film, Othello, tragedy

2 degrees of Othello

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Just a weird acting/casting tangent (a la “six degrees of Kevin Bacon“):

So, the 1965 version of Othello with Olivier had Maggie Smith in the role of Desdemona.

Maggie Smith as Desdemona with Olivier as Othello (credit: Telegraph)

And the 1981 BBC version with Hopkins had Penelope Wilton in the role.

Penelope Wilton as Desdemona with Hopkins as Olivier (credit: BBC Shakespeare Collection)

Now, both women are wrapping up their run in Downton Abbey.

Smith and Wilton on Downton Abbey (credit: BBC America)

Weird coincidence. (‘specially as there aren’t too many black men–let alone lovers–on that show…)

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