Henry Nelson[1] is a major supporting character in the television series, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin on Max. He is portrayed by Ben Cook.
Henry is a sophomore at Millwood High School and an arrogant, yet deeply talented ballerino. He is the partner to Faran…on and off the stage.
Biography[]
Henry started ballet in middle school and fell in love with the strength and precision of the art form. Henry's premiere battle was The Nutcracker in 2015 and he's been involved in multiple school and extra-curricular companies since.[1]
Personality[]
Henry is known as a good boy, kind and nice to everyone, especially to his ballet partner Faran Bryant, who tries to help her with her scoliosis problem.
Physical Appearance[]
Henry is a tall teenage boy with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. He has a thin and slender build but agile because of ballet.
Series[]
Season 1[]
Karen look on sullen as Faran and Henry practice their choreography, but an unimpressed Madame decides to call it a day and asks Faran to come into her office as she dismisses the class.[2]
Madame Giry cancels the full rehearsal since they are missing their lead dancer. She'll teach only the Baron and Baroness today. Faran eagerly offers to dance the part, which would be a waste of Giry's time. Faran and Henry leave as he vents over Giry's bullshit reasons for Faran not dancing the lead. She's the best dancer in the class, and he'll talk with Giry about it. She just wants him to leave her out of it. He tells her not to worry as he'll make it all about himself like he always does. He asks if she's going to the dance tomorrow, but she hasn't given it much thought. He's going and thinks she should too.
Henry finds Faran at the dance, and she says she's looking for Karen. He saw Karen when he came in but asks Faran for a dance. The pair end up dancing together most of the night, with Henry joining Faran and her friends on the dance floor as a group. He is horrified when Karen "falls" from the rafters.[3]
About a week later class, Faran and Henry rehearse the scene from Swan Lake. Afterwards, Giry talks to Faran in her office. She wants Faran to work one-on-one with Kelly to get caught up on what she's missed. Faran requests Henry instead, though Giry refuses, as Kelly has dedicated herself to Swan Lake. It's been a positive distraction for the grieving girl, so Giry's doing this for both of them. Faran needs the help badly and Kelly needs the distraction.
The next day, Henry confronts Faran at her lockers for telling Kelly that the only reason Kelly is coaching her is because her sister died. Faran, unlike everyone else, can't pretend she suddenly likes Kelly. She's not wired that way. Henry suggests having sympathy. It's hard to have sympathy for someone who isn't even a good dancer. Henry worked with Karen while Faran was in detention and she's gotten a lot better, just as good as Karen was. It's like dancing with her again. Faran tries to pry for more, but Henry just asks her to cut Kelly some slack.
On October 29th, Faran sits with Henry as she needs his help but doesn't want to ask over text. She wonders if Karen isn't really dead - if the person who fell was Kelly. The twins switch places all the time. He's the one who said it before, that it's like dancing with Karen. There are other things too, little clues. She figured out a way to be sure. If she's right and Kelly is actually Karen, she'll have a scar from the razors. All he has to do is volunteer to give “Kelly” a foot rub during PT. If she's wrong and there's no scar, she promises to let it go.[4]
Faran questions Henry is Kelly has that scar. Henry says he offered her a foot rub, and admits Faran isn’t crazy - she does have a scar. However, he thinks there’s many reasons she has that scar but, while Faran agrees the idea the twins switched places is ludicrous, something very wrong is happening.
Henry attends Imogen's Halloween party mainly to hang out with Faran. Sitting on the stairs, Henry asks if she and Kelly are BFFs. Faran isn’t sure, though Henry points out she’s projecting her feeling for Karen to Kelly. Faran announces she’s letting it go and should be having fun. The two lean forward, and after a moment of hesitation, kiss. Little do they know “A” is watching.[5]
After the fall break, Henry brings Faran food as she's practicing a variation for Madame Giry's friend. She wants to show that she can do more than just blend in with a gaggle of swans. He dismisses it as she couldn't blend-in even if she tried. She's a star and pops. He's glad she's presenting tomorrow as he wasn't sure if she even liked dancing. She's surprised, but concedes that while she hates the politics and pettiness around ballet, but the actual dancing, the purity of it, she loves it. He asks what happened to her back, assuming it's an accident. She tells him that she has scoliosis but had corrective surgery when she was eight. She was dancing from the age of six. When her first teacher saw the curve in her spine, her mom rushed her to a doctor. He asks if surgery was the only option or if she had to have surgery. Apparently, surgery was the only option. She wore a brace before and after the surgery. He asks if her back hurts, but it's nothing she can't handle. She has to go home as her mom is driving in from Pittsburg. She'll unfortunately be attending class tomorrow.
