Raphael Luce was ten years old when he asked his parents to move the entire family to Los Angeles so he could become an actor. Somehow, they said yes. It was, as it turns out, a good call.

The son of circus performers and stunt artists, he grew up in a world where transformation was simply part of daily life, where identity was fluid, risk was ordinary, and storytelling lived in the body as much as the mind. It makes sense, then, that when the Stranger Things casting team went looking for a young Henry Creel, they found someone who already knew, instinctively, how to inhabit another skin. There’s something in Luce that resists easy reading, a stillness that can turn electric without warning, and it’s precisely that quality that made his portrayal of the boy who would become Vecna so quietly unsettling.

Since then, things have kept moving. He’s appeared in Dracula, is connected to Luc Besson’s upcoming Dracula: A Love Tale, has signed with Elite Model Management, and has quietly built a following of millions who are paying close attention to whatever comes next. We sat down with Raphael to talk about what it really felt like to land the role that changed everything, dealing with a tornado evacuation on set, and settling the debate no one was having – marmite or marmalade.

A lot of people first discovered you as Young Henry Creel in Stranger Things. Tell us about your acting journey that led to that role.

Acting started pretty early for me. My parents are circus performers and stunt performers, so I grew up around creativity, but the decision to pursue acting seriously actually came from me. When I was about ten, I asked my parents if we could move back to Los Angeles so I could get into acting. Somehow they agreed, and our whole family ended up diving into the industry together.

Before Stranger Things, I’d only had a couple of real experiences on professional sets. One of them was Loki, where I had the chance to do a scene with Owen Wilson. Watching actors like him work up close made a big impression on me and really confirmed that I wanted to keep going.

When Stranger Things came along, it felt like an incredible opportunity, but I don’t think I fully understood what it would become at the time.

How did you handle stepping onto a set like Stranger Things, knowing how big the show already was?

The funny thing is that when I booked the role, I actually hadn’t watched the show yet. I knew what it was, of course, but I hadn’t followed it closely. After I got the job, I started binge-watching the entire series, and that’s when it really hit me how huge it was. My best friend was losing his mind over it since he was a big fan of the show.

Once you arrive on set, though, you just focus on the work. The Duffer Brothers and Shawn Levy are incredible directors. They’re very precise but also very supportive; they guided me through it all. As a young actor, it was amazing to listen to them and learn from the way they approach storytelling.

You were playing a younger version of Vecna, one of the show’s most iconic villains. How closely did you work with Jamie Campbell Bower to shape the character?

Interestingly, I didn’t actually meet Jamie Campbell Bower during filming. The production was extremely secretive, and because my scenes take place earlier in the timeline, our paths never crossed on set.

While I was filming, I mostly had to imagine where Henry’s story might eventually go. I didn’t have much information about how the character would evolve into Vecna or how Jamie would portray him. The first time we actually met was later at a Comic-Con after the show had already aired, which was a pretty funny moment considering how connected our characters are. Any credit for how closely our mannerisms and looks aligned really belongs to the brilliant casting team.

The Stranger Things cast seems incredibly close. Who did you bond with the most during filming?

Because of the way my character appears in the story, I didn’t actually spend that much time filming with the main cast. Most of Henry’s scenes are quite isolated and take place in a different timeline, so the character himself is very much on his own. The main actor I interacted with on screen was Natalia Dyer, who plays Nancy, and she was wonderful to work with.

That said, there were still moments during the shoot when I got to meet and spend time with some of the others. Millie Bobby Brown was incredibly welcoming, and we ended up chatting a bit in the dressing rooms between takes, which was really nice.

I also became friends with Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin. One of the most memorable moments was actually when production had to pause because of tornado alerts. We all had to take shelter for a while, and Gaten and I ended up passing the time playing games together. It turned into a really fun and unexpected way to bond in the middle of a pretty surreal situation.

You grew up in a family of performers and stunt artists. How did that shape your path into acting?

Growing up around performers meant you never knew what the next adventure would bring. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time on set with my mother, who was a stuntwoman. It was really exciting and definitely made me want to be part of it all. But my parents never pushed me into it. If anything, they made sure I understood how difficult this industry can be.

When I told them I wanted to pursue acting seriously, they supported me, but they also made it clear that it takes patience and resilience. Seeing the behind-the-scenes reality of the industry from a young age probably helped prepare me for it.

Before the bigger projects came along, what were those early auditions like?

When I first started auditioning, it was actually pretty funny. Like many actors today, most of it was self-tapes, and at the beginning we had no idea what was expected. Instead of a simple setup, we would turn the auditions into little short films using whatever locations we had around us. Only later did we realise most people were just filming in front of a plain background.

