Before his global fame, New York life, or fatherhood, Daniel Radcliffe found joy in simple things: Bart Simpson, ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ bouncy castles, and vinegar-drenched fries on what he jokingly calls ‘English beaches.’ Now, he’s reflecting on these everyday delights as he steps into a poignant new Broadway role. He’ll portray a character who, as a child, compiles a list of reasons to cherish life, hoping to support his mother struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Radcliffe’s return to Broadway, at 36, comes as quite a surprise, even to him. After dedicating nearly two years to the acclaimed revival of ‘Merrily We Roll Along,’ which earned him his first Tony Award in 2024, he’d planned a hiatus from the stage. With a toddler, a new TV series, and a writing project underway, his plate already seemed full.
Daniel Radcliffe, starring in “Every Brilliant Thing,” an interactive solo performance, eagerly anticipates the unique contributions each audience will bring nightly.
However, a determined director presented him with the script for ‘Every Brilliant Thing.’ Despite never having seen the production, Radcliffe immediately recognized the kind of challenge that has defined his unconventional career: ‘This seems perilous. I should do that.’
He shared, ‘Sometimes I find myself growing a little too comfortable, realizing it’s been too long since I’ve tackled something genuinely daunting.’
He referenced a widely shared David Lynch quote, noting, ‘Lynch said that every lesson he learned came from trying something new, and I believe this play will be that experience for me.’
The true test lies in the play’s interactive format: Radcliffe is the sole professional actor, yet the audience becomes co-performers through voluntary participation. This means the actor, who spent a decade as Harry Potter, eliciting powerful emotions from millions, will now engage in improvisation and role-playing with strangers eight times a week.
Acknowledging the potential complexities of interacting with an audience, Radcliffe admitted, ‘Some people can get quite intense around famous figures.’ However, he hopes ‘the inherent warmth people feel for Harry Potter, and by extension, me, will encourage them to join in.’
Radcliffe in the 2001 film, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Credit: Warner Bros.
‘Every Brilliant Thing’ is an 85-minute exploration of gratitude, grief, resilience, and human connection, interwoven with music. Originating from a short monologue by Duncan Macmillan two decades ago, it was expanded into a full-length play by Macmillan and comedian Jonny Donahoe, with Donahoe first performing it in 2013.
Since its debut, the play has achieved global recognition, performed in 66 countries and translated into 44 languages. Notable adaptations include Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s performance in a music festival tent, Minnie Driver’s run in the West End, living room stagings in Bangladesh, and a rotating cast of 11 actors in Argentina. Jonny Donahoe, who originated the role and performed it over 400 times, also starred in an Off-Broadway production in 2014, available on HBO Max.
Radcliffe, keen to forge his own unique interpretation, has deliberately avoided seeing previous productions. He has, however, meticulously studied the script’s 73 footnotes—Macmillan’s evolving collection of insights and anecdotes from past stagings. These notes are adapted for each performer and location; for instance, a special nod to Bart Simpson is included for Radcliffe, a self-proclaimed ‘Simpsons’ enthusiast.
An ‘Everyman Quality’
Radcliffe will perform the play at the Hudson Theater, a 975-seat venue, making it the largest space the show has occupied. Coincidentally, it’s also where his Tony-winning ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ was revived. During our interview in a spacious lounge there, Radcliffe playfully insisted we relocate after spotting himself in a cast photo on the wall, exclaiming, ‘Oh, no, not under that!’
In conversation, Radcliffe is remarkably engaging—present, thoughtful, and deeply reflective about his career. While maintaining clear personal boundaries, he reveals a patient, unpretentious demeanor and a strong sense of self-awareness regarding his craft.
“There’s a lot about this character that I relate to, both in the way that sadness hits them, and in the way that they find joy,” Radcliffe shared.
Our conversation frequently turned to the topic of fame, especially how it might influence an intimate, interactive solo performance. Radcliffe noted that people often seek him out in public, eager to share their stories. While he remains gracious, managing these interactions can be overwhelming, prompting him to often wear a hat and mask when out. He also mentioned that his friends now prefer socializing at home. During a rehearsal, it became clear that the play’s sensitive themes might encourage some audience members to approach him at the stage door to share their personal struggles. ‘That’s been happening for years anyway,’ Radcliffe acknowledged. ‘I’m accustomed to some very intense, and sometimes truly lovely, interactions, but there are also times when I have to suggest they seek professional help.’
Jeremy Herrin, co-directing the Broadway production alongside Macmillan, believes Radcliffe brings a unique depth to the role. Audiences, remembering him as a child actor, might experience an added emotional intensity as his character delves into his own childhood. Herrin remarked, ‘He possesses an everyman quality, doesn’t he? An inherent optimism and resilience.’
Radcliffe, however, offered a different perspective on his connection to the role. ‘I relate deeply to this character,’ he stated, ‘both in how sadness affects them and how they discover joy. I’ve personally experienced sadness and the profound helplessness of witnessing loved ones struggle.’ While he chose not to elaborate, he added, ‘By 36, it would be rare not to have known someone who has faced difficulties.’
