Louis McCartney to star in 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' on Broadway

The actor made his professional debut in the play's London production, earning critical acclaim and awards for playing a popular character from the Netflix show.

Louis McCartney will star in Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway this spring, reprising his award-winning performance from London. The play's New York performances begin at the Marquis Theatre on March 28 ahead of an April 22 opening.

McCartney made his professional stage debut playing Henry Creel in Stranger Things: The First Shadow in London's West End. He won The Stage 2024 Debut Award for Best Performer in a Play and the Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Newcomer for his performance, which Deadline's critic called “one of the most breathtaking debut performances in the West End.”

"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," the show's director, Stephen Daldry, and co-director, Justin Martin, said in a statement. "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."

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set 30 years before the events of the hit Netflix show Stranger Things. In fictional, sleepy Hawkins, Indiana, Jim Hopper is a rebellious teen, Joyce Maldonado (later known as Joyce Byers) wants to move out, and Bob Newby is trying to start a radio show. But the arrival of new kid Henry Creel is about to unearth shadows of the past and turn Hawkins upside down.

The play is written by Stranger Things TV writer Kate Trefry, based on an original story by Trefry, the Duffer Brothers (creators of the TV show), and Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

Additionally, Stranger Things: The First Shadow will feature set design by Miriam Buether; costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel; lighting design by Jon Clark; sound design by Paul Arditti; original music, orchestration, arrangements, and supervision by D.J. Walde; illusions design and visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher; video design and visual effects by 59; choreography by Coral Messam; movement direction by Lynne Page; wigs, hair and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates; and technical direction by Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates.

Learn more about Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway.

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Photo credit: Louis McCartney. (Photo by Charlie Gray for Netflix)