According to press materials, "It will be the first of a number of exciting creative collaborations with the theatre." She has previously starred there in Rutherford and Son, The Children's Hour and Miss Juliet. The role of Hamlet will reunite her with artistic director Frankcom, following The Masque of Anarchy that was staged as part of the Manchester International Festival.

Peake, whose TV credits include "Silk," "The Village," "Red Riding," "See No Evil" and a BAFTA-nominated performance in "Hancock and Joan," commented in a press statement, "Sarah and I have looked for a project that would stretch and excite us and Hamlet just seemed the the next natural step to challenge us both in so many ways. I am so excited how gender swapping can affect and throw up new ways of looking at this theatrical masterpiece; then to be asked to join the Exchange as an Artistic Associate was just the cherry on the cake."

She added, "I am so honoured to be part of this building’s future for a little while, especially in this climate of savage cuts when more than ever we need to support our wonderful regional theatres. I feel no need to compete with London - more than ever local people need a voice and a creative outlet in these extreme times and I feel the Exchange has a huge role to play in that."