Watch 'Stranger Things' star Jamie Campbell Bower's surprise appearance at Broadway spinoff 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow'
Jamie Campbell Bower made a surprise appearance at the Broadway production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow last Friday. The actor, known for playing Henry Creel/Vecna in the hit Netflix series, joined the cast onstage during the final scene at New York’s Marquis Theatre. Fans responded with excitement as he took the stage alongside Louis McCartney, who portrays the younger version of the same character.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow premiered in 2023 at London’s Phoenix Theatre before moving to Broadway. The play is set in Hawkins, 1959, and explores the early lives of Jim Hopper, Bob Newby, and Henry Creel. No official records confirm which theatre company initially engaged Campbell Bower for the role before its London debut.
On December 19, Campbell Bower appeared unannounced during the curtain call. McCartney, who plays young Henry Creel in the show, introduced him to the audience. The moment came as the production reached its climax, adding a dramatic twist for theatregoers.
Meanwhile, the fifth and final season of Stranger Things is currently airing. Volume one arrived on November 26, with episodes five, six, and seven scheduled for Christmas Day. The series finale will drop on New Year’s Eve. In the show, Campbell Bower’s character, Vecna, clashes with Eleven in Dr. Brenner’s lab—a key storyline leading into the final episodes.
Campbell Bower’s surprise Broadway appearance tied the play closer to the original series. His role as Vecna remains central to Stranger Things as the show nears its conclusion. The final episodes will air over the holiday season, wrapping up the long-running story.
