Molly Osborne to Make Broadway Debut as Desdemona in ‘Othello’ Alongside Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal

The fast-rising actress joins the 2025 Broadway revival of Shakespeare’s classic.

It’s been reported that rising West End star Molly Osborne will make her Broadway debut in the spring 2025 revival of Shakespeare’s Othello. The production will feature Osborne as Desdemona, alongside two prominent actors in the lead roles.

Sources indicate that Osborne’s audition tape impressed everyone involved, leading to her immediate casting. One of the stars of the production is soon to be seen in Gladiator 2, while the other is currently starring in the ‘Presumed Innocent’ series on Apple TV+.

The producer of Othello confirmed that both leads had seen Osborne’s audition and approved her for the role. He noted that the search for an actress to play Desdemona was extensive, involving consultations with numerous theatre colleagues in London. Osborne’s name consistently came up during this process.

Osborne, who made her London theatre debut in an acclaimed revival of Fiddler on the Roof, put herself on tape for the role. Her performance impressed the director and producer, leading to a meeting and her eventual casting as Desdemona.

The producer expressed excitement about welcoming Osborne to the Broadway community, highlighting her unique blend of heart, intellect, and natural vulnerability.

Osborne, originally from Wivenhoe in north-eastern Essex, discovered her love for performing at a young age and moved to London at 18 to study musical theatre. Her notable stage credits include roles in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Indecent’, and ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’. She has also appeared in ‘Call the Midwife’ and the Prime Video series ‘Anansi Boys’.

As Osborne prepares for her Broadway debut, she has been delving into ‘Othello’ to understand Desdemona’s character, exploring themes of love, jealousy, and race. She eagerly anticipates beginning rehearsals in New York early next year.

The 2025 revival of ‘Othello’ will open at a yet-to-be-announced Shubert theater, promising a fresh and captivating take on Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy.

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