As Stranger Things kicks off its final season, star Jamie Campbell Bower is returning to one of the franchise’s most haunting creations: Vecna. After his debut in Season 4, he returns to bring Henry Creel’s monstrous form to life once again — and this time, the character arrives with new layers, new physicality, and a deeper exploration of his origins.
When asked how he approached Vecna differently for the upcoming season, Bower explained to Blavity’s Shadow and Act that the character’s internal drive remains the foundation of his performance. “I think so much of his end goal is based in this idea of resentment and a desire to win, basically, which is something that you have to constantly and just be aware of,” he said. “How do I go about tackling it? I think I was so fortunate enough with season 4 to have so many beautiful, broad references with regards to, even the voice came from Doug Bradley as Pinhead [in Hellraiser]. So it’s just about retention basically.”
Were there any changes with Vecna’s design?
But Season 5 brings major shifts in Vecna’s physical design — changes fans have already glimpsed in the trailer. “I don’t know how much you’ve seen, but obviously, we have the trailer that’s out for the new season. So it’s obvious that Vecna’s changed now. And within that, there comes creative discussions that we needed to have,” Bower said. “So what you’re seeing now on screen is a larger blend between CG and prosthetics and practical. Chest upwards is prosthetic and hand is prosthetic, but everything else is CG.”
Maintaining continuity with his terrifying Season 4 portrayal meant getting specific about the villain’s movement and physical presence. “We had a lot of conversations about gait, and posture, and presence, and size and just making sure that all of those things that we were able to carry into season 4 were still present in Stranger Things 5, but there were still things that were different.”
Jamie Campbell Bower promises answers and fulfillment regarding Vecna/Henry
When asked what fans can expect from the endgame, especially regarding Henry and Vecna’s story, Bower described a season that digs deeper into the character than ever before. “Gosh, I think you can expect a really fulfilling journey with seeing the various different layers of who and why this person is. That will become so much clearer once you see the rest of the show,” he said. “I know it sounds so vague, but from a performance level and from a performance perspective, it was something that I took great pleasure in as we journeyed through the season, was being able to know that what I was showing was more of a presentation of self rather than really human.”
A second speaker added that viewers will get far more insight than they might expect. “And I think it’s pretty fulfilling. It must be as well, because we do think that, at least from a viewer perspective, you think that we get a ton of Henry in season 4, and a little bit of the backstory, but to even dive even further into that in this season.”
They added that the mysteries of the Upside Down will finally become clearer. “And I know that I, of course, haven’t seen this part yet, but knowing what exactly is the upside down, and how all of this ties together, I think is something that I’m interested in seeing.”
Season 5 of ‘Stranger Things’s connection to ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’
And in a final reflection on how the broader Stranger Things universe has helped expand Henry’s story, they said: “I think it’s going to be amazing. And it’s been so lovely, because, obviously, between season 4 and Stranger Things 5, there’s also been The First Shadow on Broadway in the West End in London. And so people have been able to learn more about this season and where we could go, and we’ll certainly have questions answered about Vecna and Henry’s origins.”
Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Watch the full interview below.