London’s upcoming stage production of “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” has announced its full cast, including who will play young Hopper, Joyce, Dr. Brenner and Henry Creel (who will later turn into Vecna) — characters from the show played by David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Matthew Modine and Jamie Campbell Bower, respectively.
From Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” acts as a prequel to the Duffer Brothers’ hit series, beginning in 1959 Hawkins, Ind.
With production on the upcoming fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” paused indefinitely until the writers and actors strikes are settled, this West End stage production will have to tie fans over in the meantime.
(L-R) Oscar Lloyd (James Hopper, Jr.), Isabella Pappas (Joyce Maldonado), and Christopher Buckley (Bob Newby)
Charlie Gray/Netflix © 2023
“The cast of ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ is nothing short of phenomenal,” said the Duffer Brothers in a statement. The “Stranger Things” series creators serve as creative producers on the play. “These actors brilliantly explore the early days of many fan favorites — including Hopper, Joyce, Bob, Henry and Dr. Brenner — while also bringing new characters to vivid life. We couldn’t be more thrilled and can’t wait for you to meet them all live on stage. See you in London, nerds!”
The production will star Shane Attwooll (Chief Hopper), Kemi Awoderu (Sue Anderson), Chase Brown (Lonnie Byers), Christopher Buckley (Bob Newby), Ammar Duffus (Charles Sinclair), Gilles Geary (Ted Wheeler), Florence Guy(Karen Childress), Max Harwood (Allen Munson), Michael Jibson (Victor Creel), Oscar Lloyd (James Hopper, Jr.), Louis McCartney (Henry Creel), Isabella Pappas (Joyce Maldonado), Matthew Pidgeon (Father Newby), Calum Ross (Walter Henderson), Maisie Norma Seaton (Claudia Henderson), Patrick Vaill (Dr. Brenner), Lauren Ward (Virginia Creel) and Ella Karuna Williams (Patty Newby).
Manuel Harlan
Additional cast members include Tricia Adele-Turner, Lauren Arney, Reya-Nyomi Brown, Patricia Castro, Lydia Fraser, Isaac Gryn, Mark Hammersley, Tom Peters, Kingdom Sibanda, Tiana Simone, Danny Sykes and Meesha Turner.
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is written by Kate Trefry and is directed by Stephen Daldry with co-direction by Justin Martin.
“With rehearsals now underway, it’s a joy to discover the world of ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ with our ferociously talented cast and watch the alchemy amongst our entire company grow as we together explore this new play. They’re an extraordinarily gifted group of actors, and we can’t wait to share this origin story with audiences,” Daldry and Martin said in a statement.
The production will open on Dec. 14, 2023 at the Phoenix Theater in London’s West End.
