Asa Butterfield, best known for his role in Sex Education, is set to take on his first ever stage role. Butterfield will star in a new one-man show called Second Best which has been inspired by the world of Harry Potter. The play follows the story of Martin Hill, a young boy who missed out on the role of Harry, which ultimately went to Daniel Radcliffe. Years later, Martin is still struggling with the ‘what ifs’ and the play explores how his missed opportunity has impacted his later life as an adult about to become a father.
Second Best is a fictional story, not connected to the official Harry Potter series or endorsed by author JK Rowling. It is based on a best-selling book of the same name by David Foenkinos and adapted for the stage by Barney Norris. It will be directed by Michael Longhurst and will play at Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios for a month beginning on January 24th, 2025.
Butterfield, who described the play as “equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking” said that it was exciting to bring the production to life on stage. Producer Simon Friend said that the book “immediately cried out to be told on stage” when he read it last year, and was thrilled when Norris signed on to adapt it.
Martin Hill’s story was inspired by a real-life anecdote told by the film’s casting director, who revealed that Radcliffe had faced stiff competition for the role of Harry from another young actor who was “terrific and very vulnerable”. In the end, Radcliffe won the role by showing another side of the character that was both vulnerable and powerful.
Second Best is set to be a heart-warming and cautionary tale, reminding audiences that even when we come second, we are still successful in our own right
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