A new lead cast has been announced to join the critically acclaimed production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
The new company begins performances on 12 November 2025, just ahead of the release of the highly anticipated fifth season of the hit Netflix series.
As the show approaches its second anniversary in the West End, it will also extend into its third year at the Phoenix Theatre, now running until 5 April 2026.
Jack Christou will take over the role of Henry Creel with Stewart Clarke as Dr Brenner, Avril Maponga as Patty Newby, Max Potter as Bob Newby, Adam Wadsworth as James Hopper Jr. and Edie Wright as Joyce Maldonado.
The multi award-winning hit production is now running on both sides of the Atlantic, having opened on Broadway earlier this year. Its numerous accolades in London include the Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design, the Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Set Design and Most Promising Newcomer, and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play. On Broadway the play became the most nominated of the 2025 season, winning 4 Tony Awards including a special Tony Award for Illusions and Technical Effects. The Broadway production is currently booking tickets through March 2026 at The Marquis Theater.
Earlier this year, Netflix released the official documentary, Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which offers an electrifying look backstage during the making of the critically acclaimed, award-winning play in the lead up to its world premiere at London’s Phoenix Theatre in December 2023. It is available to watch now exclusively on Netflix.
ABOUT STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW
Are monsters born… or made?
In 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, the Creel family seeks a fresh start, especially their teenage son Henry, who is eager to escape his troubled past. Initially, things go well — he finds friendship and joins the school play. But when a wave of shocking crimes strikes the town, Henry is forced to confront a terrifying truth: is there something inside him that connects him to the horrors unfolding around him?
As this thrilling mystery races forward, shadows of the past are unleashed, relationships are tested, and the town of Hawkins faces the ultimate question: can the power of friendship outshine the darkness within?
With a cast of 32, this gripping stand-alone adventure will pull you deep into the world of STRANGER THINGS. Experience the heart-pounding excitement of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW—where suspense and spectacle lurk at every turn.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW is written by Kate Trefry, directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, original music composition, orchestration, arrangements and supervision by D.J. Walde, illusions design and visual effects by Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher, video design and visual effects by 59 Studio, choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction by Lynne Page, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, props supervision by Mary Halliday, dialect by William Conacher, casting by Jessica Ronane Casting CDG and international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan.
Additional information about STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW
Booking until
5 April 2026
Show Times
Friday, Saturday at 1pm
Sunday at 3pm
Tuesday-Saturday at 7pm
Running Time
3 hours including an interval
Theatre
Phoenix Theatre
Age Recommendation
12+
Access Performances
Sunday 28 September 2025 15:00 – Audio Described
Sunday 7 September 2025 15:00 – Captioned
Sunday 14 September 2025 15:00 – British Sign Language Interpreted (BSL)
Additional information about the new cast of Stranger Things
Jack Christou plays Henry Creel. His theatre credits include Matilda the Musical (RSC The Other Place). His television credits include Chloe, Pandemonium and Penny on M.A.R.S; and for film, Last Train to Christmas.
Stewart Clarke plays Dr Brenner. His theatre credits include Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), Mandela (Young Vic), Cabaret (Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre), Be More Chill (Shaftesbury Theatre, The Other Palace), Fiddler on the Roof (Menier Chocolate Factory, Playhouse Theatre), The Rink (Southwark Playhouse), Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), A Streetcar Named Desire (Curve, Leicester), Cool Rider Live, Godspell in Concert (Lyric Theatre), The Return of The Soldier (Hope Mill Theatre) and Ghost The Musical (UK tour). His television credits include Moonstone; and for film, Easy Virtue.
Avril Maponga plays Patty Newby. She is a recent graduate of Rose Bruford College, her theatre credits include Witness for the Prosecution (London County Hall). For film, her credits include Sightline.
Max Potter plays Bob Newby. His theatre credits include A Monster Calls (Barn Theatre), I Love to Fly (Little Angel Theatre), The Lodger (Lion and Unicorn Theatre) and Scissors (Greenwich Theatre).
Adam Wadsworth plays James Hopper Jr. His theatre credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor, All’s Well That Ends Well, Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Palace Theatre) and Patterns (Curve, Leicester). His television credits include Lewis, Marple and My Phone Genie.
Edie Wright plays Joyce Maldonado. She is a recent graduate of Guildford School of Acting and made her professional stage debut in Stranger Things: The First Shadow as Karen Childress in the 2024/25 cast.
