Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson to debut on Broadway in 'The Fear of 13'

Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson will make their Broadway debuts this spring in a new play, 'The Fear of 13,' which will begin previews March 19 at the James Earl Jones Theater.

The play tells the true story of a man who spent more than two decades on death row for rape and murder before being exonerated by DNA evidence. It is based on a 2015 documentary by David Sington about Nick Yarris, who was released from prison in 2004. Lindsey Ferrentino wrote the play, and an initial production starring Brody with a different cast and creative team ran at the Donmar Warehouse in London in 2024.

The Broadway production is directed by David Cromer and is scheduled to open April 15. Brody, 52, a two-time Academy Award winner for 'The Pianist' and 'The Brutalist,' will star opposite Thompson, 42, who last year starred in the film 'Hedda.' Thompson will portray a volunteer who visits the prison and has a series of conversations with Yarris.

The Broadway run is scheduled to last 16 weeks and is being produced by Seaview, Wessex Grove and Gavin Kalin; they are planning a partnership with the Innocence Project.

Key Topics

Culture, Adrien Brody, Tessa Thompson, Nick Yarris, Lindsey Ferrentino, Innocence Project