Louis Healy on Stepping into the World of Stranger Things: “It’s the Most Exciting Thing I’ve Ever Done”

Photo by Manuel Arlan

As the stage adaptation Stranger Things: The First Shadow continues its successful run in London’s West End, Louis Healy, the actor taking on the pivotal role of Henry Creel opens up about his journey into acting, the emotional demands of the role, the excitement of joining a global franchise, and what’s next for him after his time in Hawkins.

How did your acting career begin, and how did you find yourself in the West End with The First Shadow?

It all started when I was really young. My parents are both actors, so I grew up with the industry being completely normalized. I think the biggest privilege of that was seeing acting as a real job. For many, it feels unreachable, but for me, it was always something I could see myself doing.

I started getting into performing at school, maybe around 7 or 8. My parents could tell I had a natural talent for it, though once I got to 15 or 16, I definitely didn’t want their direction anymore—I wanted to do it my way! I got my first stage job at 12 in The Full Monty, playing a boy named Nathan. That was when the ball really started rolling. After that, I mostly worked in TV and film until Stranger Things.

Do you prefer TV or stage work? What are the biggest differences in preparation?

They’re completely different beasts. For theatre, you get weeks, sometimes months of rehearsal. By the time you hit the stage, you're incredibly prepared. But for TV, you might get your scene the morning of filming. It’s much more spontaneous.

On stage, mistakes happen all the time. Maybe someone says a line slightly wrong or someone’s in the wrong place. With this show especially, there are covers and swings constantly going on for people who are sick or on holiday. It’s impressive how seamless it always feels despite that. For example, this week someone covered the role of my mum for the first time ever, and she only found out an hour before the show started!

How did the role of Henry Creel come to you?

I knew The First Shadow had been running for a year already, and I’d heard amazing things. Around 2023, I told my agent I wanted to get back into theatre. I said, "Only theatre auditions this year, please." They warned me I’d get fewer auditions, but I was committed.

When this audition came through, I actually read for all the young male roles. It wasn’t until my final audition that the director, Stephen, handed me some Henry scenes and said, “Why haven’t you been reading for this?” I prepped them for a few hours, came back, and I could feel the room shift. I found out I got the part in July, and those two months waiting to start were the longest of my life!

Is it emotionally and physically draining to perform this role every night?

Oh, absolutely. We perform six days a week, with eight shows across those days. It’s emotionally intense, and physically exhausting. For a while, I was so focused on keeping my body healthy eating right, stretching, resting. I almost forgot how emotionally demanding it was too.

Lately, I’ve been working on mindfulness, trying not to take the show home with me. But it’s tough. Your adrenaline peaks at 9:30pm and then you’re wired, trying to get to sleep. It’s intense, but it’s the best job I’ve ever had.

Photo by Craig Sugden

With Stranger Things being such a massive global phenomenon, do you feel extra pressure playing Henry?

Yes, definitely, especially at the beginning. This is the first lead I’ve ever played, and Henry is the lens through which much of the story unfolds. But interestingly, a lot of people don’t realize right away that Henry is the main character. Because he’s so quiet and reserved early on, he blends into the background until the story starts to unfold.

I love that choice. It gives the audience a chance to reconnect with familiar characters like Joyce and Hopper, and it adds a subtle complexity to Henry’s story.

What’s your favourite thing about being part of The First Shadow?

The fans. Hands down. Seeing people who have never been to the theatre before come to this show because they love Stranger Things, that’s really powerful. They come from all over, spend weekends in London, and wait at the stage door. Some are now superfans of The First Shadow. It’s a beautiful thing.

Also, the theories! Fans are constantly speculating if there are Easter eggs about Season 5, or if characters from the play might cross into the TV series. It’s amazing to be part of something that means so much to so many people.

Have any cast members from the Netflix show come to see it?

Yes! A lot of the Stranger Things cast came during the show’s first year in London. And when it opened on Broadway this year, many of them attended the premiere. They’ve all spoken really highly of it.

Book your ticket to Stranger Things: The First Shadow here.

Words by Sal F.