Asa Butterfield Stars in New Play Second Best

Asa Butterfield is set to make his stage debut in the one-man play 'Second Best', which tells the fictional story of Martin Hill, a boy who narrowly missed out on playing Harry Potter as a child. The play, based on David Foenkinos' novel and written by Barney Norris, will explore themes of fate and the emotional impact of near-misses in life, as Martin reflects on his past while preparing for fatherhood. Butterfield describes the production as a blend of humor and heartbreak, capturing universal 'what ifs'. Directed by Michael Longhurst, the play will run at London's Riverside Studios from January 24 to February 22, 2025. Notably, the production is not associated with the Harry Potter franchise or endorsed by J.K. Rowling, stemming from a real-life anecdote about the casting process for the films. The narrative is characterized as a playful blend of fiction and fact, highlighting the bittersweet nature of unfulfilled potential.