Minnie Driver to join Every Brilliant Thing in the West End

Every Brilliant Thing will welcome Minnie Driver into the lead role in the West End.

Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, Every Brilliant Thing originally premiered at Paines Plough’s Roundabout at Summerhall in Edinburgh in 2014.

It has since toured internationally, been adapted into an acclaimed HBO special, and was most recently revived in a sold-out 2024 anniversary run at Roundabout, celebrating both the play’s tenth anniversary and Paines Plough’s 50th.

Told from the perspective of a child who begins making a list of life’s joys for their mother amid her struggles with depression, the play spans decades, showing how the list shapes their own life. It explores themes of mental health, resilience, and love with humour and emotional depth.

The production will be co-directed by Jeremy Herrin and Macmillan and is presented by Second Half Productions in association with Nica Burns and Paines Plough.

A rotating cast of guest performers will lead the show across the run at @sohoplace. The season opens with Lenny Henry (dates from 1 to 30 August), Donahoe (dates from 13 August to 1 September), Ambika Mod (dates from 2 to 26 September), and Sue Perkins (dates from 4 to 27 September).

Revealed today, Minne Driver will play from 21 October.

The production is designed by Vicki Mortimer with lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by Tom Gibbons and casting by Jessica Ronane.

The play has now extended its run at @sohoplace to 8 November, with performances starting from 1 August.