Martin Freeman (Sherlock, The Hobbit Trilogy, The Office) will play Richard III, in the first production of JamieLloyd’s second season for Trafalgar Transformed, at Trafalgar Studios. Running from the 1 July to 27 September 2014, Shakespeare’s Richard III follows Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed first season for TrafalgarTransformed, which launched with Macbeth starring James McAvoy, The Hothouse, starring John Simm and Simon Russell Beale and The Pride, starring Hayley Atwell and Matthew Horne. Gina McKee (Di & Viv & Rose, King Lear, Ivanov, Our Friends In The North, Notting Hill) will play Queen Elizabeth.

In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences.