Hiran Abeysekera Brings His Acclaimed Hamlet to Brooklyn

The actor reprises his powerful performance of the iconic Shakespearean role at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:10pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, shimmering theater curtain in dramatic, high-contrast lighting, capturing the emotional intensity and high-stakes drama of a Shakespearean performance.The glittering, textured curtain of the Brooklyn Academy of Music stage sets the scene for Hiran Abeysekera's highly anticipated reprisal of his acclaimed Hamlet performance.NYC Today

Hiran Abeysekera, the acclaimed British actor, is set to bring his acclaimed portrayal of Hamlet to the Brooklyn Academy of Music after a successful run at the National Theatre in London. Abeysekera reflects on first being asked to take on the iconic role, the pressure and self-doubt he felt, and how he aims to connect with the New York audience in a different way compared to the London production.

Why it matters

Hamlet is one of the most challenging and renowned roles in all of theater, and Abeysekera's performance has been widely praised for its emotional depth and physicality. His interpretation of the character's inner turmoil and relationship with the audience is seen as a fresh take on the classic play, making his Brooklyn run highly anticipated.

The details

Abeysekera was initially approached by Rob Hastie, the incoming associate artistic director of the National Theatre, who asked him to take on the role of Hamlet. Despite Abeysekera's self-doubt, Hastie and Indhu Rubasingham, the artistic director of the National, expressed their belief in the actor's ability to tackle the demanding part. Abeysekera's Hamlet was well-received during its London run, with the actor noting the importance of connecting with the audience through the character's soliloquies. As he prepares to bring the production to New York, Abeysekera is anticipating a different audience dynamic and is slightly apprehensive about revisiting the role, having underestimated the weight and pressure of performing such an iconic Shakespearean character.

  • Abeysekera was first approached by Rob Hastie about the role of Hamlet in 2025.
  • Abeysekera's acclaimed run of Hamlet at the National Theatre in London took place in 2026.
  • Abeysekera is set to reprise his Hamlet performance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in April 2026.

The players

Hiran Abeysekera

A British actor who is set to reprise his acclaimed performance as Hamlet at the Brooklyn Academy of Music after a successful run at the National Theatre in London.

Rob Hastie

The incoming associate artistic director of the National Theatre, who approached Abeysekera about taking on the role of Hamlet.

Indhu Rubasingham

The artistic director of the National Theatre, who expressed her belief in Abeysekera's ability to portray the iconic Shakespearean character.

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What they’re saying

“Rob [Hastie] messaged me, asking if I would like to come for a coffee. We sat outside the Understudy on the South Bank of the Thames, and he said that he was going to come and join Indhu [Rubasingham, artistic director of the National]. I asked him what he'd like to do, and he said that he'd like to do Hamlet with me. He just dropped it—he said, 'What do you say?'”

— Hiran Abeysekera, Actor

“I'm so grateful for what Indhu and Rob are doing with me, because I feel like, with roles like Hamlet and then The Jungle Book, there is this belief that they're putting in me, and that's making me feel much stronger and capable of these things. I have such self-doubt, and when people like Indhu and Rob put their belief in me—I'm hugely grateful for that.”

— Hiran Abeysekera, Actor

What’s next

Abeysekera's run of Hamlet at the Brooklyn Academy of Music is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with the actor eager to see how the New York audience will respond to his interpretation of the iconic role.

The takeaway

Hiran Abeysekera's acclaimed portrayal of Hamlet, which has been praised for its emotional depth and physicality, is set to reach a new audience in New York, showcasing the actor's talent and the continued relevance of Shakespeare's classic play in the modern era.