What Every Stranger Things Star Has Done Since Filming Season 5

After almost ten years, Stranger Things is concluding with its fifth and final season. While fans are eager to see how the story ends – and have been for a while – the final episodes will be released in three parts. Beyond the plot speculation and theories about what will happen, viewers have really fallen in love with the show’s cast. Now that filming wrapped in December 2024, many fans are shifting their focus from the storyline to what each actor will do next, keeping a close watch on their future projects.

This show has given many of the actors a chance to move beyond the roles they’re known for, while others are using it to build even stronger careers. Some immediately started new acting projects – in movies, TV shows, and on stage – while others focused on building their personal brands or starting their own businesses. Here’s a look at what the stars of Stranger Things have been up to since finishing the final season.

1) Millie Bobby Brown

Despite being so young when she started on Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown quickly became incredibly busy. In addition to playing Eleven, she’s already published a novel called Nineteen Steps in 2023, starred in and helped produce the Enola Holmes films (with a third on the way), and appeared in Damsel and the Russo Brothers’ The Electric State. She’s become a major star for Netflix, and impressively, she often produces the projects she’s in as well.

Since finishing the last season of her show, Millie Bobby Brown has been growing her makeup brand, Florence by Mills. She also got married to Jake Bongiovi, son of Jon Bon Jovi, and they recently adopted a daughter. Currently, she’s set to star as Cassie in the new TV series Prism. While the show is still being developed, it’s a Netflix project with support from the Russo Brothers.

2) Noah Schnapp

Noah Schnapp has taken an interesting turn in his career, which is a welcome change given the huge popularity of the show he’s known for. Although he hasn’t left acting entirely – he was in the 2023 film The Tutor – he’s focused on becoming an entrepreneur. He launched a sustainable snack company called To Be Honest, started a crowdfunding campaign to raise $1.2 million, and even opened a restaurant that only offers delivery.

Finn Wolfhard, also known as Schnapp, is currently balancing his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he’s majoring in business, with his work. Since finishing filming the show, he hasn’t announced any new acting roles. It appears he’s focusing on long-term stability rather than immediate stardom after Stranger Things.

3) Finn Wolfhard

Finn Wolfhard is working hard to be known for more than just his role on Stranger Things. While he became famous playing Mike, he’s also seriously pursued music, releasing an album called Happy Birthday and becoming a member of the band The Aubreys. He hasn’t stopped acting, appearing in films like IT, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Frozen Empire, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, and even Saturday Night. Plus, he’s taking on personal projects and starting to direct, like the film Hell of a Summer, showing he wants to have more say in his creative work.

The actor has talked openly about what fans want to see happen in the final season of Stranger Things. Since finishing filming, he hasn’t taken on any significant acting roles, aside from a voice appearance on King of the Hill. He’s been focusing on his music, and he’s also set to co-direct the upcoming remake of Idle Hands with Billy Bryk.

4) Gaten Matarazzo

Gaten Matarazzo finished the series much like he began it – a talented and adaptable actor who consistently delivers strong performances without needing a lot of attention. He’s focused on carefully chosen projects and a consistent presence in theater, demonstrating he’s a dedicated performer rather than just a fleeting celebrity. While fans enjoyed seeing him in side projects like hosting Prank Encounters and providing voice work for Angry Birds 2 and Animal Farm, he was most engaged with musical theater, appearing in productions of Dear Evan Hansen and Sweeney Todd.

After finishing work on Stranger Things, Noah Matarazzo didn’t immediately take on a lot of new roles. He prefers to explore different interests at his own speed, without feeling pressured to stay famous. He also dedicates a lot of time to his nonprofit, CCD Smiles, which he started to help people with Cleidocranial Dysplasia—a condition he has himself and that was even featured in his character on the show—cover the costs of dental care.

5) Sadie Sink

Sadie Sink seems most prepared among the Stranger Things cast to take on serious, dramatic acting roles. Although she joined the show in its third season, she quickly became a popular favorite. Throughout the series, she also built an impressive film career, delivering memorable performances in the Fear Street trilogy and the highly praised The Whale, where her acting received significant acclaim. She also appeared in Taylor Swift’s All Too Well: The Short Film and, like Gaten Matarazzo, has experience in Broadway musicals. It’s clear she’s carefully building a career as an adult actor, and Stranger Things was simply a starting point, not the culmination of her talent.

Following her work on the show, she appeared in the film O’Dessa and the musical John Proctor Is the Villain. Now, she’s gaining attention again with a role in the highly anticipated 2026 film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. While details about her character are still under wraps, fans are buzzing with guesses and theories.

6) Caleb McLaughlin

Caleb McLaughlin, known for his role as Lucas in Stranger Things, has been steadily building a strong acting career. He’s appeared in films like High Flying Bird, Concrete Cowboy, and Shooting Stars, a biographical drama about LeBron James, as well as the horror film The Deliverance. Alongside Stranger Things, he’s also done voice work for animated series such as Final Space and Summer Camp Island. Beyond acting, Caleb is a passionate advocate for social justice, frequently speaking out against racism and discrimination in both the entertainment world and among fans.

Lately, Noah McLaughlin has been gaining attention beyond his acting work, particularly in the fashion industry. He’s now a global face for Dior Beauty, representing their La Collection Privée fragrances, and has been seen at major events like the 2025 Met Gala and Paris Fashion Week since finishing work on Stranger Things. He’s also set to star in the animated comedy Goat, which is scheduled for release in 2026.

