The Documentary Podcast David Harewood: Return to Othello
Oct 27, 2025
David Harewood, an acclaimed actor known for his role in Homeland and the first Black Othello at the National Theatre, discusses his return to the iconic character. Joined by director Tom Morris, they explore the play's contemporary relevance and the challenges of staging themes like jealousy and masculinity. Toby Jones, who plays Iago, shares insights into character motivations and the emotional depths of the rehearsal process. Together, they highlight the play's urgent connection to today's racial and gender politics.
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Harewood's Return To The Text
- David Harewood recounts returning to the play and returning to the text to rediscover meaning.
- He describes a collective unpeeling of the material with Tom Morris's collaborative process.
Use Stand-Up Read-Throughs Early
- Do a stand-up read-through with actors standing and playing early to reveal emotional possibilities.
- Use that energy to set a high bar for subsequent rehearsals and scene work.
Gender Politics Drive The Tragedy
- The play's gender politics, especially objectification and 'unseeing' a person, feel frighteningly current.
- Tom Morris links that dynamic to how language corrodes relationships and enables violence.
