Matt Smith to star in Jack Thorne adaptation of 'The Humans' in 2027

This funny, philosophical satire sees an extraterrestrial sent to Earth with the task of preventing the threat of human advancement. Matt Smith stars.

Summary

• House of the Dragon star Matt Smith has been cast in a new adaptation of Matt Haig's The Humans
• Performances will begin at Theatre Royal Haymarket in October 2027
• Jeremy Herrin directs this world premiere

Matt Smith will star in the world premiere of The Humans, adapted by Jack Thorne from the novel by Matt Haig. Jeremy Herrin directs the production, which begins performances at Theatre Royal Haymarket in October 2027.

This funny, philosophical satire sees Smith (House of the Dragon, Enemy of the People) star as an extraterrestrial who is sent to Earth with the task of preventing the threat of human advancement. He takes over the body of Cambridge mathematician Professor Andrew Martin and goes on to experience all parts of humanity, from its deepest flaws to the capacity for empathy and compassion — which sees him transformed.

The show will run at the West End venue for 13 weeks from 30 October 2027.

Smith said: “I’m thrilled to be reuniting with Jeremy Herrin to bring Matt Haig’s The Humans to the stage for the first time, adapted by the brilliant Jack Thorne. It’s going to be a blast.”

Thorne said: “I love The Humans, the chance to work on Matt Haig's beautiful book with Jeremy Herrin has been an absolute dream. It is a story, at its heart, about an alien learning the complexity of beauty, and I can't think of a more beautiful alien than Matt Smith.”

Haig commented: “I am so excited about people seeing this. Of all my novels The Humans is possibly the most ‘me’ so I am instinctively protective over it, but I am a massive fan of Jack Thorne and as soon as I saw his incredible script I knew this was being elevated into something very special indeed. And Matt Smith is the absolutely perfect protagonist for this story. He was almost designed for this role. It looks like people will be surprised in all the right ways.”

Herrin added: “I’m thrilled to bring this life-affirming story to the stage. Of course, Jack Thorne immediately identified the theatrical possibilities in Matt Haig’s extraordinarily moving and entertaining tale, and in Matt Smith we have a beautifully skilled actor of courage and intensity to deliver a performance that will be unforgettable.

"I can’t wait to work with both Jack and Matt Smith again after their many recent triumphs; and it’s a privilege for Second Half Productions to be partnering with Melting Pot in bringing Matt Haig’s contemporary classic to eager audiences.”

Full cast and creative team are yet to be announced.

Check back for The Humans tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk