Stranger Things Season 5 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning Character

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Fans are eagerly awaiting the fifth season of the popular Netflix show, Stranger Things. Created by the Duffer Brothers, this sci-fi series has become one of Netflix’s biggest hits since it first premiered in 2016, and the new season will feature some new cast members alongside the show’s familiar faces.

The show Stranger Things is set in the 1980s in the made-up town of Hawkins, Indiana. It follows the lives of several kids, teens, and adults when a secret government lab accidentally opens a portal to another dimension, unleashing terrifying creatures. At the same time, a young girl named Eleven, who has powerful psychic abilities, escapes from the lab.

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things promises to wrap up the show’s biggest unanswered questions and give the main characters the endings they deserve. It will feature the returning survivors from season four, as well as introduce some new faces, including performances by well-known actors.

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven/Jane Hopper

Series Debut: Season 1

Eleven earned her name from the number given to her when she was a test subject at Hawkins Lab, where Dr. Brenner oversaw her experiments – she referred to him as “papa.” Her abilities developed because of these experiments, and she’s used them to close pathways to the Upside Down, fight creatures from that dimension, and communicate using her mind.

Eleven was adopted by Hopper, who renamed her Jane Hopper. Later, she moved with the Byers family to California, but they all eventually returned to Hawkins. We learned in season 4 that Eleven originally sent Henry Creel to the Upside Down, setting up a final showdown between them in season 5.

Millie Bobby Brown is known for a variety of roles. Before her breakout role in Stranger Things, she appeared in TV dramas like Intruders, as well as guest spots on shows such as Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and Grey’s Anatomy. Since Stranger Things, she’s starred as Madison in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, played the lead role in Enola Holmes and its sequel, and taken on the part of Michelle in The Electric State.

Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna

Series Debut: Season 4

Henry Creel was the original test subject at Hawkins Lab. Born with dangerous supernatural powers, he was the one Dr. Brenner attempted to recreate in other children. Eleven accidentally sent Creel to the Upside Down, and over time, he transformed into a monstrous being, losing his human form and mind.

Henry Creel transformed into Vecna, the powerful being controlling the Mind Flayer and all the monsters from the Upside Down. Though Nancy’s group hurt him badly in season 4 of Stranger Things, Vecna will return in season 5 seeking revenge.

Jamie Bower is known for his roles in several popular movies and TV shows. He started with a part in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and later appeared as Caius in the Twilight Saga. He also played the young Gellert Grindelwald in both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, as well as Jace Wayland in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

On television, Bower portrayed King Arthur in the historical drama Camelot and Christopher Marlowe in the historical fiction series Will.

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers

Series Debut: Season 1

In the first season of Stranger Things, Will Byers was kidnapped by a creature called the Demogorgon, kicking off the show’s main storyline. Though he was saved by his mother, Joyce, and Jim Hopper, Will remained connected to a dangerous entity called the Mind Flayer, which began to possess him in the second season.

As a huge fan, I was really intrigued by what season four hinted at with Will. Even though his family helped him break free from the Mind Flayer, it definitely felt like there was still something connecting him to that creature. It was great to see him return to Hawkins with his family at the end of the season – they’d moved to California after everything that happened in season three, so it was good to have him back where a lot of the original story unfolded.

Noah Schnapp began his acting career with a role in the 2015 film Bridge of Spies. He then lent his voice to the character of Charlie Brown in The Peanuts Movie and appeared as Tommy in Hubie Halloween.

Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler

Series Debut: Season 1

Let’s talk about Mike Wheeler. He’s really the heart of the group, Will’s best friend and the one who often takes charge. I remember in the first season, he was the one who bravely sheltered Eleven, and that sparked a really sweet relationship that blossomed into a full-blown romance by seasons three and four. We see him travel all the way to California in season four, getting right in the middle of all the craziness out there and playing a key role in rescuing Eleven from that terrifying Nina facility. He’s a consistently supportive and vital character.

Finn Wolfhard first gained recognition for his role in Stranger Things. He then starred as the young Richie Tozier in It and It Chapter Two, Trevor in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and provided the voice for Candlewick in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.

Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson

Series Debut: Season 1

Dustin is one of the main friends in the group, alongside Will, Mike, and Lucas. He formed close bonds with Steve and, later, Eddie. In season 3, Dustin’s girlfriend, Suzie, played a vital role in helping the group overcome the Russians. As the story continues into season 5, Dustin will be dealing with the emotional impact of witnessing Eddie’s death in the Upside Down.

Matarazzo is best known for his role in Stranger Things. He’s also hosted the show Prank Encounters and provided the voice for Sig Greebling in Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.

Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair

Series Debut: Season 1

Lucas is friends with Will, Mike, and Dustin. He began dating Max in the third season, and together with Dustin and Steve, he helped save her when Vecna first attacked. Later, when Vecna targeted Max again, Lucas was distracted by a fight with Jason Carver. Sadly, he witnessed Vecna severely injure Max, leaving her blind and in a coma.

Caleb McLaughlin is known for his work in several popular movies and TV shows. Before landing his breakout role in Stranger Things, he appeared in shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Shades of Blue. He’s also been in The Book of Clarence, The Deliverance, and Ultra City Smiths.

Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield

Series Debut: Season 2

Max joined the group in Hawkins when her family moved there during the second season. In the third season, her stepbrother, Billy, was taken over by the Mind Flayer and died while trying to fight it at the Starcourt Mall. This deeply affected Max, and in the fourth season, she became a target for Vecna, which resulted in her being left blind and in a coma.

Sadie Sink is known for her roles in several popular projects. Before becoming famous for Stranger Things, she played Suzanne Ballard in American Odyssey. Afterwards, she appeared as Ziggy Berman in the Fear Street films (Part Two: 1978 and Part Three: 1666) and as O’Dessa Galloway in O’Dessa. She’s also slated to be in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and starred in Taylor Swift’s short film, “All Too Well.”

Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler

Series Debut: Season 1

Nancy is Mike’s older sister and Jonathan’s girlfriend. She’s also friends with Robin and Steve, who she used to date. From the very beginning, Nancy has been fighting the creatures from the Upside Down, ever since her best friend, Barb, was taken and killed. In season four, she bravely led a group of teenagers into the Upside Down and even managed to shoot Vecna several times.

Before becoming famous for her role in Stranger Things, Maya Dyer appeared in Hannah Montana: The Movie as Clarissa Granger and played Davina in I Believe in Unicorns. Since then, she’s also been in notable films like Velvet Buzzsaw and Based on a True Story.

Joe Keery as Steve Harrington

Series Debut: Season 1

I absolutely love Steve’s journey! He started out as this typical popular guy, Nancy’s ex, but he’s really grown into someone special. He’s become super close with Robin and Dustin – honestly, he’s like an older brother to Dustin now. It’s been amazing to watch him mature since season one, and in season four, he was a total rockstar for the whole Hawkins crew. He’s just a fantastic character!

Joe Keery is best known for his role in Stranger Things, which launched his career. Since then, he’s appeared in several popular movies like Molly’s Game, Slice, Free Guy, and Cold Storage, as well as the TV shows No Activity and Fargo. In addition to acting, Keery also makes music under the name Djo.

Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers

Series Debut: Season 1

Credit: Netflix

Jonathan is Will’s older brother and Nancy’s boyfriend. He tirelessly searched for Will when he went missing in the first season, and has remained committed to stopping the dangerous events caused by Hawkins Lab. He shares a strong and loving bond with his brother.

Charlie Heaton is best known for his role in Stranger Things, which remains his most prominent project. Following that success, he appeared as Cannonball in The New Mutants and played Kurt in the TV show Soulmates.

Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley

Series Debut: Season 3

Robin is a friend to both Nancy and Steve, and she works with Steve at Scoops Ahoy during season 3. In season 4, she joins the core group of Hawkins teenagers – including Nancy, Steve, Eddie, and Dustin – and plays a crucial role in fighting Vecna, helping to make him weaker.

Maya Hawke is well-known for her role as Robin in Stranger Things, but she’s also appeared in several other popular projects. These include the 2017 TV adaptation of Little Women as Jo March, as Flower Child in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Heather in Fear Street Part One: 1994, Eleanor in Do Revenge, June in Asteroid City, and Anxiety in Inside Out 2. She’s also slated to play Wiress in the upcoming film The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair

Series Debut: Season 2

Erica is Lucas’s little sister. She first appeared in season 2 as someone Lucas often annoyed, but she became a key part of the adventure in season 3 as a member of the Scoops Troop. During the events at Creel House in season 3, Erica stayed behind with Lucas and Max while others ventured into the Upside Down to support the team.

The actor first gained recognition for their role in Stranger Things. Since then, they’ve become known for voicing Bailey in Hamster & Gretel and playing Lisa in My Dad the Bounty Hunter.

Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers

Series Debut: Season 1

Joyce is the mother of Jonathan and Will. In the first season, she discovered Will was still alive, trapped in another dimension, and ingeniously communicated with him using Christmas lights. She bravely entered the Upside Down with Hopper to rescue Will and played a crucial role in freeing him from the Mind Flayer’s control in the second season.

Throughout the third season, Joyce followed Hopper into the Russian base and helplessly watched him seemingly sacrifice himself to close the gate to the Upside Down. In the fourth season, she teamed up with Murray and journeyed back to Russia, this time to rescue Hopper. Returning to Hawkins, she was relieved to be reunited with her children and Eleven, but quickly found herself facing a new, terrifying threat as the Upside Down began to overwhelm their town, alongside her friends.

