“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” the Tony Award-winning play that comes before the popular Netflix series, is a truly unique show. It reveals the backstories of beloved characters and pushes the boundaries of how TV shows can expand their worlds. The actors involved recently told ComicBook at New York Comic Con about their approach to honoring the original characters and any discussions they had with the actors who first played those roles.
Burke Swanson portrays a young Jim Hopper in the series, playing the earlier version of the character famously known from *Stranger Things* and played by David Harbour. He shared with us how he developed his own interpretation of Hopper, avoiding just copying Harbour’s performance, though fans often try to connect the two versions in ways that weren’t necessarily planned.
Swanson explained that fans often forget the show isn’t aiming to perfectly recreate the historical setting of Hawkins, like a living history museum. Instead, they’re actively expanding and celebrating the existing story. He highlighted the challenge of honoring what fans already love while also adding new elements to the narrative. “So how do you find that balance of celebration while also adding to the thing that they already love?” he asked.
He explained that he focuses on three key aspects when performing: how he delivers lines – using examples of characters like ‘Bob’ and ‘Joyce’ – his physical presence and movement, and his overall perspective. He finds it incredible when audience members recognize subtle mannerisms, like him touching his earlobe, as reminiscent of the original performer, David. He sees these moments as proof that the performance honors both the source material and his own interpretation, as the work is informed by both David and himself.
Swanson explained that he hasn’t met Harbour yet, saying Marvel Studios is keeping him very busy and unavailable.
Alex Breaux faced a unique challenge playing a younger Dr. Brenner, the character originally portrayed by Matthew Modine. While drawing inspiration from Modine’s performance, Breaux focused on portraying how Brenner would behave and think at this earlier stage in his life.
Breaux explained that the play explores the origins of the scientist and what motivates his unusual approach, which blends neuroscience and physics. It delves into his past and the factors—both positive and negative—that are pushing him toward his current theory and ultimate goal as he works with the US Department of Defense.
I drew some inspiration from Matthew Modine’s work, but I also thought about how much we change from our younger selves – exploring that felt important. People are often very different early in their careers. With Dr. Brenner on the show, he seems so polished and confident in the lab, but I wanted to portray a more flawed character – someone less controlled, perhaps even a little reckless in his experiments. I aimed to show a combination of naivety and aggression that he’s since grown out of, something that time has smoothed over in the series.
Okay, so a huge part of what makes *Stranger Things: The First Shadow* so interesting is finally getting a deeper dive into Henry Creel – you know, Vecna, the big bad that’s been giving everyone nightmares for seasons. It really fills in a lot of the backstory on him, and that’s a major draw for me as a fan.
Louis McCartney is the sole original cast member from the West End production of The First Shadow appearing in the Broadway transfer. He first played the role in London in 2023 and is reprising it now. After performing the character for several years, McCartney shared that he’s gained deeper insights into the role, aided by discussions with Jamie Campbell Bower.
Paul McCartney shared that Jamie visited the production twice. The first visit, during the London run, was a huge boost, giving McCartney the encouragement he needed to continue. They had a good conversation, agreeing on many aspects of the show, and Jamie was particularly interested in the story of Henry and how the character had been developed. When Jamie saw the New York production, he was even more impressed, praising the improvement in quality and reiterating his pride in McCartney’s work.
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2025-10-16 20:18