“He came and saw me in London and he said something really hilarious, really nice but funny.
The 22-year-old is coming to the end of his role as troubled teen Henry Creel in the Broadway production Stranger Things – The First Shadow, having played the same role in the West End in London.
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday World this week, the former Sullivan Upper pupil says he’s looking forward to seeking a new role next March when he returns to the UK and reveals how Belfast actors look after each other.
“Anthony Boyle kind of took me under his wing,” says Louis. “He came and saw me in London and he said something really hilarious, really nice but funny.
Anthony Boyle attends the “House Of Guinness” London Premiere at Picturehouse Central on September 23, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/WireImage)
“He told me how Jamie Dornan came and saw him in something and Jamie said to him after ‘Aw man I’ve got this almost paternal care for you now, I don’t know why but I feel like I’ve got to take care of you, we’re Irish blood and I want to see you shine – I’ve just got all the hope in the world for you’.
“Anthony told him that’s great, that’s so kind of you, thank you so much but he didn’t really understand it and then he came and watched me in London and immediately, I mean there’s only a few years between us, and he felt that want to care, that Irish need and that’s what he did and he took care of me.
“So the cycle continues and hopefully I feel that way for the next Irish kid coming through and starting his career and I boost somebody else by giving them a leg up or two.”
Stranger Things stage show
Despite being so young, Louis has spent much of the last few years living in two of the biggest cities in the world and has had to grow up fast and says it would have been very easy to lose his way.
“It’s pretty easy to go off the rails,” he says. “I’ve worked with and met with a lot of people who’ve turned sour but it happens and it happens imperceptibly.
“So Anthony is my guide – he’s always there and I can ask him anything – he’s just a good mate.”
Belfast-born actor Boyle had his big break last year when he starred in the award-winning Disney+ series Say Nothing, playing the role of IRA man Brendan Hughes, and he is now playing Arthur Guinness in the Netflix show House of Guinness.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set in Indiana 20 years before the events of the Netflix show’s first season and the play focuses on the life of McCartney’s Henry Creel as a shy, awkward teen.
Stranger Things stage show
Fans of the TV show will know the teen becomes the villainous monster Vecna in the fourth season – and season five is due to start soon.
Louis played the role at the Phoenix Theatre in London and then took on the role again in a marathon run in New York which started in April and ends next March.
It was the most Tony-nominated play of the year and while Louis didn’t win his nomination, the play itself won four awards.
McCartney, who graduated at the Bow Street Academy in Dublin, grew up in a Coastguard’s Cottage in Holywood, Co Down, and says when he leaves the US he’ll be setting up home in England with his partner.
“I’ve got five months left and then I’m up and out of here sadly in March,” says Louis. “Before you start the job they tell you we’re going to open in April and then you’re going to do it until March so March 29 is my last performance.
“I’ve been discussing that day more and more with my mates and my partner and people I work with about how it’s all going to feel like.
Stranger Things
“I got some advice to just take a moment when it all finishes because it’s going to be weird because I’ve been doing this for like two-and-a-half years. It’s every night and two on Saturday and two Sunday.
chance
“I’ll be living in England when I finish but I’ll be back home to Northern Ireland to see my dog, see my cat, see my mum my dad and my brother. They have been to London several times but have not yet been to New York yet but they’re coming.” Initially Louis trained in Dublin as a screen actor rather than the stage and had a role in Hope Street and now says he would love a role in something like Blue Lights if he got the chance, although fantasy is his real love.
“I’m actively looking for work in March and keeping that ball rolling,” he says. “Always keeping fingers in pies and poking and prodding people and saying ‘hey what about me – do you like me?’
Stranger Things stage show
“I’m looking for the next thing because I’m leaving this behind soon and it’s been lovely to have the job security.
“I’m not scared about being out of work – I’m actually really hopeful. I see myself as being available which is the most important thing.
“I’d be up for a role in something like Blue Lights, it’s super cool. All those Troubles-related projects are really good because they’re tasteful and they are able to capture what happened accurately because there’s a lot of Irish talent nowadays left behind after Game of Thrones which is really nice because there’s a hub of people over there (in Ireland) who know what they’re doing now.
“I’d love to do something a bit more psychological like Henry Creel – something I can sick my teeth into.
“I love fantasy, different worlds, vast concepts, I read a lot of fantasy books. If you know the Eregon series by Christopher Paolini – I’d love to do that if it ever gets made but if it does I’d be first to jump at that.”
And Louis has nothing but praise for east Belfast drama teacher Catherine Gardiner who helped him on the road to the actor he is today.
Last year Catherine – who runs the CAST School of Speech and Drama – told the Sunday World how Louis was her star pupil and how she wasn’t surprised he had secured such a coveted role so young.
“Catherine Gardiner was really nice and so important to me getting to where I am today – she was a big supporter of me and so was my drama teacher at school,” says Louis.
“I did all the work for LAMDA (the London Academy of Music and Performing Arts) but I never finished my diploma because I did all the work I’d just got a job on Hope Street.
learned
“I learned so much going through all the LAMDA grades with Catherine because you have to prepare to do you piece in front of some examiner in some hotel and it’s really scary but it’s great preparation.”
He says he’s had the best time playing the lead role in Stranger Things and living in New York and London.
“It’s been an absolute whirlwind, I mean I’ve grown up so much,” he says.
“In theatre you’ve got to grow up quick because there’s a lot of expectations and if you want to skip a couple of stones and hop over to the other bridge or the pond you’ve got to show a lot of grit and show a lot of graft and really tell people what you’re worth.
“I’m so thankful – I know so many people might say that – but seriously some days I’m talking with Alex who’s playing Dr Brenner here and we’re like ‘man what a night that was crazy’.”