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Daisy Ridley goes from ‘Star Wars’ to Shakespeare in ‘Ophelia’

This new spin on 'Hamlet' tells the tale from the perspective of the prince's love
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The William Shakespeare play Hamlet has been adapted numerous times, but upcoming film Ophelia tells the tragedy from the point of view of Ophelia, the intended wife of the prince of Denmark. Watch the trailer below.

Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley plays Ophelia in the film, which is adapted from a novel by Lisa Klein and directed by Australian Claire McCarthy. Appearing alongside her are George Mackay as Hamlet, Naomi Watts as Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, and Clive Owen as his uncle, Claudius, the new king of Denmark.

The official synopsis for Ophelia reveals that the film is “set in medieval Denmark and spoken in a modern tongue with a poetic twist … As a rebellious and motherless child, Ophelia (Ridley) is taken into Elsinore Castle by Queen Gerturde (Watts) as one of her most trusted ladies-in-waiting. Soon enough, Ophelia captures the affections of the young Prince Hamlet (George MacKay). A passionate romance kindles between the two in secret as the kingdom is on the brink of war amidst its own political intrigue and betrayal.”

Ophelia is in cinemas on August 1

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Gavin Scott

After cutting his teeth on teen titles Smash Hits and TV Hits (remember them?) in the 2000s, Gavin moved into weekly magazines, working for TV Week for many years and continuing to contribute to that title to this day, and writing for Who, Woman’s Day, New Idea and OK over the past decade or so. He’s also worked for digital outlets, writing and editing for SBS, Pedestrian and Who.com.au, and has hosted and produced TV and music podcasts. Entertainment in all its forms has been Gavin’s focus, whether that be interviewing the latest eliminated contestant from Survivor; reviewing the newest films, TV series and albums; writing opinion pieces about streaming platforms and their offerings; or talking to Australian pop stars past and present about their musical journey. As a long-time freelancer, Gavin goes where the work takes him, with one hand on the remote and the other scrolling through his phone for entertainment updates.

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