Riz Ahmed is bringing a familiar tragedy to screens with a striking modern overhaul, and the first footage is finally here.
A newly released trailer offers an early look at ‘Hamlet,’ reimagined through a contemporary lens and anchored by a powerful central performance.
Ahmed steps into the role of Prince Hamlet in the latest screen adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic play, this time set within a British South Asian family living in present-day London. The film reframes the centuries-old story through cultural specificity while preserving its core themes of grief, betrayal, and moral reckoning.
Directed by Aneil Karia and written by Michael Lesslie, the project premiered earlier this year at the Telluride Film Festival, where it quietly generated buzz for its bold approach. Alongside Ahmed, the cast includes Art Malik as Claudius, Joe Alwyn as Laertes, Timothy Spall as Polonius, Morfydd Clark as Ophelia, Sheeba Chaddha as Gertrude, and Avijit Dutt as Hamlet’s father.
Watch the first look trailer:
Distributed by Universal Pictures, ‘Hamlet’ is set to arrive in U.K. cinemas on February 6, 2026. A U.S. release date has yet to be announced.