Kenneth Branagh Returns to RSC for Dual Shakespeare, Chekhov Roles

Kenneth Branagh is returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon after more than 30 years, starring as Prospero in The Tempest and performing alongside Helen Hunt in Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard during the 2026 season. This marks Branagh's first time playing Prospero and his first RSC role since Hamlet in the early 1990s, with the productions directed by Sir Richard Eyre and RSC co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey, respectively. The RSC's upcoming season also features Mark Gatiss debuting as Arturo Ui in Bertolt Brecht’s political satire on Hitler’s rise, highlighting the company's commitment to radical and resonant theatre that reflects urgent contemporary issues like the threat of fascism. Artistic directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans emphasize the RSC as a creative home for passionate actors and playwrights, aiming to deepen understanding through storytelling in a volatile world. Branagh’s return represents a significant theatrical event, blending his storied Shakespearean legacy with a fresh creative energy at Stratford. Alongside Branagh, the season includes a diverse company of celebrated actors and new productions that underscore the RSC’s dedication to both classic and timely works.