A day later, Faran visits Henry at the dance bar and he remarks on the amount of recasting's in this production. He congratulates her and asks if she's excited. She is, but asks for his help in taking a new picture for her bio for the board.
Faran nervously watches the crowd until Henry sneaks up behind her to wish her luck. He's not supposed to say that. He tells her that she looks beautiful so she kisses him. He tells her to leave it all on the floor, a sentiment she returns. She walks onto the stage and begins her performance. Backstage, everyone applauds the cast as Faran gushes that Imogen and Tabby made it back. They compliment her greatly and gush over her performance. Mouse sees Zeke rush in and gets Faran's attention. Zeke tells Faran to grab her things and they're leaving. Her mom was in an accident and is at the hospital right now. The news stuns Faran into silence.[6]
The Millwood Fall Carnival is in town, and Henry bought tickets for himself and Faran. They rehearse in the dance studio. He lifts her up and she gets a pang through her back. She lies that it's a twinge in her back. Henry has her lay down as he presses along her back, asking when the pain started. She meekly asks him to stop for a second, so he does. She's had the pain off and on for years; eight years. He's surprised she's been dancing through the pain. Most of the time her pain is manageable, but when she has a flare she takes Epsom salt baths and uses lots of ice. If it gets too bad, she gets a cortisone shot at the clinic. She's been dealing with it and continues to deal with. She walks off as she does some stretches.
Giry talks to Faran about her pain, telling her not to blame Henry. Giry broke her ankle during a performance, but danced through the pain. She took a sabbatical from ABT for three months because she couldn't put the slightest pressure on it. She refers Faran to a doctor. Faran finds Henry after the meeting. She's not pissed as she knows why he said what he did, though it is messed up he blurted out her business like that. He is sorry for that, but isn't sorry that she's going to get checked out. Speaking of, she tells him to come with her to Giry's specialist, and he agrees.
On carnival night, Faran and Henry ride the Ferris wheel in silence. Her glum face ruins the mood. He notices she's been quiet and asks what's on her mind. It's her mom, the doctor visit, and Giselle. He's sorry that he brought her as it's supposed to cheer her up. She claims it has and plasters on a smile. He fucked up and shouldn't have gone to Giry, blaming himself for her new reality. She's upset at the situation but not at him. He saw she was hurting and did something about it. She's going to dance again; better to take steps to fix what's wrong with her now before it gets worse. He knows she'll do it, and he will lay roses at her feet for her first performance at ABT. They share a sweet kiss.[7]
The next school day, Henry meets up with her in the hallway to ask for a movie date. She has PT after school so he asks about hanging out over Thanksgiving. She thought he had plans with his family, but they'll just be watching football and he would rather hang out with her. She remarks it can be arranged and kisses him. She texts Henry that night asking to go out. The next night, she takes her friends to a bar Henry told her about that doesn't ID.[8]
Over the next few days, Faran leans more into choreography since her dancing days are on pause. She directs Henry and another female ballerina in their dancing for her independent study.
