Jamie Campbell Bower took Henry Creel/Vecna from the small screen to the Broadway stage.
On Friday night, Bower surprised the audience with a performance of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The actor, who plays the villain in the hit Netflix series Stranger Thingsappeared in the final scene of the series. As this unfolded, Bower turned around and revealed himself as an adult version of Henry, receiving applause and cheers from the shocked audience. It also sparked an emotional response from Bower.
The moment connected the Stranger Things prequel – set in the 1950s – with the television series, set in the 1980s, putting adult Henry (also known as Number One) face to face with a young Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) at Dr. Brenner’s laboratory, as seen in the fourth season. Bower’s appearance also marked his Broadway debut.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow tells the origin story of Henry, a young Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper (played by Winona Ryder and David Harbor in the series), and follows the beginning of Hawkins Lab under the leadership of Dr. Brenner. Louis McCartney, who plays Henry throughout the Broadway run, was nominated for a 2025 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
McCartney introduced Bower during the encore. “To have him here tonight to share this moment with all of you – with all of us on stage – and to invite you to this moment on the Marquis stage, man, it’s such an honor,” he said. “You are such an inspiration. You are such a support to me, to the show, all these years.”
He continued: “Henry Creel is the dynamite of the The first shadow. Without you, nothing is possible. It’s not possible without you, man. Your love, your talent, your dedication – everything you put into this, all these years.
Stranger Things season five is being released in three parts, with volume 1 already streaming on Netflix since Thanksgiving. Volume 2 comes out at Christmas and The Finale comes out on New Year’s Eve.
