Asa Butterfield to Make Stage Debut in Harry Potter Inspired Play "Second Best"
Asa Butterfield, best known for his role as Otis Milburn in Sex Education, is set to make his stage debut in a Harry Potter inspired one-man play called Second Best.
When does it come to stage?
The play is based on the David Foenkinos novel and will run for a limited four-week engagement at London’s Riverside Studios from January 24th to February 22nd, 2025.
What is Second Best about?
In Second Best, Butterfield takes on the role of Martin Hill, a man haunted by the memory of nearly being cast as Harry Potter.
As a child, Hill was one of the final two contenders for the iconic role but ultimately lost out to Daniel Radcliffe.
Now, as he prepares to become a father, Hill reflects on the “what ifs” of his life, questioning how things could have been different if he had landed that life-changing role.
The play explores the emotional toll of being so close to fame yet missing out, touching on themes of success, failure, and the complexities of fatherhood.
Producer Simon Friend, who was immediately drawn to the story after reading the novel, described it as “a coming-of-age story of success and failure, love and loss, and fathers and sons.”
Move to stage is start of a new chapter for TV and film star
This new venture marks a significant shift for Butterfield, who has spent most of his career in front of the camera, starring in films like The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Ender’s Game, as well as his celebrated role in Netflix's Sex Education.
In a statement, Butterfield described the play as "equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking," and that it captures the universal theme of missed opportunities. Butterfield also said that reading the script was both moving and funny, and he looks forward to making the role his own.
He shared his excitement about stepping into the world of theatre, saying, “I can’t wait to bring it to life on stage for the very first time.”
The stage production promises a unique mix of humour and emotional depth, with audiences set to experience the highs and lows of Martin Hill’s internal struggles. As Butterfield steps into this new chapter of his career, Second Best offers a powerful narrative on what it means to live with the choices and opportunities that shape our lives.
Second Best is directed by Michael Longhurst, with Barney Norris adapting Foenkinos' novel for the stage.
