Jamie Campbell Bower is taking a break from villains after mental toll of Stranger Things 5
Jamie Campbell Bower says he had discussions with his therapist about the difficulty of playing Vecna.
Stranger Things actor Jamie Campbell Bower has revealed that he’s taking a break from playing villains after Vecna.
After joining the cast in season 4, it’s literally impossible to imagine Stranger Things without Jamie Campbell Bower and his terrifying portrayal of Henry Creel/Vecna/001.
Vecna is by far and away the scariest part of the Netflix series thanks to his penchant for tormenting teenagers like Chrissy and Max in season 4, and now his horrifying plan to kidnap young children in Hawkins to use as ‘vessels’ to create a new world in season 5.
Not only does Jamie depict Vecna perfectly underneath the special effects makeup, but he also brings new layers to the character as his ‘human’ counterpart Henry Creel…who is also pretty terrifying at times.
However, Jamie’s portrayal of Vecna didn’t just leave a lasting impact on fans. He’s now said that it “f—ed” him up.
Jamie Campbell Bower reveals how long it took to transform into Vecna
Speaking at MegaCon Orlando earlier this year, ahead of Stranger Things 5‘s release, Jamie revealed that he discussed the toll that playing villains takes on him in therapy. Explaining the advice that his therapist gave him, Jamie said: “We were going through some stuff, and he was like, ‘We really need to make sure that you carve out time for you whenever you’re working next.’”
As for his response Jamie said: “I turned around to him, and I was like, ‘Yeah, to be honest with you, man, I just don’t think I’ll be doing another bad guy for a minute.'” He then added: “Like it f—s me up. I’m dead serious.”
Discussing Vecna specifically, Jamie continued: “It’s been amazing – and it’s been an incredible journey – to join the show from season 4, to be part of something that so many people love and something that I loved as well and still love.”
He ended by saying: “But I definitely am ready to hang up the foam latex and wish him a slippery farewell.”
Jamie isn’t the only actor to speak out about the negative effects of playing villains on screen. Evan Peters previously took a break from American Horror Story because of how heavy it was. Speaking to GQ in 2018, he said: “I’m goofy, I’m silly, I like to have fun. I don’t like to yell and scream. I actually hate it. Horror Story demanded that of me.”
Someone cast Jamie and Evan in a buddy comedy now!
