What Happened to One Key Stranger Things Character We’ve Not Seen in 4 Years Finally Explained

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The show Stranger Things featured a large and growing cast of characters, which many fans loved. While this was a strength, creating fun and memorable interactions, it also meant some characters didn’t get enough screen time. As the show headed towards its conclusion in Season 5 and the final battle with Vecna, characters like Suzie Bingham, who had been memorable in previous seasons, were left out.

Gaten Matarazzo, known for his role in Stranger Things, has offered his take on what happened to Dustin’s girlfriend. In an interview with Business Insider, Matarazzo admitted he didn’t talk to the show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, about it, but he has a personal theory. He believes Dustin likely ended the long-distance relationship while dealing with his grief, explaining that if Dustin was distancing himself from close friends, a long-distance girlfriend would probably be cut off too. While he hopes Dustin handled it kindly, he suspects Dustin wasn’t in a very considerate state of mind at the time.

Matarazzo suggested she might have simply had enough of his behavior. Perhaps she decided she didn’t want to deal with it anymore, which would be perfectly understandable. He imagines she likely ended the relationship because she didn’t have time for it.

Suzie’s Absence In Stranger Things Season 5 Highlights How Much Dustin Has Changed

When Stranger Things Season 5 begins, Dustin is very different from the cheerful kid viewers first met. Still deeply affected by Eddie’s death, he’s struggling emotionally and pulls away from his friends. He even deliberately provokes bullies, seemingly wanting to be hurt. It’s often heartbreaking to watch, especially as it becomes clear Dustin is acting out of fear of losing the people he cares about – his emotional scene with Steve is a standout moment. Gaten Matarazzo is right to point out that if Dustin was already isolating himself in Hawkins, it’s understandable he wouldn’t have the energy or desire for a long-distance relationship.

The show’s writers made a clear statement about Dustin and Suzie’s relationship by not mentioning her at all in Season 5. This subtly confirmed their breakup and paved the way for Dustin’s personal growth. It doesn’t really matter how they broke up; Dustin’s actions clearly show the relationship didn’t end well, and viewers can easily understand that. In fact, it would have felt unnatural if Dustin were still with Suzie while also distancing himself from his friends. The way the story unfolds allows Dustin to reconnect with the people he cares about, and that emotional impact relies on him starting the season single. He needed to be on his own for his journey to feel authentic and satisfying.

Honestly, while I love Suzie, I just don’t see how they could realistically fit her into the final season. She lives way out in Salt Lake City, and everything’s happening back in Hawkins, the Upside Down, and inside Vecna’s head. It made sense when some of the group was in California last season, since that’s closer to Utah. With so much already going on in Season 5, forcing Suzie into the story would have felt awkward. It would’ve been great to see her again – that NeverEnding Story scene was iconic! – but ultimately, the finale didn’t really need her in it.

Now that Stranger Things has ended, fans are hoping for a clear explanation about why Suzie wasn’t around much. The story is continuing with new projects, including the animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, which will feature familiar characters. While it’s unlikely we’ll see Suzie in a live-action role again, the animated series might offer some answers. However, not every question needs to be answered – sometimes it’s good to leave things open to interpretation.

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2026-01-08 22:10