Acclaimed Actor Sam Heughan to Tackle Iconic Role of Macbeth

In November 2025, acclaimed actor Sam Heughan is set to take on the iconic role of Macbeth in an upcoming production by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. Heughan, who is 45 years old, will be playing the famed Scottish character in the theater where legendary actors like Ian McKellen and Judi Dench have previously performed the role.

Ahead of the production, McKellen, a stage and screen veteran, offered Heughan some words of wisdom and encouragement. McKellen advised Heughan to remember that the audience is his "best friend" in the play, and to confide in them and tell them the truth, which will help instill a sense of fear in the viewers.

Heughan expressed his gratitude and admiration for McKellen, calling him a "legend of theater" and stating that he looks forward to meeting him. The actor also acknowledged the significance of following in the footsteps of such esteemed performers, saying that he and his co-star have "big shoes to fill."

Despite the long-standing superstitions surrounding the play, Heughan remains optimistic about the upcoming production, believing that there is "good superstition and good witchcraft" surrounding the endeavor. He is excited to bring his own interpretation to the iconic role and believes the experience will be "quite the experience" for both the cast and the audience.