The imposition of the death penalty offends the moral compass of a democracy, as acts of violence as a penalty for acts of violence perpetuates the cycle of violence, and the dreadful outcome of a wrongfully convicted person being executed. The adversarial criminal justice system is the most democratic in the world, yet that does not mean it is perfect. Regrettably, throughout the democratic nations of the world, innocent people are languishing in prisons. To then have Damocles’ sword precariously dangling above an innocent person’s head in the form of the death penalty is undoubtedly the cruellest outcome of a democratic system of justice. Executing an innocent person is a nightmare wrapped up in a horror story wrapped up in trepidation. Such an outcome offends my sense of justice, whether I am wearing the hat of my profession, my political activism, or my authorship. That is the plot of the Broadway play, The Fear of 13, starring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson.

Adrien Brody “gives a soulful, awe-inspiring performance in a real-life tale of injustice” (per London Theatre). Portraying the life, imprisonment, and wrongful conviction of Nick Harris, The Fear of 13 marks the Broadway debut of Mr Brody (The Brutalist) and his co-star, Golden Globe Award nominee Tessa Thompson (Hedda). Directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (The Band’s Visit), The Fear of 13 is now being staged on Broadway after it won rave reviews in London, earned playwright Lindsey Ferrentino an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play, and won Brody an Olivier for Best Actor. It is a disturbing and emotional story, based on the real-life events of Nick Yarris’ life, who is convicted and on death row, meets a prison volunteer, and with her, fights to clear his name, later becoming the first man on Pennsylvania’s death row to be discharged thanks to DNA evidence. This production also partners with the nonprofit organisation The Innocence Project, which uses advances in DNA testing to prove wrongful convictions. It is appropriate, at this juncture, to hear what Mr Brophy has to say about a play that has already brought him the honour of a best actor award, in the link below to a recent interview with him:

The play has received critical acclaim. The London theatre wrote, “I surely wasn’t the only one who watched the curtain call misty-eyed at the restoration of justice and in awe of Brody’s impassioned commitment to this story of snatching victory from the jaws of psychic defeat. It’s taken this singular talent four decades to turn his attentions to the theatre. Let’s hope he doesn’t wait that long again.” The Guardian wrote about the two stars, “She (Tessa Thompson) effortlessly fills the volume of the theatre, casting a glow across Arnulfo Maldonado’s imposing set. Her co-star is two-time Oscar winner Adrien Brody, reprising his role after a London run in late 2024. He (Adrien Brody) and (Tessa) Thompson complement each other well; Brody’s most affecting moments are when Yarris and Jacki are caught in a moment of intimacy.”

The Fear of 13‘s season on Broadway concludes on 16 May 2026, so if you can make it there, you will see a play of substance that is garnering critical acclaim everywhere. It’s up to you.