By Paul Salfen AMFM Magazine
High above the cobblestone streets of Grubbers Nubbin sits a castle laboratory where the maddest of mad professors stitches together creatures that are… almost alive. And then forgets about them. Who keeps the chaos in check? Enter Stitch Head, the professor’s very first creation—a pint-sized, patchwork hero who’s been running the show unnoticed and unthanked. That is, until a traveling freak show rolls into town and its cunning ringmaster, Fulbert Freakfinder, dangles the promise of fame, fortune, and maybe even love.
This whimsical, heartfelt twist on the Frankenstein legend is the animated comedy adventure STITCH HEAD, and lending his voice to the titular monster is none other than Asa Butterfield (Sex Education, Ender’s Game). AMFM’s Paul Salfen caught up with the actor to talk pandemic-era recording booths, rapping in a squeaky monster voice, and why it’s okay to embrace your inner freak.
From Live-Action Prodigy to Voice-Acting Newbie
Paul Salfen: Asa, Stitch Head is such a blast—kids of all ages are going to love it. You must’ve had a riot making it.
Asa Butterfield: It was a crazy few years. We recorded over the pandemic, which was its own wild ride. Being let loose in a tiny booth while the world was shut down felt surreal. I’ve wanted to do more voice acting, and when I read the script I thought, This is the kind of story kids will eat up—but it also sneaks in layers for grown-ups. That balance is gold.
PS: You’ve got generations of kids looking up to you. Does that come with a sense of responsibility when picking roles?
AB: Not responsibility, exactly. I choose projects for me—what challenges me, where I want my craft to grow. I hadn’t done much voice work before, so this was uncharted territory. A new muscle to flex.
The Rap That Almost Broke Him
One standout moment? A full-on rap sequence that had Butterfield second-guessing his life choices.
AB: They sent me the track to practice, but I hadn’t tried it in Stitch Head’s voice yet. I get in the booth and realize I’ve got to rap—charismatically—in this soft, stretchy, squeaky register. I’m thinking, What the hell am I doing? But that’s the job. You commit.
Advice for the Next Generation
With young fans dreaming of following in his footsteps, Butterfield keeps it simple:
AB: Find people who uplift you for you—like-minded creators who want to perform, who make you feel safe to fail and explore. Get it wrong, get it right, have fun. That’s where the magic happens.
The Heart Beneath the Stitches
At its core, Stitch Head is a love letter to the weird and the forgotten.
AB: The message is: Everyone’s weird. You’re loved because of it. You don’t need to chase validation—it’s right in front of you. Embrace your monstrousness, your individuality.
PS: Couldn’t have said it better. Happy Halloween, Asa—and thanks for giving us a monster we can all root for.
AB: Cheers, Paul. Thank you.
STITCH HEAD is now playing. Bring the whole family—and maybe a spare bolt or two.
Follow Asa Butterfield on socials for behind-the-scenes monster madness
