‘Stranger Things’ cast reunites for Broadway prequel premiere featuring Vecna’s Origins

The cast and creators of the popular series ‘Stranger Things’ recently reunited in New York City to celebrate the official Broadway opening of the prequel play ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’. The event took place on Tuesday at the Marquis Theatre and marked an important moment in the franchise’s expansion into live theatre.

Several well-known actors from the original series attended the premiere to show their support. These included Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Brett Gelman (Murray Bauman), and Matthew Modine (Dr. Brenner). They were joined by the show’s co-creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, writer Kate Trefry, director and executive producer Shawn Levy, and co-CEO Ted Sarandos. This gathering followed the successful run of the play in London’s West End.
Vecna’s origins
‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ serves as a prequel to the original series. Set in 1959, it explores the early life of Henry Creel — the character who later becomes Vecna. The story also features younger versions of key characters such as Joyce and Hopper, originally portrayed by Winona Ryder and David Harbour. The new cast includes Louis McCartney as the young Henry, TR Knight, Alex Breaux (who will also appear in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 as Dr. Brenner), Gabrielle Nevaeh, Rosie Benton, Andrew Hovelson, Alison Jaye, and Burke Swanson.
Noah Schnapp hints at an emotional ending
During the event, Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, shared his thoughts on the upcoming final season of ‘Stranger Things’. Attending the play for the first time, he offered a glimpse into what fans can expect. “People are going to be truly devastated,” Schnapp said. “Honestly, as sad as it was, I’m so excited to see the world’s reactions to watching the finale. There’s not going to be a dry eye. Not to be so negative. It is a really great season. And people will love it.”
The Broadway premiere highlighted the strong connections between the original cast and the creative team. Their presence reflected not only support for the theatrical production but also a shared excitement about the growing world of ‘Stranger Things’, now expanding into new formats and storytelling experiences.