Sabrina Barr
Published November 28, 2025 7:00pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Up Next
Previous Page Next Page Key Points summary__ai-icon- Jamie Campbell Bower talked to Metro about playing Vecna and his character’s impact in Stranger Things.
- He opened up about Vecna’s ‘unfinished business’ with Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) in the fifth and final season.
- The actor expressed interest in reprising his role if a TV adaptation of the West End play on Vecna’s backstory is made.
It’s the mark of an incredible actor when they can join the cast of an internationally-renowned drama six years after it began and become one of its standout stars.
But that’s exactly what Jamie Campbell Bower did when he made his debut as Vecna, aka Henry Creel and Number One, in Stranger Things season 4, which came out on Netflix in 2022.
Three years later, the terrifying villain has finally returned in season 5 volume 1. He’s bigger, he’s badder, and he’s revealed that he has a mysterious connection to Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), who was abducted and taken to the Upside Down in season one.
Ahead of the launch of the final season, Metro caught up with Jamie, 37, in London, who fans will be pleased to know is bubbly and energetic in real life – nothing like the sinister character he portrays in the phenomenal sci-fi series.
Get personalised updates on all things Netflix
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
The actor’s character, Henry Creel, was the first child to be experimented on by Dr Brenner (Matthew Modine) at Hawkins’ Lab, hence why he’s also known as Number One.
In season four, it was revealed that a fight between him and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) resulted in the first gate to the Upside Down being ripped open, and he transformed from a superpowered human to a monstrous creature.
Jamie Campbell Bower opened up to Metro about playing a character regarded as one of the ‘best TV villains ever’ (Picture: Eamonn McCormack/Variety via Getty Images)
The connection between Will (Noah Schnapp) and Vecna is explored in the final season (Picture: Courtesy of Netflix)
Vecna has been consistently hailed as one of the best TV villains ever, compared to the likes of Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, and Joffrey in Game of Thrones. So how does the Twilight and Harry Potter star feel about being the bearer of such a legacy?
‘I don’t know. It’s not something that I often think about, if I’m being totally honest with you,’ he responds humbly.
‘I think ultimately, how I really feel about it is, when I approached this, I felt like I had this great duty of care for the show and for the character because of Matt and Ross Duffer.
‘I’m just glad that it worked, because we’ve spent a long time creating and sculpting this character across various different departments. I’m glad that it’s done what it needed to do.’
When he was looking ahead to Stranger Things season five, Jamie, 37, had one major hope – to revisit the ‘unfinished business’ between Vecna and Will.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Up Next
Previous Page Next Page
Fortunately, Jamie is nothing like the character he plays in Stranger Things (Picture: Netflix/Metro)
What did Metro think of Stranger Things season 5 volume 1?
Find out what Metro’s TV Editor Sabrina Barr thought in her five-star review:
Stranger Things isn’t just any old TV show. This finale is a TV moment that will be remembered for years to come. Especially if the sensational first four episodes of the season are anything to go by.
Season 5 volume 1 is everything I hoped for and more. Of course, we still have four more episodes until the Netflix phenomenon is well and truly done, but I have faith in the Duffer Brothers and everyone involved in creating this TV masterpiece to stick the landing.
It took three years for the final season to arrive, and in my eyes, it was definitely worth the wait.
To read more, click here.
Ahead of the release date for season five volume one, Netflix posted the first five minutes of the opening episode online, which revealed that there is a lot more to uncover from their joint history.
‘There’s a clip from season one on the road where we see a shadowy figure, but we don’t really know who it is. There were always these fan theories that it might be Vecna and so on,’ he adds.
‘So how did I feel? I just felt like it was right. I felt like it was appropriate, and I was excited to go back to that relationship between the two of them for sure.’
The Duffer Brothers have emphasised that Stranger Things season five is officially the end of the story (despite recently confirming that an animated spin-off is arriving on Netflix in 2026).
Henry’s backstory is explored in the West End play Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Picture: Netflix)
Nonetheless, Jamie’s character Vecna boasts a West End play all about his backstory from his childhood through to his teenage years, titled Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
More Trending
-
Netflix fans raving about ‘one of the best Christmas movies’ starring screen queen
Channel: Film Film 11 hours ago By Tori Brazier - Cancel your weekend plans to binge 'adrenaline-fuelled' BBC crime drama on Netflix
- Netflix actor Tony Germano dies aged 55 after fatal fall
- 'One of the best films of the year' has just dropped on Netflix
If a TV or film adaptation were to be made of it, would the actor be open to reprising the role?
‘If I was asked absolutely 100%,’ he confirms.
‘I spent so much time creating this and building this and falling in love with this character, that if it was me that they wanted, of course, I’d go back and do it again. I love Matt and Ross and I love this world.’
Deals of the Day
Dyson’s Black Friday sale is here! Save up to £550 on vacuums, Airwraps and hairdryers
Breakdown drama? There’s an app for that – and it gets you help in minutes
Emma is celebrating 10 years of better sleep with free bedding bundles worth hundreds!
Pack 60% more with these cubes that sell every 2 mins – and travel smarter, not heavier
Sick of shaving? This at-home device will save you hundreds on hair removal
Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 is available to stream on Netflix. Volume 2 is due to premiere on Boxing Day, followed by volume 3 on New Year’s Day.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Arrow MORE: Peter Kay rejected Netflix’s offer to stream Phoenix Nights because of ‘trigger warning’
Arrow MORE: Netflix actor Tony Germano dies aged 55 after fatal fall
Arrow MORE: Cancel your weekend plans to binge ‘adrenaline-fuelled’ BBC crime drama on Netflix
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source TV NewsletterSign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.
Show Expand Options ? Select All Select All Big Brother Big Brother Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother Doctor Who Doctor Who Great British Bake Off Great British Bake Off I'm A Celeb I'm A Celeb Love Island Love Island Netflix Netflix Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing The Apprentice The Apprentice The Traitors The Traitors Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
