Jamie Campbell Bower's Most Famous Roles Before "Stranger Things"

Published on 5/31/2022 at 5:55 PM

"Stranger Things" season four introduced a mess of minor characters — and a freaky new villain — that have us on the edge of our seats as we ask ourselves, "Who will make it to the end of the series?" Most notably, the new cast includes Jamie Campbell Bower, who takes on four chilling roles in the show's latest season. Bower's face first appears in episode five, "The Nina Project," where he is introduced as a friendly orderly at Hawkins National Laboratory, where Eleven was held and experimented on as a child. If something in his penetrating gaze, angular cheekbones, and hauntingly alluring presence strikes you as familiar, you're not alone.

Bower — who made his acting debut as Anthony in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" in 2007 — has starred in multiple fantasy roles, including in The Twilight Saga (yes, as one of the Volturi), "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I," and most recently, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald." Bower even made a cameo in Florence and the Machine's "Never Let Me Go" video in 2012 as Florence Welch's love interest.

In addition to his acting career, Bower, who hails from London, is a model and a musician, serving as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the English punk-rock band Counterfeit, which he cofounded in 2015. If his disturbing "Stranger Things" role has you sure you've seen him in something else before, check out some of Bower's biggest roles ahead.

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Bower began his onscreen journey in 2007 as Anthony Hope in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" alongside Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, and Sacha Baron Cohen. In the musical slasher, Bower's character, Anthony, is a young sailor who helps Sweeney Todd return to London by letting him on board his ship. Once they arrive in London, Anthony falls in love with a woman named Johanna and spends the remainder of the movie trying to help her escape the clutches of her guardian, Judge Turpin (Rickman).

The Twilight Saga

Bower has not one but three movies from The Twilight Saga on his résumé. In 2009, he made his first appearance in the franchise as Caius, one of the three ancient leaders of the Volturi vampire coven, in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon." While Caius mostly keeps to himself in the film, Bower reprises his role in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1" and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," where he joins his fellow Volturi as they try to kill Bella and Edward's daughter, Renesmee.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1"

In 2010, Bower left his mark on the Wizarding World as young Gellert Grindelwald in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1." During the film, Bower's character attempts to create a new world order where wizards rule over Muggles.

While filming, Bower also met Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, and the pair began dating. In 2011, the couple confirmed their engagement. However, a year later, Wright and Bower amicably ended their engagement.

"The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones"

Continuing his fantasy streak, Bower also starred as Jace Wayland — a half-magical Shadowhunter with supernatural abilities derived from angel blood — in "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," based on the book series by Cassandra Clare, in 2013. As Jace, Bower comes off as an angry, tortured soul with a tough exterior. During the film, he acts as a warrior and guide for Clary Fray as they fight off literal demons in an attempt to protect the "mundane" world.

"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald"

Bower reprised his Harry Potter role as the titular dark wizard in "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" in 2018. As Grindelwald, Bower escapes from the possession of the Magical Congress of the United States of America and leads an army of followers in an attempt to remove Muggles from power and create a world run entirely by wizards.