Jamie Campbell Bower has brought Henry Creel/Vecna from the small screen to the Broadway stage.
On Friday night, Bower surprised audiences at a performance of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The actor, who portrays the villain in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, appeared in the show’s final scene. As it unfolded, Bower turned around and revealed himself as an adult version of Henry, receiving rounds of applause and cheers from the shocked audience. It also prompted an emotional reaction from Bower.
The moment connected the Stranger Things prequel — set in the 1950s — with the TV series, set in the 1980s, by bringing adult Henry (also known as Number One) face-to-face with a young Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) at Dr. Brenner’s lab, as seen in season four. Bower’s appearance also marked his Broadway debut.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow tells the story of Henry’s origins, a young Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper (played by Winona Ryder and David Harbour in the show), and follows the start of Hawkins Lab under Dr. Brenner. Louis McCartney, who stars as Henry throughout the Broadway run, was nominated for a 2025 Tony award for best actor in a play.
McCartney introduced Bower during the curtain call. “To have him here tonight to share this moment with you all — with all of us on stage — and to invite you into this moment at the Marquis stage, man, it is such an honor,” he said. “You’re such an inspiration. You’re such a support to me, to the show, all these years.”
He continued, “Henry Creel is the dynamite of The First Shadow. Without you, nothing is possible. This is not possible without you, man. Your love, your talent, your devotion — everything you’ve put into this, all these years.”
Stranger Things season five is releasing in three parts, with Volume 1 already streaming on Netflix as of Thanksgiving. Volume 2 releases on Christmas and The Finale drops on New Year’s Eve.
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