Duffer Brothers Discuss ‘Stranger Things’ Season 1 Vecna Theory

The creators of Stranger Things are addressing a popular fan theory about the show’s villain that’s been circulating since Season 4 aired.

Since the beginning of the Netflix show in 2016, fans have suspected that Vecna – who is also known as Henry Creel and One – was secretly involved in a particular scene from the first season. The reveal that Vecna was the mastermind behind everything sparked this curiosity about his hidden presence.

Now, thanks to a new interview with the Duffer brothers, we finally have an answer.

Is Vecna in Season 1 of Stranger Things?

For a long time, viewers have speculated about a hidden appearance of Vecna in the first season of Stranger Things. The scene in question, often discussed by fans, occurs near the beginning of the first episode, just before Will Byers disappears while riding his bike home from Mike Wheeler’s house.

I was totally on the edge of my seat when Will was biking home – that foggy street just felt ominous! Then, out of nowhere, this creepy figure appears and scares him right off his bike. It’s a classic horror setup! He crashes into the woods and tries to run, but the creature follows him home. What happens next is terrifying – a quick chase, and then boom, Will gets yanked into the Upside Down. It’s such a shocking moment, and really sets the whole story in motion.

Fans speculated that the mysterious figure Will saw in the first episode might actually be Vecna, not the Demogorgon. However, the Duffer Brothers have confirmed this isn’t true. In an interview with Digital Spy UK, they clarified that the figure was, in fact, the Demogorgon all along.

Ross Duffer recently explained that the shadowy figure Will sees while biking isn’t Vecna, despite what some fans believe. He confirmed it was actually the Demogorgon, and that the scene wasn’t altered after the fact.

During the first season, the evil force in the Upside Down wasn’t Vecna yet. We hadn’t created that character at that point, but we knew there was a conscious, intelligent evil at play.

Matt Duffer clarified that despite what some viewers suspect, they haven’t changed any earlier episodes after they aired. He joked that while it would have been neat to do that, they’re definitely not altering the show like George Lucas did with Star Wars. He encouraged fans who think they’ve spotted changes to double-check the Blu-ray versions, suggesting any perceived differences are likely just a misunderstanding.

There’s also another interesting fan theory about Vecna and his possible role in Season 1. Remember when Will was running from the Demogorgon and got home? Something unlocked his front door seemingly using psychic abilities, and fans think it might have been Vecna.

There’s always been a mystery surrounding a creepy event, but it looks like Season 5 will finally explain it. Vecna’s powers, especially his telekinesis, now make sense when you realize he’s been targeting Will from the beginning.

Ross pointed out that the creatures, Demogorgons, don’t communicate through thoughts. He mentioned this is something viewers have already picked up on, referencing the puzzle box that opens with mental power.

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will be released in three parts. The first four episodes will be available starting November 26th, followed by three more on December 25th, and the series will conclude with the final episode on New Year’s Eve.

Stranger Things Cast: Then and Now

Millie Bobby Brown: Then (2016)

Millie Bobby Brown was just 12 years old when Stranger Things first came out in 2016. Before that, the British actress started her career with small roles in TV shows like Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, NCIS, Modern Family, and Grey’s Anatomy. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Eleven, and in 2017, she received an Emmy nomination for her performance.

Millie Bobby Brown: Now (2025)

Millie Bobby Brown, currently 21 years old (as of November 2025), is married to Jake Bongiovi, the son of Jon Bon Jovi, and they have an adopted daughter. She became famous for her role in Stranger Things and has since appeared in films like Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Enola Holmes, Damsel, and The Electric State. A third Enola Holmes movie is scheduled to be released in 2016. In addition to acting, Brown also owns a beauty company called Florence by Mills.

Finn Wolfhard: Then (2016)

Finn Wolfhard was only 13 when he started playing Mike Wheeler. Before landing the role in Stranger Things in 2016, he’d already begun his acting career with a music video in 2012 and small parts in the TV shows The 100 and Supernatural.

Finn Wolfhard: Now (2025)

Following the success of Stranger Things, Finn Wolfhard appeared in the horror films It and It Chapter Two (released in 2019). More recently, he’s starred in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and Saturday Night. He also wrote, directed, produced, and acted in the 2023 horror comedy Hell of a Summer. Beyond acting, Wolfhard is a musician, playing in the band The Aubreys and as a solo artist. His first solo album, Happy Birthday, is scheduled to be released in June 2025.

Gaten Matarazzo: Then (2016)

I still remember when Stranger Things first came out – Gaten Matarazzo, who plays the awesome Dustin, was only 14! But he wasn’t new to performing at all. Before that, he was actually on Broadway, in shows like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Misérables. And even before Stranger Things, he had a small role on The Blacklist back in 2015 – a really cool start to his career.

Gaten Matarazzo: Now (2025)

Since first appearing on that Netflix show, I’ve been following Gaten Matarazzo – now 23 – and he’s been super busy! He’s done a bunch of voice work in animated stuff, popped up in music videos for artists like Katy Perry and Green Day, and even had roles in movies like the 2022 film Honor Society. Plus, he’s gotten back on stage, appearing in Broadway shows like Dear Evan Hansen and Sweeney Todd, which is awesome to see.