Henry talks to Faran in her bedroom as they sit on her bed. While he was practicing the apple scene with Kelly, she kissed him. This angers Faran, as the bitching kissing him was not part of her choreographic vision. He quickly adds that it wasn't a make-out, and called her out as soon as it happened. She swore that she got caught up in the moment and wouldn't happen again. Faran appreciates his honesty, but is going to talk to Kelly about this. She nervously asks if Kelly really initiated the kiss. He doesn't know why he would want to kiss Kelly when he has her. She feels insecure that he hasn't said anything about her new look. He noticed, if that's what she's asking, and thinks she looks gorgeous. He didn't want to risk offending her or saying the wrong thing by complimenting her. She looks incredible as she always does. They chuckle and she kisses him. They being to make-out until Corey interrupts. She tells Prince Charming to say goodnight as Cinderella has homework. He starts to leave then twirls back to Faran, giving her a final goodnight kiss. He earns Corey's look of surprise disapproval on his way out.[9]
Everyone gathers at the Haworthe house for Christmas. They dance, laugh, and converse, with Kelly meeting Baby Adams for the first time. Everyone sits around the fire to reveal their favorite Christmas movies ever. Marjorie wants to share something with all of them. She's going to check into rehab but just wanted to spend the holidays with Noa before going in. Noa is so proud of her mom. Elodie invites her to stay with them until her mom gets better. Tabby chimes in that she's welcome here too, as the more the merrier. Corey assures Marjorie that they'll take care of her. She is included, as she's staying in Millwood permanently. Henry whispers to Faran that it'll make it harder to sneak into her room. Corey heard that, calling him Prince Charming. Faran tells him they'll figure it out. Since everyone is making an announcement, Shirley and Elodie are going to couple's therapy next week. So, no more Red Ranch Hotel for her. Mouse chimes in that she'll never go there alone, as she has everything she needs right here. Ash asks if they can finally confirm that Mash is canon. She looks around the rumor with a huge smile before kissing him in response. Shawn and Noa kiss, followed by Kelly and Greg, Henry and Faran, and finally, Imogen rests her head on Tabby's shoulder.[10]
Season 2[]
Henry and Faran are in a stable relationship for six months, staying together through Archie Waters's trial and Faran's physical therapy to strengthen her back. During the final week of school, Henry dances for Faran who is distant during the performance. He misses dancing with her and is bummed she hasn't been cleared to dance yet. He was hoping she would be cleared in time for the PBT dance program. She flashes back to her last meeting with her doctor, where she gives Faran the all-clear to return to ballet. In the present, she lies to Henry that she hasn't been cleared. He's sad because the summer program was her dream.
A few days later, following a strange conversation with Kelly, Faran goes to the dance studio where she confesses to Henry that she gave up her spot at PBT. She's been cleared to dance but doesn't want to anymore. She wants him to go anyway, but he doesn't want to go without his Juliet. He confesses that he loves her and would stay in Millwood for her.[11]
Faran and Henry discuss Imogen's job while he rubs her back. His job hunt is going well since every place is staffed up. He expected to be in Pittsburgh by now. He asks about lifeguard tryouts and if her doctor cleared her for it. She assures him that she was cleared and that it went great. Aside from Greg's trash-talking toxic energy. Henry is protective over Greg trash-talking Faran. She tells him she's got this and he reluctantly agrees.
While at tryouts the next day, Greg and Henry argue outside over Greg's treatment of Faran. She's upset with Henry for doing the opposite of what she told him. Greg calls Henry her "gay little boyfriend" so she decks him, knocking him on his ass. Coach Rhodes calls her into his office. After the meeting, Faran yells at Henry in his car over him interjecting himself when she tells him that she had the situation handled. She tells him that Rhodes made her captain, offering to see if she can get him a summer job at the pool. That wouldn't work for Henry because he can't swim. He'll figure out something to do. Kelly has been texting him about a project her youth group is doing since they need more guys. He might check that out.[12]
After a while, Henry shows her a flyer of the church play he’s decided to audition for. She assures her boyfriend she’s coming. He asks her how her job is going. She complains about the treatment she receives at the boys at the pool and how unserious they take her to be. Henry thinks she’s being too intense, and to earn their respect recommends she loosen up and act like one of the guys. She takes his advice at the pool and humiliates Stringbean, though he later abandons his post altogether which leads to a child almost drowning.
Faran recounts the story to Henry at her house. He suggests she stop beating herself over it, given she saved her life. She elaborates in that her reason for her guilt is that she made a mistake - she tried to be one of the guys but she isn’t - she’s a force that needs to be own up to it without fear. She asks him if it makes sense, and uses that strength to tell him her doctor gave her the all-clear to resume dance … weeks ago. Henry is upset at her deception and asks why she didn’t tell him the truth. She says she was afraid of his reaction, and couldn’t bear slipping back in those ballet slippers with the metaphorical scars she still has. Henry decides to leave to her disappointment.[13]
A few days later, Faran is working at the pool when Henry visits with flowers. He's been feeling horrible about how they left things. He understands if she doesn't want to dance anymore - she doesn't owe him an explanation. He's sorry and gives her the flowers. He signed up for swimming lessons at the YMCA so he could be closer to her. She appreciates him making the effort, but if he wants to learn how to swim, she can teach him private lessons after hours. He smiles as that sounds better than the YMCA.
