Lupita Nyong'o & Brother To Star in US-Based Broadcast of Shakespeare Play

Kenyan award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is set to share the stage with her younger brother, Junior Nyong’o, in a landmark production of Twelfth Night that will now reach audiences across the United States through Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

The siblings will take on the iconic roles of Viola and Sebastian, Shakespeare’s famous twins, in The Public Theatre’s star-studded staging of the classic comedy. This marks the first time the Nyong’o siblings will perform together professionally—a moment Lupita described as “deeply meaningful.”

“I can genuinely say that we've been preparing for these roles all our lives,” Lupita shared on Instagram ahead of the production's debut.

The highly anticipated play, directed by Saheem Ali and condensed into a 90-minute performance, will air nationally on November 14 as part of PBS’s Tony Award-winning Great Performances series. The production will stream simultaneously on PBS.org and the PBS app, coinciding with its television broadcast at 9 PM ET.

Photo of Lupita Nyong'o and Junior Nyong'o alongside Sandra Oh (centre). /VANITY FAIR

Star Power at the Delacorte

Alongside Lupita and Junior Nyong’o, the cast features acclaimed performers including Peter Dinklage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Sandra Oh.

Twelfth Night marks the inaugural production at Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre following its $80 million (Ksh10.3 billion) renovation. Officially reopened on August 7, the venue has long been a cornerstone of New York’s Free Shakespeare in the Park tradition, offering free performances to the public—a practice that will continue through both in-person ticket distribution and a digital lottery.

However, with demand typically exceeding supply and attendees often queuing from the early hours to secure seats, PBS’s nationwide broadcast provides a critical alternative for audiences unable to experience the production live.

A Strategic Move Amid Funding Challenges

PBS’s decision to expand access to the production comes at a critical juncture for the broadcaster. Facing potential federal funding cuts under directives from the Trump Administration, PBS is seeking to reaffirm its public service mission.

An executive order issued in May calls for the defunding of both PBS and NPR. Although federal funds account for just 15% of PBS’s annual budget—primarily via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—the U.S. House of Representatives has already approved a proposal to reclaim $1.1 million (Ksh142.3 million) in previously allocated funds. The cuts, now pending Senate review, could severely impact PBS’s ability to serve rural and underserved communities.

In response, PBS has launched a public campaign urging viewers to contact their senators and advocate for continued federal support.

A Broader Cultural Offering

The Twelfth Night broadcast headlines PBS’s upcoming fall arts programming, which includes The Magic of Grace Bumbry (October 3), Tiler Peck: Suspending Time (November 7), The Great War and The Great Gatsby concert at Carnegie Hall (November 11), and Starring Dick Van Dyke (December 12).

All programming will be available for streaming on PBS.org alongside the network’s traditional television broadcasts.

For fans of Shakespeare, theatre, or the Nyong’o family, the November broadcast offers a rare opportunity to experience a world-class stage production without leaving home.

With its timeless themes of mistaken identity, love, and comedic revelry, Twelfth Night promises to deliver a memorable performance—this time, with a personal twist as the Nyong’o siblings bring sibling chemistry to Shakespeare’s beloved twins.

Collage of Lupita Nyong'o and Junior Nyong'o. /FILE