Doctor Who Star Matt Smith Set To Star In Stage Musical Adaptation Of 'American Psycho'

As the lead in the long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who, Matt Smith is probably one of the most British actors most people can think of, and yet the actor has landed the lead in American Psycho, the musical, the Daily Mail reports. 30-year-old Smith began rehearsals for the musical adaptation of the infamous Bret Easton Ellis novel.

Can Smith pull off the sociopath look?

Fresh off wrapping his final scenes as the 11th Doctor (sad times, we know) will play Patrick Bateman – a fictional Wall Street investment banker from the 80s, who is also secretly a serial killer. The role of Bateman, who engages in twisted and sadistic crimes in his spare time, has previously been played to perfection by Christian Bale in the 2000 movie adaptation. Now Matt Smith will take on the challenge on stage at London’s Almeida Theatre, starting from December – about the same time, when Peter Capaldi will take over from Smith as the twelfth Doctor on the popular series.

The Brit will have to match Bale in one of his most iconic roles.

As for Smith, this might be a challenge for the relatively young actor. While the DW star has proven adept at stage acting in productions such as That Face, The History Boys and Swimming With Sharks, this will be his very first musical. The schedule of eight shows a week can be tough even on experienced vocalists, but the actor is taking on the challenge and reportedly even having regular voice lessons to stretch his range. And no wonder – for the show, premiering December 3rd, there’s a lot at stake.

If American Psycho does well at Almeida, it might move on to bigger and better things – The West End and even Broadway are all possibilities. According to the Mail, there is already interest from American producers. And, judging from what the production team have to say about their work, it sounds like quite the lucrative venture indeed. Roberto Aguirre Sacasa, who has adapted the story for the stage, described the show as a ‘perverse, dark, twisted version of the American Dream’ while director Rupert Goold called it ‘very sexy and really stylish'. London residents might want to free up a night in December for this one.

Meanwhile, Capaldi is set to take over as the Doctor.