Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson to Make Broadway Debuts in The Fear of 13

Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson are set to make their Broadway debuts this spring, joining the cast of The Fear of 13for a limited run in New York.

The production will begin previews on March 19 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, with an official opening scheduled for April 15. The play is booked for a 16 week engagement.

Written by Olivier Award winner Lindsay Ferrentino, The Fear of 13 tells the true story of Nick Yarris, who spent more than 20 years on death row after being convicted of a murder he maintained he did not commit. The story unfolds as Yarris recounts his life and incarceration to a prison volunteer, examining the psychological toll of wrongful imprisonment and the nature of hope under extreme circumstances.

Brody reprises the role of Yarris after originating it in the play’s London debut in late 2024. His performance earned him an Olivier Award nomination. The Broadway engagement follows a high profile year for the actor, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Brutalist.

Thompson, who has previously appeared Off Broadway, will make her Broadway debut in the production. She joins the cast shortly after receiving a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Hedda, continuing a run of critically acclaimed work across stage and screen.

The Broadway production will be directed by David Cromer, whose previous credits include The Band’s Visit and Bug.

The Fear of 13 is based on the documentary of the same name directed by David Sington, which chronicles Yarris’s wrongful conviction in 1982 for the murder, rape, and abduction of a Delaware shop assistant. Ferrentino also received an Olivier nomination for her adaptation of the story. Her other recent work includes Queen of Versailles and Ugly Lies The Bone.

The Broadway run will partner with The Innocence Project, an organisation dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions through DNA testing and scientific evidence.

The production is being mounted by Seaview, Wessex Grove, and Gavin Kalin.

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