Riz Ahmed Stars in a Gritty Modern Take on Hamlet Set in London’s South Asian Community
The upcoming adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic play, Hamlet, is generating significant buzz as it heads for a 2026 Oscars nomination for Best Picture. Titled Hamnet, this contemporary retelling is set to debut in theaters on April 10.
The first trailer, released by Vertical, showcases Riz Ahmed in the lead role as he navigates themes of revenge and corruption within a family. Directed by Aneil Karia and scripted by Michael Lesslie, this adaptation offers a visually striking reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy.
Set against the backdrop of London’s elite South Asian community, the narrative follows Hamlet (played by Ahmed) as he returns home for his father’s funeral. He is shocked to find his uncle Claudius (Art Malik) marrying his recently widowed mother, Gertrude (Sheeba Chaddha). Haunted by the ghost of his father (Avijit Dutt), Hamlet learns that Claudius is responsible for the murder, prompting a journey of vengeance and introspection.
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“My uncle is the cause of all this,” Ahmed’s character declares in the emotionally charged trailer. “There is a villain dwelling in our home here.”
Riz Ahmed in ‘Hamlet’
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in August and features a talented cast, including Morfydd Clark as Ophelia, Joe Alwyn as Laertes, and Timothy Spall as Polonius.
