 October through 6 December 2025. Heughan, now 45, will step into the shoes of one of Shakespeare’s most tormented and complex characters, sharing the stage with the acclaimed Lia Williams, best known for her performance in *The Day Of The Jackal*, who will portray Lady Macbeth.
Reflecting on his journey, Heughan expressed poignant nostalgia. “At eighteen, I was just a spear-carrier on the stage of the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, never dreaming I’d one day portray Macbeth,” he recalled. “To return to the theatre, after more than a decade predominantly in television and film, feels like coming full circle.” Heughan’s passion for the role is clear, emphasising his affinity for the Scottish play’s raw intensity and psychological depth.
Heughan’s appointment adds his name to an illustrious list of actors, including David Tennant, Sir Ian McKellen, and Ralph Fiennes, each of whom has delivered their own memorable takes on the tragic Scottish general, whose ambition leads him down a path of murder and madness. The RSC’s decision to mount an intimate production at The Other Place signals their intent to create an immersive experience that draws audiences close to the raw emotions at the heart of the drama.
Alongside *Macbeth*, the RSC’s programming for the season is notably ambitious, showcasing a mixture of classic and contemporary works. In January 2026, The Other Place will also stage *All Is But Fantasy*, a pair of performances that reconsider the stories of four legendary Shakespearean personas. The first delves into the fates of Lady Macbeth and Emilia from *Othello*, both navigating their own tragic downfalls, while the second chronicles Juliet from *Romeo and Juliet* and the ruthless Richard III.
Diversifying its portfolio, the RSC is also set to present a fresh adaptation of *Cyrano de Bergerac* at the Swan Theatre, starring the Olivier award-winning Adrian Lester. This production of Edmond Rostand’s celebrated play will run from late September through mid-November. Meanwhile, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre will see *Harry Potter* alum Alfred Enoch take centre stage as Henry V, beginning in March 2026.
Further highlights of the forthcoming season include an abridged 80-minute staging of *King Lear* and a two-part dramatisation of John Galsworthy’s *The Forsyte Saga*, as well as a planned tour of *King Lear*. Meanwhile, the RSC continues to expand its reach beyond Stratford, with plays staged in London’s West End – most notably, Liz Duffy Adams’s *Born With Teeth* will premiere at Wyndham’s Theatre, featuring Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel as rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare, respectively.
Across the Atlantic, Lolita Chakrabarti’s stage adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel *Hamnet* will embark on a three-date US tour in spring 2026, reflecting the company’s global ambitions and its commitment to taking bold new works to international audiences.
RSC co-artistic directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans summed up the season’s spirit, pointing to its international outlook and the company’s efforts to continually reimagine what it means to perform Shakespeare in the modern era. They celebrated the presence of high-profile newcomers – Heughan, Williams, Lester and a host of emerging and established playwrights and directors – as emblematic of the RSC’s intent to foster creative innovation.
As anticipation builds for Sam Heughan’s debut, the RSC’s 2025/2026 programme reaffirms its position as a vital force in world theatre, bringing Shakespeare’s legacy into sharp contemporary focus and enticing audiences to experience classic tales anew.