7) Natalia Dyer

Natalia Dyer, known for playing Nancy in Stranger Things, has focused on independent films and projects since the show’s success. Unlike some of her castmates, she hasn’t appeared in any big mainstream hits, and maintains a relatively private life. She’s built a career starring in smaller, artistic films like Velvet Buzzsaw, Yes, God, Yes, Chestnut, and All Fun and Games, and recently appeared in the dark comedy thriller Based on a True Story. By consistently choosing interesting and thoughtful roles, she’s remained a well-respected actress without needing to pursue large-scale blockbusters.

After finishing Season 5 of Stranger Things, Sadie Sink hadn’t announced any new acting jobs. She’s still dating her co-star Charlie Heaton, a relationship that started during the show. Sink generally prefers to keep her personal life private and focuses on roles in smaller, more intimate projects instead of large-scale productions.

8) Joe Keery

Joe Keery has become a major star thanks to his role in Stranger Things. His character, Steve, quickly became a fan favorite, and Keery has successfully balanced acting with a growing music career. While the show was running, he appeared in several other projects, including the films Marmalade, Spree, and Free Guy, where he consistently stood out. He also showcased his versatility in the Death to 2020 and Death to 2021 specials (created by the makers of Black Mirror) and took on a more serious role in Finally Dawn.

Since finishing Stranger Things, Joe Keery has been dedicating more time to his music as Djo. He’s released albums, toured, and gained a growing fanbase, even going viral on TikTok. However, he’s still pursuing acting roles, and is set to appear in the sci-fi horror film Cold Storage with Liam Neeson. It’s clear Keery is successfully building a career in both music and film.

9) Charlie Heaton

Like Finn Wolfhard, Charlie Heaton didn’t get as much attention as some of the other actors on Stranger Things. He’s focused on smaller, independent films, suggesting he prefers serious, artistic projects over big commercial ones – and that really suits his thoughtful acting style. While playing Jonathan Byers, he’s also appeared in films like Marrowbone, The New Mutants, and The Souvenir Part II, proving he excels in more mature dramas. Interestingly, despite not being a breakout star from the show, he actually has a lot of new films and series coming out soon.

Following the conclusion of Stranger Things, Charlie Heaton gained attention for his role in Billy Knight, where he acted alongside Al Pacino. The film debuted at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and, while it doesn’t have a wide release date yet, it’s already receiving positive reviews. He’s also lined up several other projects, including the romantic comedy Twice Over, a role in the fourth season of Industry, and a leading part in a new, currently unnamed Netflix series with Josh Hartnett.

10) Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke has brilliantly used her role in Stranger Things as a springboard for a thriving career. After captivating viewers as Robin in Season 3, she quickly took on diverse projects. While still on Stranger Things, she appeared in TV shows like The Good Lord Bird and voiced a character in the Marvel series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. In film, she moved from a small part in Fear Street Part One: 1994 to memorable roles in Mainstream, Do Revenge, and Maestro. More recently, she gained widespread praise for voicing Anxiety in Inside Out 2. Alongside acting, Hawke is also building a successful music career, having already released three albums.

Maya Hawke is successfully juggling a blossoming music career with increasing success in acting. Fresh off her work on Stranger Things, she’s landed a role in the highly anticipated prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, and is also set to star in the 2026 romantic comedy Wishful Thinking. This combination of projects clearly demonstrates that she’s just starting to reach her full potential.

11) Jamie Campbell Bower

Jamie Campbell Bower stands out from the Stranger Things cast as someone who already had a substantial career before the show. He needed time to recover after portraying the intense villain, One/Vecna, but he’s known for roles in popular franchises like Twilight and Harry Potter. He’s also appeared in films like Sweeney Todd and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and the TV series Camelot. Beyond acting, Bower is a musician – he was the lead singer of the band COUNTERFEIT for years and now continues his musical journey as a solo artist, gaining a dedicated following.

I’ve been noticing that Jamie Bower is really throwing himself into a wide range of projects lately – from westerns like Horizon: An American Saga to horror with the Witchboard remake and even the Emmanuelle reboot. Now that Stranger Things is officially done, he’s understandably been busy getting the word out about the final season. But he’s not slowing down creatively! He has True Haunting coming out soon, and it’s exciting to hear he’ll also be in season 3 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – though they’re keeping his character under wraps for now.

12) Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder is one of the biggest stars in the show, and she’s a well-known actress to many. While a new generation discovered her through Stranger Things, she became famous much earlier, starting her career in the late 1980s and truly becoming a star in the 1990s. Before Stranger Things, Ryder starred in iconic films like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Age of Innocence, Alien Resurrection, Star Trek, and Black Swan. She’s also received numerous award nominations, winning in several categories, solidifying her status as a true movie icon.

Millie Bobby Brown quickly became a fan favorite on Stranger Things, particularly with younger audiences, starting with the first season, and delivered many iconic moments. Now that the show has ended, she doesn’t have any other announced roles, except for her upcoming return as Lydia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

13) David Harbour

David Harbour has been honest about feeling a sense of relief now that Stranger Things has concluded, which really highlights how much playing Hopper affected him over the years. While the show made him a household name, Harbour had a solid career beforehand, with roles in films like Brokeback Mountain, Quantum of Solace, Hellboy, and Violent Night, as well as extensive theater work. His popularity exploded further when he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Red Guardian in Black Widow, and he’s also lent his voice to popular animated series like Creature Commandos and What If…?. Harbour consistently chooses challenging and diverse roles, demonstrating a willingness to take risks in his career.

After finishing filming, David Harbour hinted at what fans could expect in the final season of Stranger Things, and he’s been working consistently since then. He’s appeared in Thunderbolts and provided voice work for Marvel Zombies, and he has several new films on the way, including the animated Goat, Violent Night 2, Behemoth!, Evil Genius, and the eagerly awaited Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

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2025-11-21 00:50