In Paris for Comic Con France, Stranger Things actor Raphael Luce spoke about his experience joining the hit Netflix series, navigating secrecy on set, and growing up in a family deeply connected to performance and stunt work.
Luce described the audition process for Stranger Things as long and uncertain—something many young actors experience when auditioning for major productions. After multiple callbacks and weeks of waiting, he eventually received confirmation that he had landed the role, a moment he recalls as both thrilling and surreal.
For Luce, the highlight of being part of the show goes beyond its massive popularity. He emphasized the importance of the working environment, noting how inspiring it was to collaborate with experienced actors and crew members on such a high-level production.
“I think it’s just being in the environment, being able to go on set and work with these incredible people and actors.”
Due to the show’s strict confidentiality, Luce wasn’t immediately told the full details of his character. In fact, it took a significant amount of time before he understood exactly who he was playing. During that period, he tried to piece things together by observing others on set and asking subtle questions—turning the mystery into part of the experience.
“I didn’t know who I was playing until like a year or two into shooting because they’re very secretive of what they tell you (…) I was doing my whole Sherlock Holmes thing on set, asking everyone little advice or secrets they could tell me about my character.”
Although he plays a younger version of an existing character, Luce and Jamie Campbell Bower—who portrays the older counterpart—met for the first time at a convention. Scheduling and filming logistics kept their paths from crossing on set, making their first in-person meeting a memorable one.
When asked about his favorite character on the show, Luce didn’t hesitate.
“I think it’s Steve for me.”
The scale of Stranger Things fandom became clear to Luce during his first convention appearance—also in Paris. Seeing crowds of fans waiting just to catch a glimpse of the cast made the show’s global impact suddenly feel very real.
“I was in Paris and I had never met a fan and I didn’t know what to expect. (…) They brought us in this big car to the convention and right when they opened the doors, all of a sudden there were like 100 people in front of the door (…) That’s really when I realized, ‘Oh my God, wait, this is very cool.’”
Luce’s connection to France is personal as well as professional. With a French mother and an American father, he grew up moving between cultures and spent many of his formative years in France. That dual identity has shaped both his perspective and his career ambitions.
Acting was a natural path for Luce, who grew up surrounded by film sets and live performances. Both of his parents worked as stunt performers and circus artists, exposing him early on to physical performance. As a result, Luce has developed a strong interest in stunt work himself, including wire walking, acrobatics, and on-screen action—skills he hopes to use more extensively in future projects.
In addition to working in English-language productions, Luce has also taken part in French projects and recently signed with a French agent. He’s eager to expand his career on both sides of the Atlantic.
While keeping details under wraps, Luce confirmed that an upcoming project is set to begin filming in France later this year. Though the production will be shot in English, it marks another step forward in his international career.
With a background rooted in performance, a growing list of screen credits, and a clear enthusiasm for his craft, Raphael Luce is emerging as a young actor to watch—both on and off the world of Stranger Things.
