Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions have confirmed that Louis McCartney (Game of Thrones) is set to take his award-winning performance as Henry Creel in the Olivier Award-winning play Stranger Things: The First Shadow from London to Broadway.
Director Stephen Daldry and Co-Director Justin Martin said in a statement: “Louis is an astonishing actor, and we are unbelievably proud of the incredible life he has breathed into the role of Henry Creel onstage in the West End. From the moment we first met him, we knew he was special, and we are thrilled that Broadway audiences will have the opportunity to witness his extraordinary performance.”
WestEndTheatre.com speculated back in August that McCartney was being lined-up to take the big-budget West End blockbuster to Broadway.
The Broadway production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow will start performances on 28 March 2025 at the Marquis Theatre in New York.
The show’s creative team remains intact from London, including direction by Stephen Daldry and co-direction by Justin Martin, 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.
Rising star and Stephen Daldry protege Louis McCartney will continue to star as Henry Creel in the West End production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow until Sunday 10 November 2024.
McCartney picked up a The Stage 2024 Debut Award for Best Performer in a Play and the Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Newcomer for his performance as Henry Creel.
Video: Stranger Things The First Shadow – Broadway teaser trailer
The new cast of the London production of Stranger Things was announced last month, with Louis Healy (Emmerdale, The Pact, The Full Monty) taking over from Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, plus Callum Maxwell (Peter Pan) as Bob Newby, Miranda Mufema (Romeo & Juliet) 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.
They will be joined by Shane Attwooll (Wonder Woman 1984) as Chief Hopper, Jack Crumlin (To Kill a Mockingbird) as Lonnie Byers, Rhianna Dorris (Coram Boy) as Sue Anderson, Ammar Duffus (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) as Charles Sinclair, Jack Gardner (The Baker’s Wife) as Walter Henderson, Andy Langtree (A Christmas Carol) as Victor Creel, Betsy Mayle as Claudia Yount, Michael Murray as Alan Munson, Lauren O’Neil (The Twilight Zone) as Virginia Creel, Matthew Pidgeon (Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies) as Principal Newby, Barney Wilkinson (Bonnie and Clyde) as Ted Wheeler, Edie Wright as Karen Childress
Alternating the role of Alice Creel are Scarlett Davies, Olivia Miller, India Moon and Pixie Robbins. They are joined by Chloe Akuma, Harry Ames, Sophie Atherton, Levi Bent, Mat Betteridge, Amara Campbell, Lois Churcher, Flora Dawson, Benjamin Lafayette, Jake Mavis, Karen Mavundukure, Chris Porter, Marianna Scott and Jonny Warr; and Shane Attwooll, Scarlett Davies, Ammar Duffus, Benjamin Lafayette, Olivia Miller, Matthew Pidgeon were part of the original company, and are all reprising their original roles.
The new London company starts on 14 November 2024.
Finishing up with Louis McCartney on 13 November are the show’s inaugural cast, including 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 (The Lightning Thief, Allen Munson).
Sonia Friedman launched a casting call back in April 2024 looking for a new actor to play the pivotal role of Henry Creel in the London production. Daldy, Friedman and the creative team originally held an open casting call to find their first Henry Creel and the other leads, and then held a long series of workshops, before picking the cast, including Belfast-born Louis McCartney in the role of Henry.
Until Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Louis McCartney had never even set foot in a theatre before. Director Stephen Daldry told Deadline last year that he considers McCartney “a proper theatre animal”, and that he has a performative ability of ”knowing how to respond and excite an audience”. Daldry went on to say, “he’s a proper star with proper star power.”
Stranger Things: The First Shadow continues to extend at the Phoenix Theatre in London, and is now booking to April 2025.
The 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.
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
Phoenix Theatre, London
Related News
11 kid-friendly shows to book during London Theatre Week 2026
Paddy Bever interview: inside Henry Creel’s journey from boy to monster in Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Stranger Things: The First Shadow announces new graphic novel based on play
First look photos: Coronation Street’s Paddy Bever in West End’s Stranger Things
Latest News
Broadway legend Patti LuPone returns to the London Coliseum for Valentine’s Day 2027
Helen of Troy never got to tell her side. Watch the trailer for the play that does
After a sell-out world tour, The Choir of Man returns to the West End this Christmas
