David Harewood believes young actors are "a bit mollycoddled"

In an interview with The Independent newspaper, Harewood explained: "There is a fine line between coddling actors and allowing them to talk about when they are uncomfortable. I certainly grew up in a generation when there was none of that and I think I've suffered and benefited.

"I do think young actors now are a bit mollycoddled. They might say: 'Oh, I don't want to do that. It makes me uncomfortable,' whereas I think, and maybe this is just the generation I grew up in, but sometimes you do have to feel uncomfortable."

Speaking about the drama therapist being used for the Othello cast at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Harewood - who is playing the title role - said: "She helps us realise those darker moments in the room," while his co-star Toby Jones - who has been cast as Iago - joked: "It's odd because I think, what have people done previously to this, you know? And I guess the answer is, go to the pub!"

Jones went on to add: "I thought, what is she going to do? It was so unusual. The way my generation was trained was so different; you had to learn to be tough and to be tough with each other. But then there was misogyny as a result."

Caitlin FitzGerald - who is starring as Desdemona - went on to insist having the drama therapist has been helpful - especially as she's been having nightmares since taking on the role.

She explained: "You can go to these dark, murky, messy places and then hopefully leave it behind at the end of the day. Speaking for myself, I need to leave the theatre not feeling like a victim.

"I have been having nightmares about men killing me, so maybe I need to work with her a little more."

Othello runs at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until January.