Interview: Stewart Clarke on playing Dr Brenner in STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW
The new season of Netflix's Stranger Things is coming out this winter, but you don't have to wait that long to visit Hawkins, Indiana, because the stage show is playing right now! Stranger Things: The First Shadow is the thrilling play that acts as a prequel to the television show, and we were lucky enough to speak about it with Stewart Clarke, who joins the cast this November as Dr Brenner.
How does it feel to be joining the Stranger Things universe?
It’s super exciting. The world is such a unique mix of period detail, coming of age adventure, and Lovecraftian horror. When you join the show and start to hear music from the show peppered into the sound design, or visuals that echo what we’ve seen on TV, you realise how iconic this universe has become over the last 10 years.
Were you a fan of the television show before joining the cast? Did the screen portrayal of Dr Brenner influence how you approached the character?
I was and continue to be a big fan. Season 4 was an essential part of my COVID lockdown experience! As a tabletop nerd myself, the cross pollination of D&D horror fantasy and Sci Fi mystery was something I never knew I needed until Stranger Things premiered in 2016. Matthew Modine as Dr Brenner on screen has been a massive influence. There’s something almost ethereal about his presence. He’s almost translucent, physically there but lost in his own mind - a distant father to the poor test subjects under his watchful eye. I love the gentle timbre to his vocal performance as well, I’d love to channel some of that lightness of touch where I can.
What parts of Dr Brenner’s character are most interesting to you as an actor?
Dr Brenner is all about the subtext. He’s a man of many words, but few of them seem to actually betray how he really feels. It’s a great challenge for an actor to access the truth behind his intentions and know where to let some of that bleed through, and where to keep up the facade.
How do you hope audiences feel after watching Stranger Things: The First Shadow?
The First Shadow works really nicely as a standalone story, and I think there’s so much depth to be taken from the relationships forged by these characters on stage. That we can provide depth to previously established characters is incredibly fun, but I’m most excited for audiences to witness the arcs we’ve crafted specifically for this story too.
You recently left Les Misérables after more than two years in the cast. What have you taken with you from that experience?
Being part of such an iconic show was a gift. I had the most incredible time on the barricades. Truly a bucket list job. I’d never done a contract that long before and it certainly taught me a lot about stamina and grit. Raising two young children whilst playing Javert was always going to be a challenge, let alone for that period of time. Going from jumping into the Seine every night to making the packed lunches for the school run a few hours later was always a surreal moment! I treasure my time with Les Mis dearly, but similarly I’m very excited for a new challenge.
Are there any other dream roles you would like to step into in the future?
I seem to have fallen into playing a lot of morally dubious antagonists which suits me perfectly, they’re always the best parts! Perhaps I can continue the trend and swing my razor as Sweeney, or throw Mufasa from a cliff as Scar…
I’m always open to whatever opportunities come up - careers are never a linear path!
