Daniel Radcliffe is set to star in the Broadway premiere of Every Brilliant Thing, the hit one-person play that deals movingly with depression. The actor, who won a Tony award last year for his performance in the Stephen Sondheim revival Merrily We Roll Along, will perform at the Hudson theatre in New York, from 21 February to 24 May 2026.
Written by Duncan Macmillan, along with the show’s original star Jonny Donahoe, the play has been a hit in London’s West End, where it is currently being performed at @sohoplace by Minnie Driver until 8 November. Described by the Guardian as “both heartfelt and buoyant”, it revolves around a child reacting to their mother’s suicide attempt. Determined to help her, they make a list of all the things that make life worth living – with the audience encouraged to join in by shouting out the listed reasons. As the child becomes an adult, the list continues to develop, although it is now the grownups who are in need of reasons to remain hopeful.
The play debuted at the Edinburgh fringe in 2014 and has since become a global phenomenon, performed in more than 80 countries. Since Donahoe first stopped performing it in 2017, the role has been taken on by Sue Perkins, Lenny Henry and Ambika Mod among others.
The play’s structure allows it to be tailored for specific audiences. When Melina Theo starred in the Greek premiere, the text was infused with references to Greek popular culture from the 90s. A reference to a particular brand of ice cream was included in Oliver Chong’s performance in Singapore.
It will be the latest Broadway role for Radcliffe who has previously performed in The Lifespan of a Fact, Privacy and The Cripple of Inishmaan, as well as the record-breaking run of Merrily We Roll Along. The actor, who found fame as a child in the Harry Potter films, first appeared on stage in 2007, playing opposite Richard Griffiths, in Peter Shaffer’s Equus.
“When Daniel told us how much he loved the play, I couldn’t have been more thrilled,” said Macmillan. “He has the intelligence, quick wit and charm to roll with the spontaneous moments that the show invites – he can be a clown one moment, then grab you by the heartstrings the next. He has huge depth and humanity. I can’t wait to get started.”
