Jamie Campbell Bower traded the terrifying Upside Down for the bright lights of New York City this week, showcasing a sharply stylish look far removed from his monstrous Stranger Things character.
From Vecna to Vintage Cool: A Style Transformation
The 37-year-old actor arrived at NBC studios on Tuesday evening for an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He was a world away from the skeletal villain Vecna, cheerfully greeting a crowd of fans outside.
Looking more handsome than ever, Bower sported an effortlessly edgy ensemble. He wore a black-and-white racing jacket paired with matching leather flare trousers, completing the look with dark sunglasses and several striking silver gothic rings.
Behind the Scenes of a Supervillain
His talk show visit follows the long-awaited release of the Stranger Things finale last week, where fans finally saw his character, Vecna/Henry Creel, meet his defeat. Bower joined the Netflix hit in its fourth season, with his role initially shrouded in mystery before being revealed as the transformed Henry Creel.
The journey to becoming Vecna was unconventional. For his initial audition, he was given no script from the show. Instead, he performed scenes from the films Primal Fear and Hellraiser. Only at the callback did he receive dummy sides that turned out to be Chrissy's death scene.
After impressing producers, a meeting with creators Matt and Ross Duffer followed. Bower presented a character 'mind map' he had created, leaving the brothers stunned. They asked if he had read the script, as his vision was 'literally perfect.'
The Gruelling Physical Toll of Vecna
Despite critical acclaim, the role was physically demanding. The prosthetic makeup application took over seven hours each time. Bower would stay in character on set, sitting silently in the makeup chair, using music to get into Vecna's mindset.
He also meticulously worked on the character's movement and voice, even sending audio recordings to the Duffer brothers with 'spooky vampire music' underneath. He joked about having countless videos of himself 'walking around pretty much naked' practising the role.
Fans Get a Final Behind-the-Scenes Adventure
For those eager to see more, Netflix has announced a new documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5. It is set for release at 8am GMT on January 12.
The Duffer brothers said the film, directed by Martina Radwan, is inspired by the behind-the-scenes documentaries of The Lord of the Rings. They aim to show the 'real nuts and bolts' of the massive production, offering a final glimpse into the world of Hawkins before the show concludes.
