Othello Adaptation to be Shot in Qatar

A bold new cinematic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello is officially set to be filmed in Qatar, bringing Hollywood star power and a modern reimagining of the classic tragedy to the Middle East.

The film will feature Rachel Brosnahan and Cynthia Erivo, with David Oyelowo both directing the project and starring in the titular role. Production is scheduled to take place in Doha in autumn 2026.

A High-Profile International Collaboration

The film is being jointly produced by Barbara Broccoli’s Eon Productions—best known for overseeing the iconic James Bond franchise—and Qatar’s Film Committee. This project marks Broccoli’s first major undertaking since the sale of Bond rights to Amazon MGM.

Broccoli expressed her long-standing passion for the project, saying: “I’ve wanted to produce the cinematic adaptation of ‘Othello’ since we staged the production in New York in 2016.” The upcoming film will be based on that acclaimed 2016 New York Theatre Workshop production, originally directed by Sam Gold.

Star-Studded Cast for a Modern Retelling

David Oyelowo, who leads the adaptation, praised his cast as “fearless actors” ideal for a contemporary vision of Othello.

• David Oyelowo will play Othello and direct the film.

• Rachel Brosnahan, who starred with Oyelowo in the 2016 stage production, returns as Desdemona.

• Cynthia Erivo, a Grammy-, Emmy-, and Tony-winning performer, takes on the role of Emilia.

Oyelowo shared his enthusiasm: “Cynthia is not only a generational talent but a dear friend, and Rachel was a dream to play opposite in our original production. Both are inspiring pillars for this new take on the legendary tale.”

A Contemporary Middle Eastern Setting

Unlike traditional adaptations set in Venice and Cyprus, this film will recontextualize the story in a modern, war-torn desert. According to Deadline, the narrative will unfold in a US military barracks in Iraq, giving Shakespeare’s themes of jealousy, manipulation, and social tension new relevance.

This ambitious reinterpretation aims to bridge classical literature with contemporary geopolitical landscapes, bringing fresh urgency to the centuries-old tragedy.

Qatar’s New Film Incentive in Action

The production will be one of the first major projects to utilize the Qatar Screen Production Incentive, a newly launched national rebate program designed to attract large-scale international filmmaking. This initiative signals Qatar’s growing presence as a global production hub.

Cynthia Erivo’s Continued Momentum

The announcement arrives on the heels of Cynthia Erivo’s major success in Wicked: For Good, which opened to $150 million in North America and over $200 million globally. Playing Elphaba, Erivo helped set a new record for Broadway-to-film adaptations—surpassing the previous benchmark set by 2024’s Wicked.