A "Hamlet for our times" - critically acclaimed actress Ruth Negga will star as Hamlet in an upcoming Gate Theatre production.

The actress, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Loving", will play the Danish prince in September's show run. 

It’s not Negga’s first time starring in Shakespeare’s tragedy, either. The 36-year-old thesp previously played Ophelia at the Royal National Theatre in London. 

However, taking on the titular role will be a bold turn for the former Love/Hate star.

Alas, director Yaël Farber has no doubt that the actress is up for the challenge, even describing Negga as a ‘Hamlet of our times”.

“Ruth Negga’s profound gifts as an artist, combined with her meticulously observed and felt sense of the world around her, hold the promise for a Hamlet I believe most needed now,” Farber said.

“If this is to be a Hamlet that can speak such words and 'hold up the mirror' to these extraordinary times, it is a Hamlet that requires an artist of the immense complexity and depth of understanding that I believe Ruth has to bring to this extraordinary text."

After all, Shakespeare himself preferred to recruit young boys to play female characters - so the role is nothing Negga can't pull off with aplomb!

Hamlet will run in September, with a stellar cast that includes Fiona Bell, Gavin Drea, Nick Dunning , Mark Huberman, Gerard Kelly, Conor Madden, Owen Roe and Gerard Walsh.

The media-shy actress, who is based in Hollywood, made a red carpet appearance at the MET Gala earlier this month.

Known for her excellent sartorial style, the Limerick native wowed critics in Louis Vuitton.