‘It F–ks Me Up.’ Stranger Things’ Vecna Actor Got Real About Playing A Villain, And It’s Not For The Faint Of Heart

by

The much-anticipated fifth and concluding season of “Stranger Things” is approaching rapidly, and throughout its broadcast, this popular Netflix series has unleashed some truly chilling creatures onto our screens – like the Demogorgon and Demo-bats to name a few. However, nothing has been as spine-tingling as the beast that made an appearance in Season 4. Jamie Campbell Bower, who portrays the sinister and eerie Vecna, recently shared insights about playing a villain, and it’s not nearly as enjoyable or lighthearted as one might imagine.

In the fourth season, the character known as Vecna, or Henry Creel, played a significant role. He was responsible for murdering several teenagers and trapping their consciousnesses within his mindscape in an attempt to create a bridge between the Upside Down and reality. Among his victims were Chrissy, Fred, and Patrick, with Max being his fourth. By doing so, Vecna managed to shatter the barriers, reaching his objective. Although Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) inflicted damage on him, he remains alive, hinting at a possible return in Season 5. In an interview at MegaCon Orlando, as reported by People, actor Jamie Bower expressed that he’d prefer not to reprise the role of Vecna due to the demanding makeup, prosthetics, and challenging nature of the character.

The other day, I had an interesting conversation with my therapist… It wasn’t a joke. We were discussing some personal matters, and he suggested that I should always set aside time for myself when I’m working. I looked at him and said, ‘To tell you the truth, I don’t think I’ll be taking on any more villainous roles for a while.’ It’s not something to laugh about; it really affects me deeply. I mean that sincerely.

It’s understandable that Bower finds playing Vecna challenging, as acting roles can sometimes take a toll, both mentally and physically. Moreover, working on a show like “Stranger Things” is demanding in itself. When you factor in Vecna’s complex backstory, the use of special effects, and the chilling nature of his kill scenes, it becomes even more taxing. It appears that Bower aims to avoid being stereotyped as a villain for now, suggesting he’d prefer not to be typecast in such roles at this point in time.

Despite playing a character that wasn’t particularly his cup of tea, Jamie Campbell Bower still appreciated his time on the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things,” as he acknowledged how fortunate he felt to have been a part of it, given its ongoing popularity and acclaim.

It has been truly remarkable and an unforgettable experience for me to become a part of the show starting from Season 4, to be involved in something that is cherished by so many and something that I hold dear too. However, I must say that it’s time for me to retire my foam latex suit and bid a slippery goodbye.

Beyond some details such as episode titles being disclosed, not much has been revealed about Stranger Things 5, including the character Bower’s role. Given that Hawkins is now under the influence of the Upside Down, it remains uncertain what will transpire and how things will appear when the series resumes in 2025.

Viewers with a Netflix subscription can catch up on the first four seasons of “Stranger Things” and get a glimpse of the mysterious Vecna creature, speculating on the havoc he might wreak in Hawkins for Season 5. As of now, there’s no official release date for Season 5, but it’s expected to air sometime in Netflix’s 2025 lineup. All we can do is wait with bated breath.

Read More

2025-02-18 04:37