That night, Henry and Faran get into the pool for his first swimming lesson. She wraps her arms around his neck, as their first lesson will be holding his breath. She kisses him and wraps her legs around him. He helps her to the side until they're interrupted by Greg and Kelly, who have the same thoughts. She apologizes for interrupting. She wants to do something fun away from her mother but steers Greg away as they'll leave. Faran reluctantly says it's okay and that she doesn't need to leave. She invites them to jump in since the water is perfect. Grey and Kelly talk as Henry murmurs to Faran that now is a good time to let him drown.
Greg and Henry splash each other in the pool while Kelly and Faran talk off to the side. Kelly is glad Faran and Henry are doing better as they were going through some stuff. This surprises Faran, as Henry is talking to her about them. Kelly assures her that it's not just her. Pastor Malachi has been holding group sessions in which everyone has to participate. They get super vulnerable and truthful, and the group trauma bonds. Faran laughs nervously as it's nice to know their relationship is so traumatizing. Kelly laughs it off as it's not that. Henry's been struggling with the fact Faran's been lying to him for so long. Faran is upset about this and looks at Henry angrily.[14]
Faran is hanging out with her friends at school a few days later when her phone rings, making them all jump. They tell her not to answer, but she tells them to relax as it's just Henry. She declines it and Noa asks what's up with that. Faran isn't sure how much longer she and Henry are for this world. They ask her a bunch of questions at once. Faran admits they've been drifting apart all summer, even before Bloody Rose came after them. The latest blow is that Henry is talking about her and their relationship in church meetings. Imogen asks if the relationship is really over. Faran thinks she might have outgrown Henry and that's what happens sometimes. Noa thinks it might be temporary and recommends she wait it out a little to see if they go back to the way they were. She continues to ramble and the girls give her a side-eye. Tabby agrees with Noa about Henry possibly being one of the good ones, even if he's in the church now. They each put a hand on Faran's.
She finally meets up with him. Henry talks about what Kelly told her regarding the Kairos sessions. He understands why she's upset. It was hard for her to come clean to him about what she's been going through. She feels that was her business, their business. He's sorry she found out that way. He was looking for guidance in a non-judgmental safe space. He wishes she would come to one of the youth group sessions so she could see what it's all about. There's one tonight and it's genuinely helpful. It quiets the noise and shines the light on what's really important.
Faran attends a meeting with Henry for the ceremony of Kairos. Malachi invites anyone who has a truth to step forward and tell it. Kelly stands and turns to Faran to admit her truth is that she was cruel to Faran over jealousy. She was jealous of Faran's talent. Thankfully, she was given a second chance after Faran found her when she was self harming and they became friends. Kelly loves Faran for it and they hold hands across the pews. Martha struggles to listen to Kelly's confession. Greg stands up next to admit his truth. He has been giving Faran shit all summer and making fun of her for being jacked, like that would make her less attractive, if that were even possible. Then he tried to make her feel weak, like she could never be as strong as the boys, him included. But that's not true. He looks at Faran and admits he respects her for not taking shit from anyone, including him, which is cool. Faran thanks him and shifts in her seat. Henry quickly stands to make a public apology to Faran over not being strong enough to be honest with his feelings. His truth is that he misses dancing the way they used to. That part of their relationship might be over, but he hopes they can be together in a new way. Kelly stands to offer Redemption House as a way for them to be together in a new way. Martha puts her hand on Faran's shoulder, which makes her visibly uncomfortable.
In the morning, Faran is putting her things away at the pool when Greg comes in. He brings up the Kairos sessions and she's impressed by the things he said last night as they were shockingly evolved. He jokes that he contains multitudes. She asks if all the meetings are like that. He's not sure because he's not part of the "inner-inner" circle. Faran grows concerned and asks if Henry is. Greg confirms that Henry, Kelly, and others have secret meetings where they "channel the Lord" and "invite him in." Greg just goes for the snacks.
