From ‘Stranger Things’ to ‘Dracula’, Raphael Luce navigates fame, identity and creativity while embracing growth, authenticity and new artistic challenges.
For many young actors, fame arrives gradually. For Raphael Luce, it happened almost overnight. His entry into the universe of ‘Stranger Things’ not only made him part of one of the most influential television series of the past decade, it also forced him to grow up publicly under the gaze of millions of viewers around the world.
The actor knew the series was hugely popular, although he had not had the time to watch it before joining the cast. Everything changed when the first trailer was released — and he realised he appeared in a large portion of it. Out of curiosity, he decided to post a brief greeting on social media. Within hours, he had gained nearly a million followers. “That was the moment I understood how big it really was. Later, meeting fans in person made me realise that those numbers represent real people, with emotions and expectations. That changes everything.”
The experience was exhilarating, but also demanding. Constant travel, international press events and a new level of visibility gradually altered his relationship with spontaneity and privacy. “You start becoming aware that everything you say or do can be observed and judged. I try to remain myself, but it’s part of the job.”
After the global success of the series, Luce took a bold step by joining ‘Dracula’, directed by Luc Besson. Rather than viewing it simply as a change of genre, he describes the experience as an important stage of learning. “My character reflected exactly where I am in my career — observing, learning and absorbing everything.”
Working alongside Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz proved to be an inspiring experience. Watching Jones remain fully immersed in character even off set fascinated him, while sharing scenes with Waltz felt like working alongside a true cinematic legend. The fact that the project was directed by Luc Besson, a filmmaker behind several of his favourite films, made the entire experience feel almost surreal.
Despite the gothic tone of ‘Dracula’, Luce did not feel completely out of his element. The darker emotional atmosphere of ‘Stranger Things’ had already prepared him for those types of narratives. According to him, both characters share a certain outward innocence — though expressed in very different ways.
Off screen, Luce has also attracted attention for the natural ease with which he blends traditionally masculine and feminine energies in his public image. For him, this is not a provocation but rather a generational perspective. “I want to encourage people to be whoever they want to be. There is already enough hatred in the world.”
Fashion, in that sense, becomes another form of creative exploration. “It’s playful. I discover new parts of myself when I wear something I would never normally choose in my everyday life.”
From within the industry, Luce recognises that the entertainment landscape is currently navigating a complex moment, shaped by the aftermath of the pandemic, industry strikes and the growing presence of artificial intelligence. Still, he remains optimistic about the future. “There are incredibly talented people with amazing stories to tell, and I want to be part of that movement.”
When choosing new projects, he is less interested in making the “perfect” career move and more focused on the experience itself. Curiosity — and the people involved — often guide his decisions. If a project pushes him outside his comfort zone, he considers it a promising sign.
Looking ahead, the actor hopes to continue balancing several passions: acting, reconnecting with audiences around the world, and developing his growing interest in photography and filmmaking alongside close friends. For Raphael, fame is not a destination but an ongoing process of discovery. Growing up in front of the public eye has taught him something essential: authenticity on screen can only exist when you first learn to accept who you are beyond the camera.
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