Disillusioned Jude Law

Jude Law

Jude Law claims he's been let down by a lot of people. The actor - who has three children, Rafferty, 12, Iris, eight and six-year-old Rudy, with ex-wife Sadie Frost - finds it hard to trust people because of the way he has been treated. Speaking about William Shakespeare's Hamlet - the tragic character he is portraying in a new London theatre production - Jude said: "We've just been rehearsing the scene when Hamlet meets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and it's all about defining who you can and can't trust.

"I'm a lot more cynical now than I was. I used to have optimism and the belief that people would usually do the right thing, and that has been somewhat tainted by experience, which I think mirrors Hamlet's journey. He's let down by people."

Jude admits he was worried about taking on the legendary role of Hamlet but found the courage to accept the opportunity.

The 36-year-old star said: "It's a part I have always wanted to play. I admire and love the play, and have seen many productions of it. And I needed to think about doing it soon because of my age. I'm not 22 any more.

"Every job is a little daunting. This is a little more daunting than the others. But when you stop and consider the beauty and brilliance of the play, it's a no-brainer. It's like, God, I've been asked - I'm going to do it."