Matt Smith is set to star in the world premiere of The Humans, a new play by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Jack Thorne, based on the bestselling novel by Matt Haig.
The production will run for a strictly limited 13-week season at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 30 October 2027 to 28 January 2028, with opening night scheduled for 16 November 2027.
Produced by Melting Pot and Second Half Productions in association with Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment, The Humans will be directed by Jeremy Herrin. Further casting and creative team details are yet to be announced.
Based on Haig’s internationally acclaimed novel, the story follows an extraterrestrial sent to Earth to halt human scientific progress. Assuming the identity of Cambridge mathematician Professor Andrew Martin, he gradually discovers both the flaws and extraordinary beauty of humanity, leading to an unexpected transformation.
Smith, best known for House of the Dragon, Doctor Who and his recent stage work in Enemy of the People, will take on the lead role in what marks the first theatrical adaptation of the novel.
Matt 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.”
Jack 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.”
Matt Haig said: “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.”
Jeremy Herrin commented: “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.”
Tickets go on general sale at 12pm on 11 November 2026, with 15,000 tickets available at £25 throughout the run.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
