Othello

Othello

An Explosive 21st Century Adaptation From Masterpiece Theatre

2001 · 98 min · ★ 6.9 · Drama

With freshly rechristened characters and brand-new dialogue, this British TV production of Othello is a "rethinking" of Shakespeare's play, albeit still retaining the original's power and potency. The story is set in the London of the near future, a crime-ridden metropolis virtually torn apart by racial hostilities. By order of the Prime Minister, black police officer John Othello (Eamonn Walker) is promoted to Commissioner, a post dearly coveted by Othello's friend, mentor and fellow officer Ben Jago (Christopher Eccleston). Seething with jealousy, Jago contrives to discredit Othello in the eyes of the public, and to destroy John's interracial marriage to the lily-white Dessie (Keeley Hawes). Among those used as unwitting dupes to gain Jago's ends are Othello's trusted lieutenant, Michael Cass (Richard Coyle), scrupulously honest police constable Alan Roderick (Del Synnott), and Jago's own wife, Lulu (Rachael Stirling).

Directed by Geoffrey Sax · Written by Andrew Davies

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Cast

Christopher Eccleston Ben Jago
Eamonn Walker John Othello
Keeley Hawes Dessie Brabant
Richard Coyle Michael Cass
Rachael Stirling Lulu
Del Synnott Alan Roderick
Michelle Newell Alma
Christopher Fox PC Adey
Bill Paterson Sinclair Carver
Carl McCrystal Geoffrey
Tim Faraday Chief Superintendent
Joss Ackland James Brabant

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