Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal bring a futuristic ‘Othello’ to Broadway

Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal bring Shakespeare’s Othello to Broadway in a bold new futuristic production.

Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal are bringing Shakespeare’s Othello to Broadway in a bold new production set in the near future.

The highly anticipated play explores themes of betrayal and revenge, with Washington playing Othello and Gyllenhaal taking on the role of Iago.

In an interview with 60 Minutes, the two actors discussed their deep connections to Shakespeare. Washington, who first played Othello in college, brings decades of experience to the role. He emphasized how his long career in film and theater has shaped his approach to Shakespeare’s tragic hero.

For Gyllenhaal, stepping into the role of Iago is a career milestone. He shared that playing the iconic villain has been a lifelong dream and that he and Washington have worked their entire careers for a moment like this.

Directed by a renowned Broadway visionary, the production features a modernized, near-futuristic setting, adding a fresh take to the classic tragedy. The decision to update the play’s time period is meant to resonate with contemporary audiences while preserving Shakespeare’s powerful language and themes.

With two of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors leading the cast, Othello is expected to be one of Broadway’s most talked-about productions of the year, drawing both Shakespeare enthusiasts and new theatergoers alike.