Caleb McLaughlin: Then (2016)

Caleb McLaughlin is best known for his role as Lucas Sinclair in the hit show Stranger Things. He was just 14 years old when the series first came out in 2016. Before that, he appeared in guest roles on popular TV dramas like Law & Order: SVU, Shades of Blue, and Unforgettable. He started his acting career with a starring role as young Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King.

Caleb McLaughlin: Now (2025)

I’ve been following Caleb McLaughlin’s career since his early work, and it’s been amazing to watch him grow! He really broke through with his role as Lucas, earning both a BET YoungStars Award nomination and a SAG Award back in 2017. Then, in 2020, he made his big-screen debut in Concrete Cowboy with Idris Elba – a fantastic film! Since then, he’s been consistently working, appearing in movies like The Book of Clarence and The Deliverance. Plus, he’s a talented voice actor and even releases his own music – I especially loved his 2022 single, “Soul Travel.” He’s definitely one to watch!

Noah Schnapp: Then (2016)

Noah Schnapp was just 11 years old when the first season of Stranger Things came out. Before becoming famous as Will Byers on the Netflix show, he started his acting career by voicing Charlie Brown in the 2015 film The Peanuts Movie. That same year, he also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s movie, Bridge of Spies.

Noah Schnapp: Now (2025)

Since first appearing on Stranger Things, 21-year-old Noah Schnapp has been in several films, including the independent projects Abe and Waiting for Anya. He also had a role in the 2020 Adam Sandler comedy Hubie Halloween, and has made brief appearances in music videos by Panic! at the Disco and Drake.

Natalia Dyer: Then (2016)

I was so surprised to learn that Natalia Dyer, who plays Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things, has been acting for a while! Even though she was only 21 when the show came out in 2016, her very first role was way back in 2009 – she was in Hannah Montana: The Movie! Before Stranger Things, she built up experience with smaller parts and some cool indie films like Don’t Let Me Go, After Darkness, and I Believe in Unicorns.

Natalia Dyer: Now (2025)

I recently caught up with some of Natalia Dyer’s work, and she’s really proving her range. Most notably, she led the cast in the charming and funny coming-of-age film Yes, God, Yes back in 2019. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. She’s been consistently delivering solid performances in films like Velvet Buzzsaw, Things Heard & Seen, and All Fun and Games. Even before that, in 2018, she showed up in James Bay’s music video for “Wild Love,” demonstrating she’s comfortable in different mediums. At just 30 years old, she’s definitely an actress to watch.

Joe Keery: Then (2016)

Joe Keery first gained widespread recognition at age 24 for his role as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things. Before that, he appeared in commercials for companies like KFC, Amiibo, and Domino’s. He also had minor roles on TV shows including Empire and Chicago Fire, and started his film career with the independent movie Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party.

Joe Keery: Now (2025)

Now 33, Joe Keery has been in several films since the start of Stranger Things, including Spree, Molly’s Game, and Free Guy. He also played a major role in Season 5 of the TV show Fargo. Beyond acting, Keery makes music as Djo, and his 2022 song “End of the Beginning” recently became very popular on TikTok in 2024.

Charlie Heaton: Then (2016)

Charlie Heaton, the British actor known for playing Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things, was 22 years old when the show first came out. Before becoming famous on Netflix, he had experience as a musician and acted in several TV dramas, including DCI Banks and Casualty.

Charlie Heaton: Now (2025)

After gaining recognition with Stranger Things, Charlie Heaton acted in the 2016 thriller Shut In with Naomi Watts, and the coming-of-age film As You Are. Both of these projects were filmed before Stranger Things was released. Since then, Heaton, now 31 years old, has appeared in films including The New Mutants, The Souvenir Part II, Marrowbone, and No Future.

Winona Ryder: Then (2016)

Winona Ryder was 44 years old when Stranger Things debuted. She first became famous in the 1980s for playing unique characters in popular movies like Beetlejuice and Heathers. Her career continued to grow in the 1990s with roles in films including Mermaids, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Girl, Interrupted, Edward Scissorhands, Little Women, and The Crucible. After a break from acting in the early 2000s, she returned to the screen in movies such as Star Trek and Black Swan.

Winona Ryder: Now (2025)

Since appearing in the hit show Stranger Things, Winona Ryder has been in several films, including the romantic comedy Destination Wedding with Keanu Reeves, Gone in the Night, Haunted Mansion, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the follow-up to Tim Burton’s classic 1988 film. In 2020, she starred in the highly praised HBO drama The Plot Against America. As of November 2025, she is 54 years old.

David Harbour: Then (2016)

David Harbour, best known for his role as Jim Hopper in Stranger Things, was 41 years old when the show premiered on Netflix. Before achieving widespread recognition, Harbour built his career through theater, even performing on Broadway. He first appeared on television in 1999 with a small part on Law & Order, and went on to guest star in several other popular shows including Law & Order: SVU, Pan Am, Elementary, The Newsroom, and Manhattan. He also had roles in films like Quantum of Solace, State of Play, Revolutionary Road, Brokeback Mountain, End of Watch, and The Green Hornet before landing his breakthrough role on Stranger Things.

David Harbour: Now (2025)

David Harbour is celebrating 50 years in acting. He first became well-known for his role as Hopper, and since then has been in many films, including Suicide Squad, Hellboy, Violent Night, Gran Turismo, and We Have a Ghost. He’s also part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Red Guardian, appearing in Black Widow and Thunderbolts.

2025-11-22 00:00