Jamie Campbell Bower’s Unlikely Breakout in Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd

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Jamie Campbell Bower is a well-known actor, famous for appearing in popular young adult series like The Twilight Saga, Harry Potter, and The Mortal Instruments. More recently, he’s captivated viewers as the villain Vecna/Henry Creel in Stranger Things, and he’ll be joining the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in 2026. It’s surprising to learn that, despite all these major roles, he actually began his career with another well-known project:

Tim Burton’s film, Sweeney Todd, is based on the famous musical by Stephen Sondheim. It tells the story of a barber who returns to London after a long absence, determined to get revenge on those who wronged him. Actor Jamie Bower played Anthony Hope, a sailor who arrives in the city and unexpectedly falls in love with the daughter of the barber, Johanna. While it was once more common for big movies to feature lesser-known actors, Bower’s casting could be one of the last examples of this practice in today’s Hollywood, where studios often prefer safer choices.

Jamie Campbell Bower Was a Novice in the Star-Studded Sweeney Todd

Before landing the role in Sweeney Todd, Ben Bower had only appeared in a small part in a TV movie called The Dinner Party. He gained most of his acting experience through local theater, and was still a student when he was cast as Anthony. Fortunately, he proved to be a capable performer, holding his own against established stars like Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman.

Bower’s fresh face and natural charm perfectly suited his portrayal of Anthony, capturing the character’s romantic innocence. This created a strong contrast with the more cynical characters in the story. While this role might not have launched his career, Bower made a real impact with his limited screen time, bringing a genuine and likable quality to Anthony that made audiences care about him. He was a welcome highlight in a generally dark narrative.

Despite feeling a bit overwhelmed working with such famous colleagues, as he shared with the Observer, Bower couldn’t have asked for a better beginning in the challenging world of acting. His quick success makes sense, but it likely wouldn’t have happened if industry leaders hadn’t believed in him as an unknown talent.

2025’s Hollywood Doesn’t Make Stars Like It Used To

It’s rare for an unknown actor to become a star in Hollywood these days, and Jamie Campbell Bower’s success story is unusual. Big studios like Warner Bros. and Paramount, who supported the film Sweeney Todd, are now much more cautious about casting newcomers in leading roles. Even if a talented unknown is found, most studios would still prefer to cast a well-known actor.

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It’s easy to see why Hollywood is facing challenges. Recent years have brought major disruptions, including the pandemic, the 2023 strikes, and the growing popularity of streaming services. The industry hasn’t returned to its pre-2020 success, and even previously reliable franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Harry Potter aren’t performing as strongly. While Hollywood is looking for its next big hit, it’s focusing less on finding the next big star.

Taking a chance on unknown actors in big-budget films, even for small parts, is always a risk. However, it’s easy to wonder if the industry is overlooking potential stars by playing it safe. Jamie Campbell Bower didn’t have a lot of experience when he was cast in Sweeney Todd, but that film really launched his career. While it was a gamble, it clearly paid off.

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2025-12-25 04:11