Jamie Campbell Bower Surprises Fans with Broadway Debut in Final Scene of ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’
Stranger Things: The First Shadow delighted its audience this past Friday at the Marquis Theatre in New York City with a surprising twist.
In a significant moment, Jamie Campbell Bower, known for his portrayal of Henry Creel, or Vecna, in the Netflix series, made his Broadway debut, stepping in for Louis McCartney during the final scene of the stage play. This scene features a poignant connection to the flagship show, depicting Henry’s encounter with young Eleven in the Rainbow Room at Hawkins Lab, a critical moment from the fourth season.
During the scene, Henry takes Eleven’s hand and vows to assist her, a promise that ultimately leads to significant repercussions. Audiences are aware that Henry’s subsequent estrangement from Eleven is a pivotal event that drives the series’ overarching narrative. Season 4, Episode 7, titled “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab,” elaborates on the complicated history between Eleven and Henry.
This swap served as an engaging way to bring the story full circle ahead of the upcoming conclusion of the Netflix series. Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2 is set to premiere on Christmas Day, followed by the final episode a week later on New Year’s Eve.
Watch on Deadline
The scene featuring Bower is the only direct tie-in from the series to the stage play, with the majority of the production exploring Henry’s backstory following his arrival in Hawkins in 1959.
Jamie Campbell Bower surprises audiences appearing as Henry Creel in Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway! #StrangerThings pic.twitter.com/WuNzrmZjqt
— Jordan Williams (@jordan_w126) December 20, 2025
While The First Shadow does not introduce extensive new information about Henry, playwright Kate Trefry navigated the storyline carefully to ensure accessibility for Stranger Things fans who may not be able to attend the play. The production offers valuable context regarding the character’s experiences prior to his introduction in Stranger Things 4.
Season 5 will also contain nods to the play, including a noteworthy scene from Vol. 1 in which Max (Sadie Sink), trapped within Henry’s mindscape, recalls an instance from Hawkins High School in 1959, featuring a young Joyce Byers promoting the school’s production of the musical Oklahoma!
McCartney, who originated the role of Henry Creel when The First Shadow debuted on the West End in 2023, made his Broadway debut alongside the play’s opening at the Marquis Theatre this year.
