Linal Haft is to play Shylock in Stafford Festival Shakespeare’s 2019 production of The Merchant of Venice at Stafford Castle.
Haft is best known for playing controlling or manipulative characters in both film and television. His most notable role was as businessman Harry Gold in the BBC soap EastEnders from 2010 to 2011.
Jessica Hardwick, who has worked at the National Theatre of Scotland and Shakespeare’s Globe, will play Portia.
The rest of the cast comprises David Carr (Duke of Venice, Prince of Morocco and Barnardo), Rhiannon Clements (Salarina), Christine Gomes (Nerissa), James Macnaughton (Lorenzo), Paddy Navin (Saliana), Alastair Natkiel (Bassanio), Thom Petty (Antonio), Kate Roche (Lancelot Gobbo and Prince of Arragon), Isabella Rubin (Jessica) and Thomas Winter (Gratiano and Tubal).
Ollie O’Shea directs the Stafford Festival Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice which runs from Thursday 27 June until Saturday 13 July.