Jamie Campbell Bower Reflects on Vecna’s Fate in Stranger Things Finale
Jamie Campbell Bower, who portrays Vecna in Stranger Things, shares his thoughts on his character’s fate in the season 5 finale and why he believes it was the right way for the series to end. He also reveals how he learned about Vecna’s death during a remote table read.
Jamie Campbell Bower, known for his chilling portrayal of Vecna in the final season of Stranger Things, has come to terms with how his character’s journey wraps up. During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, Bower opened up about his feelings regarding the series’ conclusion and the role Vecna played in it.
“It’s the ending the show deserves,”
Bower shared. He explained that being a longtime fan made joining the cast a dream come true, and he felt grateful to be part of such a beloved series. Even as the actor behind the show’s main villain, Bower admitted the outcome felt appropriate. He pointed out that the story has always centered on themes like friendship, love, hope, and joy, so it made sense for the character who stands against those values to meet his end.
“All he really needs is a hug, though,”
Bower joked, adding a touch of humor to the conversation.
Discovering Vecna’s Fate
Vecna’s demise comes in episode 8, the series finale, when Joyce Byers, played by Winona Ryder, finally takes him down. However, Bower revealed that he didn’t know about his character’s fate until the table read for that episode. The experience was especially unusual for him, as he was forced to attend remotely due to contracting COVID-19.
Bower described the moment as surreal. While the rest of the cast gathered in the Atlanta studio, he found himself isolated in his apartment, participating through a computer screen.
“Isolated, alone, lonely… like Vecna,”
he quipped, drawing a parallel between his own situation and that of his character.
Embracing the End
Despite the surprise, Bower expressed a sense of peace with how things turned out. He acknowledged that Vecna’s defeat was necessary for the story’s resolution and that it brought the series full circle. For Bower, being part of Stranger Things was a significant milestone, and he felt honored to contribute to its legacy, even if it meant saying goodbye to his character in such a dramatic fashion.