Jamie Campbell Bower reflects on final 'Stranger Things' scene as Vecna in season 5

Jamie Campbell Bower describes the bittersweet end of filming for 'Stranger Things' season 5 as Vecna

Jamie Campbell Bower has described the emotional experience of filming his final scene on Stranger Things, saying it felt like “taking the first breath of his life.”

The 37-year-old actor, who joined the Netflix series in season 4 as villain Henry Creel, also known as Vecna, returned for the fifth and final season.

Speaking with PEOPLE at the Los Angeles premiere in November, Bower explained that leaving the set was “bittersweet” but that he was “happy to finally be handing it over to the fans.”

He added, “It was like I had put down a bunch of bags that I'd been carrying around with me for what felt like four or five years. Somebody took a picture of me, and I just looked like a man who's just taken the first breath of his life.”

Season 5, Volume 1 is now streaming on Netflix, with Volume 2 scheduled for December 25 and the series finale set for December 31 at 8 p.m. ET.

In the first four episodes, Bower’s character Vecna continues his plan to control the Upside Down and threatens the main characters, including Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp.

Bower teased the final season, saying, “We are back, we are bigger, we are badder than ever,” and indicated fans could expect more intense moments than in previous seasons.

Reflecting on the demanding role, he admitted at MegaCon Orlando that he plans to take a break from portraying villainous characters, citing advice from his therapist about maintaining personal balance.

For fans, Bower’s comments provide insight into both the dedication required to play Vecna and the sense of relief and accomplishment he felt after completing his work on the series.