Share this article

Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions have announced new casting for the original London production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

The show is also extending its run at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre in London, booking through to 6 April 2025.

From 14 November 2024, Louis Healy (Emmerdale, The Pact, The Full Monty) will take over the role of Henry Creel, replacing Louis McCartney (Game of Thrones).

Callum Maxwell (Peter Pan) will play Bob Newby, Miranda Mufema (Romeo & Juliet) will star as Patty Newby, Luke Mullins (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) as Dr Brenner, Jessica Rhodes (Doubt; a Parable) as Joyce Maldonado and George Smale (AS-NT) as James Hopper Jr.

Further casting ahead of 14 November is to be announced.

The new cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Directors Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin said in a joint statement: “As we enter our second year, we are thrilled to have assembled an incredible cast with new and familiar faces to take us back to Hawkins 1959. We look forward to getting into the rehearsal room with them and exploring the characters anew”.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is also heading to Broadway in 2025, starting performances on 28 March 2025 at the Marquis Theatre in New York.

Rumours around casting for the Broadway production will only intensify given today’s news that Louis McCartney will exit the London show, fuelling speculation that the rising star and Stephen Daldry protege may move over to the Broadway production in the spring.

The current London cast of Stranger Things also includes Isabella Pappas (Finding Alice) as Joyce Maldonaldo; Oscar Lloyd (The 47th) as James Hopper Jnr; Christopher Buckley (David Copperfield) as Bob Newby; Ella Karuna Williams (The Equalizer) as Patty Newby; Shane Attwooll (Wonder Woman 1984) as Chief Hopper; Christopher Buckley (David Copperfield) as Bob Newby; Michael Jibson (The Essex Serpent; Hamilton) as Victor Creel; Patrick Vaill (Oklahoma!) as Dr Brenner; Alex Young (Follies) as Virginia Creel; and Max Harwood (Allen Munson).

Video: Stranger Things The First Shadow – Broadway teaser trailer

Sonia Friedman launched a casting call way back in April 2024 looking for a new actor to play the pivotal role of Henry Creel in the London production.

The London production scored an Olivier Award win for Best for Entertainment at the 2024 Olivier Awards, and fantastic reviews from the London theatre critics, with four and five stars across the board from all the major critics.

Based on the Netflix series Stranger Things created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is written by Kate Trefry (Netflix’s Stranger Things), and has an original story by the Duffer Brothers, award-winning writer Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed, The Motive and the Cue), and Kate Trefry.

The creative team for the show also includes set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, original music composition, orchestration, arrangements and supervision by D.J. Walde, illusions design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher, video design & visual effects by 59, choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction by Lynne Page, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, and casting by Jim Carnahan.

Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Jack Thorne is set for a busy Spring 2025 in New York, what with Stranger Things opening on Broadway, and his acclaimed National Theatre play The Motive and the Cue heading to Broadway at the same time.

Book tickets to Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre London

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Phoenix Theatre, London

Book tickets
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Main photo: Stranger Things The First Shadow - Jessica Rhodes, George Smale, Callum Maxwell, Miranda Mufema, Louis Healy. Photo by Craig Sugden

Related News

See all

Latest News

See all