The Understudy

The Understudy: a scintillating comedy of ambition, celebrity, jealousy and love

‘Irresistible’
DAILY MAIL

‘Delightful’
OBSERVER

‘Funniest book of the year’
MARIE CLAIRE

For Josh Harper, being in show-business means everything he ever wanted: money, fame, a beautiful wife and a lead role on the London stage.

For Stephen C. McQueen, it means being stuck with an unfortunate name, a hopeless agent and a job as understudy to Josh Harper, the 12th Sexiest Man in the World.

When Stephen falls in love with Josh’s clever, funny wife, Nora, things get even more difficult. But might there yet be a way for Stephen to get his big break?

ONE OF BRITAIN’S MOST ACCLAIMED WRITERS

‘One of the most astute chroniclers of England as it is now’
FINANCIAL TIMES

‘An uncanny ability to make us laugh out loud, but also care passionately about his characters’
DAILY TELEGRAPH

‘Nicholls writes with such tender precision about love’
THE TIMES

‘No one else writes novels that are both relatable and revelatory in the way he does’
EVENING STANDARD

‘Genuinely brilliant’
NEW STATESMAN