While Holly Wheeler may be enduring Vecna’s world in the latest episodes of Stranger Things 5, for stars Nell Fisher and Jamie Campbell Bower, spending time together proved to be a much more joyous time. “When we came out for a week in December 2023 to do the table reads and costume fittings,” Fisher recalled of the pair’s first meeting, “I think that really started what became a really good friendship.” 

Fisher and Campbell Bower recently reunited to answer some questions about their time on the set and snap a few photos. Though Campbell Bower plays the villainous Vecna who has been wreaking havoc on the small town of Hawkins for several seasons, the actor looked for ways to connect to the character. “I think as an actor, you have to be in love with the characters that you play.”

Fisher shared what she used as her way into the more emotional moments for Holly, the youngest Wheeler sibling. “For scenes where I would have to cry, I would listen to ‘Bright Horses’ by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, which is just the most heartbreaking song. Yeah, it would just get me in floods of tears.” 

When asked about who supported him most early in his career, Campbell Bower reflected on his childhood when he first became a performer. “Certainly my mom and dad, to begin with,” he said. “They were so supportive of me, and I was the kid who would always put on shows in our living room for our parents, dressing up all the time with my best friend.” 

The two actors reminisce about the early days of table reads, working with their castmates, and whether it’s scarier to be in the Upside Down or to drop a Stranger Things spoiler. 

Watch the video below for more of the actors’ conversation. 

Jamie Campbell Bower & Nell Fisher On Table Reads, Cast BFFs & Stranger Things Spoilers