Stranger Things 5: Jamie Campbell Bower Reveals What Went Behind 'Making Of Vecna', Praises Co-Star Millie Bobby Brown

Stranger Things Season 5 has returned with a darker, more menacing version of Vecna, and Jamie Campbell Bower is giving fans a deeper look into the transformation that brought the villain back to life.

The actor revealed how improved prosthetics, detailed costume engineering, and a sharper blend of CGI contributed to Vecna’s evolved appearance. He also reflected warmly on working with Millie Bobby Brown, whose emotional intensity and authenticity helped shape some of the season’s most gripping scenes.

Vecna is back and Jamie has THIS to say

With the highly anticipated release of Stranger Things 5 Volume 1, Vecna’s comeback immediately grabbed attention. Fans instantly noticed that the villain looked scarier and more refined than ever. According to Bower, this season pushed the technical and creative boundaries of his transformation. “This season was definitely more of a blend between practical and CG,” he told Variety. “On a practicality level, the face is all prosthetics, the shoulders are prosthetics, and the hands are prosthetics, but everything else is a morph suit," he explained, acknowledging prosthetic makeup head Barrie Gower, costume designer Amy Parris and concept artist Michael Maher for the intricate work.Bower revealed additional tweaks that elevated Vecna’s presence. Gower added shoulder pads and two large blocks on the sides of the suit to adjust his posture and create a more eerie silhouette. Parris, on the other hand, included a three-inch rise in his footwear to ensure Vecna towered over everyone else. The application process also became more efficient. While Season 4 required “an inch and a half of foam latex to get through,” this year’s version used only “a millimetre,” giving Bower greater mobility.

Jamie on friendship with Millie Bobby Brown

The actor also opened up about returning to intense scenes with Millie Bobby Brown. “Millie is wildly receptive, and that’s what makes her an incredible actor,” he shared. Her ability to stay emotionally immersed brought remarkable realism to their confrontations. “There were definitely moments where we were working and she was in full terror, which, of course, is something that you need and want for the scenes,” he added.Despite the haunting atmosphere, their off-screen friendship often added warmth to dark moments. Bower recalled a touching incident where Brown instantly felt calm after recognising him beneath the costume. “She went, ‘Oh, no, I know it’s you now. I feel safe because I can smell your cigarettes.’”As Vecna rises once again, Stranger Things 5 promises to deliver some of the most powerful performances and terrifying sequences in the series yet.