Faran enters Our Mother of Holy Grace when she hears chanting and noises from upstairs. She slowly walks up and down a long hallway. She peers around a corner to see Pastor Malachi leading the youth group, complete with Kelly and Henry, in a physical prayer where they shake their hands to the sky and cry out while candles are lit around them. She gasps and everyone stops to look at her. She runs away in terror. Henry finds her on the front lawn as she wasn't meant to see that. She asks what the real face of Redemption House is. The meeting last night or what she just witnessed. He admits it's both things. She wonders if he's trying to get back together with her because he wants to be with her, or because he wants to indoctrinate her. He insists it's nothing like that. She doesn't know what she saw up there, but knows it isn't good. She asks if he will walk away from that place for her. He is serious and quiet for a moment. Faran realizes he can't leave and breaks up with him for good this time. She walks away and he watches her go.[15]
Faran and her friends tour Redemption House and comes across a room where two football players looking at dirty magazines. Fake flames are projected behind them. This angers Faran who realizes this is supposed to depict closeted gay kids who are going to hell for looking at pornography. She snaps that Henry, who is playing one of the boys, is a dancer so most of his friends are gay. She demands if Greg actually believes this homophobic bullshit. Both boys are silent as Faran tells both of them to get their heads examined.[16]
Relationships[]
Romances[]
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Faran Bryant - (Fenry) Henry and Faran met during ballet class at Millwood High. They were partnered together on more than one occasion. Faran developed feelings for him and invited him to Imogen's Halloween party, where they kissed for the first time. This began their relationship, with her confiding in him about her scoliosis pain. He told Madame Giry about her diagnosis after seeing how much pain she was in, which she ultimately understood his reasoning's for. She was forced to stop dancing and he supported her, though they still bumped heads about trust and support. They were together for over six months, though she lied to him about not having the all-clear to dance again. He struggled to overcome the lie and turned to Our Mother of Holy Grace for support. The church group was actually a cult, and when Faran found out the truth about what was going on behind those stained glass doors, she ended things with him for good.
Friendships[]
Kelly Beasley - Henry and Kelly are friends and former dance partners at Millwood High. They have known each other a long time, and Henry was protective over Kelly when her twin sister died. He did investigate Faran's theory about Kelly being Karen, and was disturbed at the idea of them switching places one last time. They had rehearsal together and she kissed him, something he told Faran about. She was upset and confronted Kelly, who claimed it was an accident. She and Henry's friendship seemingly stopped at that point, though they rekindled it between the fall of 2022 and summer of 2023. She texted him about joining her church youth project, and he eventually did join. He opened up to her and the rest of the church members during sharing sessions.
Appearances[]
|
Season 1 (9/10) |
Season 2 (6/8) |
Trivia[]
- Henry's bulletin for the production of Swan Lake reads:
- Henry Nelson is a 16-year-old sophomore starring as the principal role of Prince Singfried. This will be his second primary position in Madame Giry’s ballet. He started ballet in middle school and fell in love with the strength and precision of the art form. Henry’s premiere battle was The Nutcracker in 2015 and he’s been involved in multiple school and extra-curricular companies since.
- He dressed as Marty McFly from the Back to the Future movies for Halloween.
- According to the Pilot Draft, Henry was envisioned as Asian-American.[17]
Quotes[]
Gallery[]
[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 As seen on the "Meet the Cast" bulletin board for Swan Lake.
- ↑ "Chapter One: Spirit Week"
- ↑ "Chapter Two: The Spirit Queen"
- ↑ "Chapter Four: The (Fe)Male Gaze"
- ↑ "Chapter Five: The Night He Came Home"
- ↑ "Chapter Six: Scars"
- ↑ "Chapter Seven: Carnival of Souls"
- ↑ "Chapter Eight: Bad Blood"
- ↑ "Chapter Nine: Dead and Buried"
- ↑ "Chapter Ten: Final Girls"
- ↑ "Chapter Eleven: SpookySpaghetti.com"
- ↑ "Chapter Twelve: Summer Lovin"
- ↑ "Chapter Thirteen: Sweet Sixteen"
- ↑ "Chapter Fourteen: When A Stranger Calls Back"
- ↑ "Chapter Fifteen: Friday the 13th"
- ↑ "Chapter Sixteen: Hell House"
- ↑ Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin 1x01 - Spirit Week Draft