Campbell Bower Checks On Orc Actors' Prosthetics
The actor, who plays Celeborn in The Rings of Power's third season, said he looks out for performers in heavy makeup on set.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Science Fiction
Jamie Campbell Bower, 37, plays Celeborn in the upcoming third season of Amazon Prime Video's The Rings of Power. He said he checks in on Orc actors who wear heavy prosthetics during filming.
Why it matters
Bower drew on his own experience wearing heavy prosthetics as Vecna on Stranger Things, which gives him firsthand insight into the physical demands on performers in elaborate makeup. His comments offer a glimpse into the on-set realities behind fantasy productions.
Make-up sessions for Bower's Vecna look began at 1am or 2am to prepare for shooting at 8am or 9am, and shooting days ran 10 to 12 hours with two hours of de-rigging each evening. The source does not report comparable schedules for Orc performers.
The players
Jamie Campbell Bower
British actor who previously played Vecna on Stranger Things and was earlier attached to a cancelled Game of Thrones prequel.
Barrie Gower
Prosthetics expert who described the make-up process for Bower's Vecna look.
The details
Bower said he looks out for Orc actors wearing prosthetics on set, drawing on his own time in heavy makeup. Prosthetics expert Barrie Gower said Bower was on set almost round-the-clock when the make-up department first worked on his Vecna look.
Timeline
Third season of The Rings of Power releases on Amazon Prime Video (date not specified).
Big Picture
Bower's sixteen-hour-plus Vecna make-up routine on Stranger Things, which began before dawn, offers a direct benchmark for the physical toll of heavy prosthetics. His remarks suggest that performers in such roles on Amazon Prime Video's The Rings of Power face similar demands.
The third season of The Rings of Power is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Viewers can watch Bower's Celeborn storyline as the season releases.
The takeaway
Behind-the-scenes accounts like Bower's highlight the long hours and physical strain performers endure under heavy prosthetics. Viewers may gain appreciation for the work that goes into creature and fantasy roles on screen.
Further reading
Explore more science fiction coverage for context on fantasy productions like The Rings of Power.