It was fun, though, and it helped me be creative early on. Auditioning definitely has a learning curve, and I’m still figuring it out. The approach changes depending on whether it’s for film, TV, or theatre, and those are things you learn over time. Acting classes and workshops help, but the biggest lessons really come from doing it again and again.

Your Instagram mixes acting, travel, and fashion. How did modelling enter the picture?

Fashion came into my life pretty naturally through photoshoots and collaborations. For me, fashion is a form of play. It’s another way to explore character and identity. I love working with creative teams and discovering different sides of myself through styling or imagery, especially when it’s something I wouldn’t normally wear in everyday life. In a way, it feels very similar to acting because you’re still telling a story visually.

What excites you most about where your career could go next?

I feel like I’m just getting started. There are so many directions to explore, and that’s what excites me the most.

At the same time, I hope the industry finds its footing again. It’s been through a difficult period with Covid, the strikes, and the rapid changes happening with technology and AI. I’d love to see more passion projects and original stories getting support again. There are so many talented people out there with incredible ideas.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known earlier in your career?

Probably the importance of letting go a little and not being afraid to look silly. When you’re starting out, it’s very easy to overthink everything, especially auditions. You worry about whether you’re doing it “right,” whether casting directors will like your choices, or what the outcome might be.

But the truth is that acting works best when you allow yourself to play, take risks, and fully commit to the moment without worrying too much about how it will be received.

How do you decide what projects to take on next?

Right now, I try not to overthink it too much. I’m curious, and I want to play. I want to explore many different characters. I feel ready to step outside my comfort zone and be a bit silly. If a role pushes me or introduces me to people I admire, that usually feels like the right direction.

You’ve built a huge following online. Do you feel a responsibility toward younger fans who follow you?

Definitely. Social media can be a powerful thing, and a lot of people are paying attention.

I try to stay true to myself while also being mindful of the example I’m setting. There’s already so much negativity in the world, so if I can contribute something positive or encourage people to be themselves without fear of judgement, that matters to me.

What are you hoping to explore creatively in the coming years?

Photography and filmmaking are big passions of mine, and I love collaborating with friends on projects where we can experiment and learn together. I see my future as a mixed-media art project. I want to try everything: being in front of the camera, behind it, and making beautiful things with great people.

You attended a Comic-Con before your episode aired. What was that experience like?

I’ve actually attended quite a few Comic-Cons since season four aired a few years ago. It’s always fun to meet the fans. They give you so much support, and in the end, it’s really for them that we act.

It has also been an amazing way to travel and experience different cultures. The first Comic-Con I attended was in Paris, and I was honestly shocked by the number of people who came to meet the cast. I couldn’t believe they actually knew my name.

Having a million followers on social media is great, but at the end of the day it’s just a number on a screen. Meeting thousands of people face to face gives it a completely different meaning. I’m incredibly grateful for the fans.

You also appeared in Loki early in your career. What did you take away from that experience?

Working on Loki was one of my first real experiences on a big set, so it was a huge learning opportunity.

Being able to share a scene with someone like Owen Wilson and watch the way experienced actors work was incredibly inspiring. It gave me a glimpse of the level of dedication and precision that goes into great performances.

Quick Fire

Alpine skiing or archery?

Alpine skiing (I wish I could find the time to go every year!)

Acrobatics or stand-up paddleboarding?

Acrobatics (that’s just the nature of my upbringing!)

Dracula or Stranger Things?

That’s mean! Stranger Things propelled me… but I had more fun on Dracula.

France or USA?

Another one I can’t quite pick. They both have their charms. No matter which one I’m in, I forget all about the other. They’re like parallel universes.

The catwalk or a cat?

How about my cat on the catwalk? I have a gorgeous Highlander… or I’m on the catwalk with my cat.

Bowie or Björk?

The Beatles.

Paris or LA?

Stop! Paris for the glam, LA for the weather and my friends.

American English or British English?

American English.

Marmite or marmalade?

Marmalade.

The Queen or the band Queen?

The band.

Back in time or forward in time?

Back in time.

De Niro or Al Pacino?

De Niro.

Star Wars prequels, originals, or sequels?

Originals.

Stranger Things on Netflix now

Photographer Jemima Marriott

Stylist Sayuri Bloom

Grooming Melody Chantler

Stylist Assistants Meg Hetherington, Kate Doxey, Ezekiel Sok

Production Assistants Emily Georg

Top image credit

Long White Coat Olivia Black White Suit Olivia Black White Shirt Yuhan Ao