Stafford Gatehouse Theatre has announced that Netflix star Matthew Duckett is to play the role of Richard III in next year’s Stafford Shakespeare production.

The highly-acclaimed actor, who recently appeared in Lady Chatterley’s Lover on the global streaming service, comes with a wealth of acting experience on stage and screen, including a spell at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The show is being directed by Richard Cheshire, who also oversaw this year’s hugely successful Hamlet, and will run from 23 June - 4 July 2026.

Taking about the role, Matthew said: "I’m very excited to be taking on this role – it’s one I’ve been wanting to tackle fully for a very long time.

It’s a play I first worked on back in my university days when I worked on some scenes under Richard Cheshire, so I feel it’s really coming full circle to take on the role under him on the big stage in a prestigious production such as this."

He added: "I was fortunate to understudy Arthur Hughes, who became the first disabled actor to play Richard in an RSC production a few years ago. To watch and understand his process was very enlightening, but to be able to look at it afresh from my own perspective and put my own stamp on the part is possibly what I’m looking forward to most.

I was part of that RSC company but of course, as understudy, you’re always waiting for your chance. As luck would have it, Arthur was the healthiest he’d ever been during the run so I never got to step up – which is typical I suppose! – but he was absolutely brilliant and I learned a lot from being involved."

As for the role itself, Matthew, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy, added: "Richard III is such a great character to play; he can be very charming and he’s very charismatic. He wins people round with personality and wit, but equally there’s a very dark side to him too.

I’m really looking forward to working with Richard Cheshire again and seeing the production take shape. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m really looking forward to next summer – I hear nothing but good things about the town, the Gatehouse Theatre and Stafford Shakespeare itself.

It’s a really exciting project and I can’t wait for the opening night."

Matthew’s other credits include All’s Well That Ends Well at the RSC in 2022, time at the National Theatre and a role in A Confession, starring Martin Freeman (ITV1).

Director Richard Cheshire said: "I'm delighted to be working with Matthew again after seeing his career develop so brilliantly. He's an amazing talent and it's a real coup for us to have him with us."

Stafford Shakespeare producer Gary Stevens said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have secured Matthew for the title role of Richard III. He is exceptionally talented and in great demand.

It’s another feather in the cap for Stafford Shakespeare that we have been able to attract someone of his calibre and profile to what should be another successful production in 2026."

Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01785 619080 or gatehousetheatre.co.uk.