Set to begin previews on February 21st, ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ is just one of Radcliffe’s current ventures. He’s also co-starring with Tracy Morgan in the new NBC sitcom, ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,’ playing a disgraced filmmaker hired by a scandal-ridden football player (Morgan) to aid his comeback.
Radcliffe (center) with Lindsay Mendez and Jonathan Groff in “Merrily We Roll Along,” for which he earned a Tony in 2024. Credit: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
Tracy Morgan enthusiastically praised Radcliffe, describing him as humble, kind, and humorous. He also highlighted an unexpected bonus: ‘Working with Daniel Radcliffe,’ Morgan quipped, ‘I became a cool dad.’
Radcliffe’s post-Potter career is now famously unpredictable. Bryan Cranston, another actor who successfully transitioned between screen and stage, remarked, ‘Few have made that shift as smoothly as he has; he’s truly committed to theater, and it serves him well.’ Even before the final Potter film in 2011, Radcliffe challenged himself with a naked Broadway debut in ‘Equus’ (2008) and later portrayed a flatulent corpse in the film ‘Swiss Army Man.’ Robert Carlock, a creator of ‘Reggie Dinkins,’ observed, ‘He’s clearly prioritizing creative fulfillment over financial gain, and it looks like he’s having a lot of fun.’
Radcliffe recognizes the unique privilege of choosing projects based solely on his artistic preferences.
He explained, ‘My strength as an actor lies in understanding my capabilities. I’m drawn to roles that are sweet and kindhearted, yet possess a touch of the weird or dark—that’s truly my comfort zone.’
When asked why he continues to work despite not needing to, he replied, ‘It’s a funny question. I’ve been working since I was nine; I don’t know life without some form of this. We all need distractions until the end, and acting is a wonderfully fun way to do that.’
New Commitments
However, fatherhood has introduced new complexities to his career choices. Radcliffe noted, ‘The threshold for what will pull me away from my family has undeniably risen.’
His new role as a father also motivated him to finally quit smoking. ‘I’d been doing it long enough,’ he admitted, ‘and frankly, I started having intrusive thoughts about my own mortality and not being there to see him grow up.’
Jeremy Herrin, co-director of “Every Brilliant Thing,” describes Radcliffe as having “an everyman quality, an optimism, and a resilience.”
Radcliffe initially declined an offer to perform ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ in London, as he resides in New York with his girlfriend, Erin Darke, and their son. However, he embraced the opportunity to bring it to Broadway, where evening performances allow him to spend daytime hours with his child.
Describing his son as ‘a ball of joy—so happy, funny, and sweet—which I find both beautiful and heartbreaking,’ Radcliffe admits to feeling intensely protective. ‘I suddenly understand every parental instinct to home-school and move to the woods,’ he confessed.
His son is currently too young to grasp his father’s profession or the world of Harry Potter. When asked if he’ll read the books to him, Radcliffe stated, ‘If he shows interest, absolutely. But I won’t push it; he’ll discover them eventually.’ He also shared a rather pleasant thought: his son might first encounter Potter through the upcoming HBO series, rather than his own films. ‘Ideally, I can just put that on, and he won’t have to watch me,’ he mused. (Regarding his past disagreements with J.K. Rowling over gender identity, Radcliffe offered ‘no comment,’ explaining, ‘The moment I discuss that, it overshadows everything else.’)
Radcliffe is committed to ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ until May 24th, while also hoping his New York-shot sitcom, ‘Reggie Dinkins,’ develops into a long-running series. He’s also signed on for ‘Trust the Man,’ a Vietnam War thriller, and ultimately aspires to direct his own films.
He expressed a strong desire to direct films, noting, ‘Directing is what I truly want to do, though not on stage, as I lack an innate theatrical understanding. But if Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘10,000-hour rule’ holds true, I’ve logged enough time on film sets to learn how to run one.’ He mentioned having worked on a script ‘for ages’ and is currently in the revision process.
Radcliffe emphasized, ‘I’ve always envisioned my directorial debut being a project I’ve written myself, so if I mess it up, at least it’s my own material I’m messing with.’
But before that, it’s back to Broadway, where the immediate challenge will be his improvisational interactions with the audience. Macmillan aptly described managing this engagement as ‘a high-wire act, for sure.’
Prior to each performance, Radcliffe and his team will seek out willing audience members to read from his character’s expanding list of ‘brilliant things’ and to embody various pivotal figures in his story.
Radcliffe strongly emphasizes the optional nature of participation. ‘I understand many people’s reservations about audience involvement,’ he stated. ‘No one will be coerced into doing anything.’
He recently gained firsthand experience with audience interaction, serving as a guest speller in ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ late last year. Moreover, ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ rehearsals this month have involved stand-in audience members to help Radcliffe navigate various scenarios and potential challenges.
He concluded, ‘The unique contributions from the audience each night are what will make this show so incredibly enjoyable to perform.’
Reflecting on his motivation, he shared, ‘While it’s a fun, interesting, and cool theatrical experience, I also believe the show carries a profoundly important message—one that could be vital for someone to hear. I’m not claiming it saves lives, but it certainly inspires people to want to stay alive.’
Additional cinematography by Gus Aronson.