Daniel Radcliffe is returning to Broadway this spring in the solo play “Every Brilliant Thing.”
The actor, who became famous for playing the Boy Who Lived in eight wildly popular “Harry Potter” films, won his first Tony Award for the 2023 “Merrily We Roll Along” revival in which he starred alongside Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez. Radcliffe made his Broadway debut in the 2007 play “Equus” and returned to the stage several times over the years in shows such as “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” Martin McDonagh’s “The Cripple of Inishmaan” and “The Lifespan of a Fact.”
“Every Brilliant Thing” was written by playwright Duncan Macmillan with British comedian Jonny Donahoe. The play begins previews on Feb. 21, 2026 ahead of opening night on March 12. The 13-week engagement will run through May 24 at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre.
Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the play follows a man who creates a list of “brilliant things” to cheer up his suicidal mother. A press release describes the show as “exhilarating and heartwarming” that’s “all told through a list of every wonderful, beautiful, and delightful thing — big, small and everything in between — that makes life worth living.” Though it’s billed as a one-man show, “Every Brilliant Thing” involves audience participation. However, Radcliffe assured the New York Times that nobody in the crowd will be required to speak.
“There’s something about the nature of this play and the connection that is being constantly made with the audience, from before the play even starts when I’m out there interacting with people as they come into the room, that I’m very intrigued by and excited by,” he told the Times. “This play is built with the audience new every night.”
“Every Brilliant Thing” was first staged at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and ran in London and Off Broadway in 2014 before expanding to more than 80 countries. It was also adapted into an HBO special starring Donahoe, who originated the lead role. A production is currently running on London’s West End with Minnie Driver.
“’Every Brilliant Thing’ tackles some serious subject matter, but the overall experience is one of joy and celebration,” said Macmillan. “Every performance is unique and unpredictable and it requires virtuosic skill from its central performer. When Daniel told us how much he loved the play, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. 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.”
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