Why did Ian McKellen play Iago (from Othello) with a northern accent?
Ian Mc Kellen is from Burnley in Lancashire so this is his natural accent as opposed to RP (also why he had a burning ambition to be in Coronation Street – which he fulfilled) Iago is a soldier but because of his humble background he will never rise further up the ranks. This is why he becomes so jealous of Othello, who despite being a “Moor” (who he believes is in some way racially inferior to himself) , has achieved greater status than himself. Think of him as being the square bashing sergeant major to Othello’s commissioned officer from Sandhurst!