Winona Ryder became a prominent actress in the 1980s and 90s, starring in popular films like Beetlejuice, Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Reality Bites, Little Women, Girl, Interrupted, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. More recently, she’s known for her television work, including Stranger Things, as well as The Plot Against America and Show Me a Hero.

David Harbour as Jim Hopper

Series Debut: Season 1

Jim Hopper was the police chief of Hawkins. While he first thought Will’s disappearance was a simple case, he eventually discovered the secrets of Hawkins Lab and much more. He legally adopted Eleven at the end of season 2, but in season 3, he was kidnapped by Russians and everyone believed he had died.

Hopper, with crucial assistance from Dmitri, Joyce, and Murray, managed to break out of the Russian prison. They eliminated the Demogorgons being held there and made it back to Hawkins, where Hopper was joyfully reunited with Eleven.

David Harbour is well-known for his television work, especially his role in Stranger Things. He’s also played memorable characters like Elliot Hirsch in The Newsroom, David Patrick in State of Affairs, and Eric Frankenstein in Creature Commandos.

Joel Harbour has appeared in several popular films, playing characters like Gregg Beam in Quantum of Solace, John Morris in Black Mass, Santa Claus in Violent Night, and Red Guardian in Black Widow, Thunderbolts and Avengers: Doomsday.

Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman

Series Debut: Season 2

Murray Bauman is an investigative journalist who worked for the Chicago Sun-Times. He was hired by Barb’s family to look into her disappearance, which led him to uncover the secrets of Hawkins Lab with the help of Nancy and Jonathan. In season 3, he teamed up with Joyce and Hopper to investigate a Russian base, and later, in season 4, he accompanied Joyce to Russia to save Hopper.

Gelman is known for their work on several popular movies and TV shows. Besides Stranger Things, their notable television credits include Eagleheart, The Inbetweeners, Go On, Married, Another Period, Fleabag, Mr. Mercedes, and Inside Job. Their biggest film roles have been in The Disaster Artist, Metal Lords, and Boy Kills World.

Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler

Series Debut: Season 1

Holly Wheeler is Mike and Nancy’s little sister. She’s been in the show since the beginning, but hasn’t been directly involved in the main events until now. In season one, she was very young when she witnessed the Demogorgon breaking into Will’s room. Most recently, she was seen looking out the window with her mom as strange spores fell from the sky, hinting at something coming from the Upside Down.

Alyssa Fisher gained recognition in 2023 for her role as Kassie in Evil Dead Rise. Her most prominent television work so far has been on Stranger Things.

Stranger Things Season 5’s Supporting Cast & Characters

Cara Buono plays Karen Wheeler, the mother of Mike, Nancy, and Holly. She’s known for her roles in films like Gladiator, Hulk, and Paper Towns, and television shows including Third Watch, The Sopranos, The Dead Zone, Mad Men, Person of Interest, and Supergirl.

I’m so excited to see Linda Hamilton join the cast! She’s taking over as the lead scientist in Hawkins, basically stepping into Dr. Brenner’s shoes. As Sarah Connor in Terminator, she’s a total sci-fi icon, and she’s been amazing in everything else she’s done – from Chuck to The Line and even Resident Alien. She’s going to bring so much to this role, I just know it!

Amybeth McNulty plays Vicky Dunne, the object of Robin’s affection. McNulty is best known for her role as Anne Shirley-Cuthbert in the series Anne with an E.

Joe Chrest plays Ted Wheeler, the father of Mike, Nancy, and Holly, and the husband of Karen. He’s appeared in several popular projects, including the films Erin Brockovich, The Blind Side, 21 Jump Street, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, Lisa Frankenstein, and Fly Me To The Moon. He’s also been on TV shows like True Detective, Sun Records, and Looking for Alaska.

Sherman Augustus played Lt. Colonel Sullivan, who was central to the search for Eleven in the fourth season of the show. Before this role, Augustus appeared in several TV series including Chicago Hope, Profit, The Young and the Restless, and American Odyssey. Interestingly, he also had a career as a professional football player in the NFL.

Jake Connelly plays Derek Turnbow, a disrespectful and pampered classmate of Holly’s. His role in Stranger Things is currently his most significant acting job.

I’ve always been impressed by Alex Breaux’s work, and his portrayal of Lt. Robert Akers – one of the villains working for Dr. Kay – really stood out. He’s been in some fantastic projects, including the powerful miniseries When They See Us, as well as See, Waco: The Aftermath, Joe Pickett, and American Primeval. It’s clear he brings a lot of depth to every role he plays.

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2025-11-21 17:57