Riz Ahmed in talks to star in Netflix film ‘Hamlet’

Emmy-winning British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed is said to be in talks to play the title character in Netflix’s upcoming film ‘Hamlet’, which will present a contemporary take on Shakespeare's tragedy.

Mike Lesslie, who penned 2015's Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender, will write the adaptation, which centres on the revenge Prince Hamlet is determined to wreak upon his uncle, Claudius, by the ghost of his father. The play will, however, move from 17th century Denmark to modern-day London.

If the talks are successful, Ahmed will follow in the footsteps of actors like Kenneth Branagh, Ethan Hawke and Oscar Isaac, who have all played the protagonist.

The ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’ actor won an Emmy for his role in HBO's ‘The Night Of’ earlier this year. His upcoming projects include DC's Venom and drama The Sisters Brothers, in which he stars alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Joaquin Phoenix.