Actress Sharon D Clarke is undergoing treatment for cancer, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced. The 60-year-old star, famed for playing Lola Griffin in Holby City and Grace O'Brien in Doctor Who, was recently cast as the lead in the RSC's upcoming production of Othello.
Production Postponed
The theatre show was originally scheduled to run from February 13 to April 3 2027 at the Swan theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. However, the production will now be pushed back while Clarke undergoes her cancer treatment, and the new dates are yet to be confirmed.
The RSC said the actress will be "taking some time and space she needs to undertake treatment." In her own statement, Clarke said: "I would like to thank all the beautiful people at the RSC for their understanding, love, support and healing energy. Othello will be my north star as I undergo treatment."
Support and Refunds
She said that her family and wife - director Susie McKenna - were "overwhelmed, humbled and buoyed by the tidal wave of love that we have received and are so blessed to have an army of strength and support to hold us up. Love and thanks to my beautiful people."
The RSC confirmed that anyone with tickets to see Othello would be refunded and a replacement production period would be announced at a later date.
Director's Tribute
Monique Touko, who is directing the production, has shared her support for Clarke. She said: "On behalf of the entire creative team, we send Sharon all the love for her ongoing treatment and recovery."
"As a director, I have been incredibly blessed to collaborate with Sharon on this major reframing of Shakespeare’s tragedy, which reimagines Shakespeare’s Othello through the lens of misogynoir. Sharon is the ultimate collaborator. Her generosity and passion for this project continues to astound me and I look forward to us coming back together when the time is right to share this production with the world."
Clarke, a three-time Olivier Award winner, recently appeared as the lead - DCI Ellis - in the Channel 5 crime series Ellis. Her other TV credits include the BBC series Informer, Death in Paradise, Casualty, and the voice of Dulcibear in the Wicked film franchise.
