Jeremy Herrin has become one of the most influential and respected theatre directors in the United Kingdom. With a career spanning several decades, he has successfully blended classical sensibilities with bold, contemporary staging. His work ranges from thought-provoking new writing at the Royal Court to epic historical dramas such as Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. Herrin’s career not only reflects his personal artistic vision but also the wider evolution of modern British theatre, balancing tradition with innovation and accessibility with depth.
Early Life and Path into Theatre
Born in New York in 1970 but raised in England, Herrin did not immediately leap into the limelight of directing. Like many successful theatre professionals, his career began with a deep appreciation of storytelling and a strong academic background. After studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he worked his way through assistant directing posts before stepping into the directing spotlight.
These early experiences shaped his collaborative style and his sensitivity to text, actors, and staging. He gained a reputation for being an astute interpreter of plays and someone who nurtured writers’ voices rather than imposing his own ego.
Establishing a Career at the Royal Court
The Royal Court Theatre in London has long been synonymous with bold new writing, and it was here that Jeremy Herrin truly made his name. As Deputy Artistic Director under Dominic Cooke, he helped shepherd in a generation of writers whose works challenged, provoked, and reflected contemporary British society.
Herrin directed plays by writers such as Polly Stenham and DC Moore, giving life to stories that resonated with younger audiences and critics alike. His Royal Court productions demonstrated his ability to draw nuanced performances from actors and to bring clarity to often complex or unsettling material.
Headlong: Championing Bold and Political Theatre
In 2013, Herrin was appointed Artistic Director of Headlong, one of Britain’s most daring theatre companies. Headlong had already built a reputation for visually inventive and politically engaged productions, and under Herrin’s leadership, it reached new heights.
He directed James Graham’s This House, a thrilling account of parliamentary politics in the 1970s, which became a major West End and touring success. This production reflected Herrin’s ability to take seemingly dry political history and transform it into compelling, almost cinematic theatre.
Headlong under Herrin also nurtured experimental projects and embraced digital innovation, demonstrating his belief that theatre should evolve with the times. His tenure showed that theatre could be both accessible to broad audiences and uncompromising in its ambition.
Landmark Productions
Jeremy Herrin’s career is marked by a string of acclaimed productions across London’s most prestigious stages and on Broadway.
Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies
His adaptations of Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning novels for the Royal Shakespeare Company were theatrical events of the decade. The plays, staged with clarity and economy, distilled Mantel’s dense historical narratives into gripping drama. Both productions transferred to the West End and Broadway, receiving rave reviews and multiple award nominations.
People, Places & Things
Herrin directed Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places & Things at the National Theatre, a play that explored addiction and recovery with raw honesty. His direction captured the play’s hallucinatory qualities without losing sight of the human story at its heart. The production later transferred to the West End and was revived in 2024, cementing its reputation as a modern classic.
Best of Enemies
Another highlight of Herrin’s recent work is James Graham’s Best of Enemies, a play about the televised debates between William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal. The production was widely acclaimed for its sharp dialogue, electrifying performances, and its exploration of media, politics, and polarisation—issues deeply relevant today.
Revivals of Classic Plays
Herrin has also brought fresh insight to established masterpieces. His productions of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons at the Old Vic and Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night at Wyndham’s Theatre demonstrated his ability to handle towering works of 20th-century drama with sensitivity and grandeur.
Artistic Philosophy and Style
Jeremy Herrin’s style is not defined by flashy trademarks but by a deep respect for text and actors. He is known for clarity of storytelling, rigorous attention to detail, and a refusal to condescend to audiences. His productions are often praised for their precision, emotional resonance, and their ability to make difficult material accessible.
Unlike some directors who impose a rigid vision, Herrin’s approach is collaborative. Writers and actors often speak of his generosity in rehearsal, his willingness to listen, and his ability to bring out the best in those he works with. This approach has made him a favourite among playwrights seeking directors who will honour their words while also giving them theatrical life.
Founding Second Half Productions
In 2020, Herrin co-founded Second Half Productions with producers Alan Stacey and Ben Lowy. The company was created to bring ambitious theatre to wide audiences, often with star casts and West End visibility.
One of its most significant projects has been the 2024 revival of Long Day’s Journey Into Night starring Brian Cox, a production that demonstrated Herrin’s ability to balance artistic integrity with commercial appeal. Through Second Half, he has positioned himself not only as a director but also as a cultural entrepreneur shaping the future of theatre.
Awards and Recognition
Herrin’s productions have been frequently recognised with Olivier, Tony, and Critics’ Circle nominations and wins. Best of Enemies received the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre, while Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies enjoyed international acclaim.
Yet perhaps his greatest recognition comes from the respect he commands within the industry. Actors, writers, and producers consistently praise his intelligence, calm authority, and ability to create work that speaks to both the heart and the mind.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
Even in recent years, Jeremy Herrin shows no signs of slowing down. His projects continue to balance classics and new writing:
- Every Brilliant Thing—a heart-warming play co-directed with Duncan Macmillan, set for a West End debut.
- The Spy Who Came in from the Cold—an adaptation of John le Carré’s espionage novel, heading for a major West End run.
- Fool for Love—a revival of Sam Shepard’s intense drama at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago in early 2025.
These projects reveal his versatility, moving easily between intimate one-person shows, large-scale literary adaptations, and emotionally explosive American classics.
Jeremy Herrin’s Contribution to British Theatre
Jeremy Herrin has helped to shape the landscape of British theatre in the early 21st century. His contributions can be seen in several key areas:
- Championing new writing: He has consistently supported emerging playwrights and brought challenging contemporary voices to the stage.
- Making political theatre engaging: Through works like This House and Best of Enemies, he has shown that political stories can be thrilling and entertaining.
- Bridging popular and serious theatre: Herrin has directed productions that satisfy critics while also reaching broad audiences, proving that intellectual depth and commercial success need not be mutually exclusive.
- Mentorship and leadership: As a leader at the Royal Court, Headlong, and Second Half Productions, he has created spaces where innovation can flourish.
Conclusion
Jeremy Herrin stands as one of Britain’s most significant theatre directors of his generation. His career reflects an ongoing commitment to storytelling that is rigorous, humane, and socially engaged. From the political corridors of Westminster in This House to the Tudor court in Wolf Hall and the personal struggles of addiction in People, Places & Things, Herrin has shown extraordinary range.
As he continues to direct across the UK, the West End, Broadway, and beyond, Jeremy Herrin’s influence only deepens. He is a director who has never sought the spotlight for himself but has consistently illuminated the stories, actors, and ideas he brings to the stage. For audiences, critics, and fellow theatre-makers, his work remains a benchmark of excellence in modern theatre.
