Louis McCartney

Louis McCartney (born 27 July 2003) is an Irish actor. He is best known for originating the role of Henry Creel in the original West End and Broadway stage productions of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play.

Early life and education McCartney was born on 27 July 2003 in Belfast to Michael and Ruth McCartney, a screenwriter and holistic therapist, respectively. He has an older brother who works as an ocean explorer. He studied acting at Bow Street Academy, Dublin.

Career In 2022, McCartney appeared in Comedy Blaps episode William of Orangedale on Channel 4. He had small roles in The Tourist and Game of Thrones. He had a recurring role as Shay O’Hare in Northern Ireland crime drama series Hope Street.

McCartney could be seen in the lead role in 2023 British film Silent Roar. His performance was described by Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian as “intelligent and sympathetic”.

In December 2023, he made his London West End theatre debut in Stranger Things: The First Shadow playing Henry Creel. 20 years old at the start of the run, he had never been in a West End Theatre prior to his casting. David Benedict in Variety said the success of the play "is due in no small part to the way [McCartney] holds focus even in the midst of one coup-de-theatre after another". He won Best Performer in a Play at The Stage Debut Awards in 2024. He reprised the role when the play transferred to Broadway in the United States, appearing from April 2025, at the Marquis Theatre in New York, where he received multiple award nominations for his performance including the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

Acting credits Film and television Year Title Role Notes 2019 Game of Thrones King's Landing Citizen 1 episode 2019 Grounding David Short 2020-2023 Hope Street Shay O'Hare 22 episodes 2022 William of Orangedale Nathan 2023 Silent Roar Dondo Lead role 2023 Crusts Fergal Short 2024 The Tourist Cashier Series two 2025 Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow Himself (Henry Creel) Documentary Recurring role Ringo Starr Upcoming

Theatre