The play is Shaw's eighth, and after Richard Mansfield's original 1897 American production it was his first financial success, which helped to affirm his career as a playwright.

It was published in Shaw's 1901 collection Three Plays for Puritans together with Captain Brassbound's Conversion and Caesar and Cleopatra.

Set in Colonial America during the Revolutionary era, the play tells the story of Richard Dudgeon, a local outcast and self-proclaimed "Devil's disciple".

In a twist characteristic of Shaw's love of paradox, Dudgeon sacrifices himself in a Christ-like gesture despite his professed infernal allegiance.

At the end of the Act, Dick proclaims himself also a rebel against the British and scorns his family as cowards when they flee his home.

Judith can no longer hold her tongue and tells the court Dick is not her husband, but this makes no difference—the sentence will still be carried out.

Fifth Avenue Theatre October 4, 1897[1] A 1955 television broadcast featured Ralph Bellamy as Anthony Anderson, Maurice Evans (who also co-wrote the screenplay) as Dick Dudgeon, Teresa Wright as Judith Anderson, Dennis King as General Burgoyne, and Margaret Hamilton as Mrs. Dudgeon.

[3] At Southwark Playhouse in 2025 The Devil May Care was an adaptation by Mark Giesser that moved the story to The Philippines in 1899.