Stranger Things cast for season 5: Full list of characters and actors

Get ready for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things! Here’s a rundown of the key characters – both familiar faces and new ones – you’ll meet as the story returns to Hawkins.

Get the tissues ready and prepare to hear Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” on repeat! The final showdown between the heroes and the villain Vecna (played by Jamie Campbell Bower) is almost here in the last season of this exciting Netflix sci-fi series.

Even with many memorable guest stars throughout the series (we’re still thinking about Bob!), the creators, the Duffer Brothers, have said they plan to primarily finish the stories of the original characters instead of adding a lot of new ones.

Matt Duffer told Indiewire they’re trying to avoid introducing new characters in season 5. They want to keep the focus on the original characters instead.

With the final season of Stranger Things almost here, let’s quickly recap the key characters and what happened in the dramatic events of season 4.

Full Stranger Things season 5 cast

The following cast members are in Stranger Things 5.

David Harbour as Jim Hopper
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven / Jane Hopper
Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler
Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair
Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman
Jamie Campbell Bower as Henry Creel / One / Vecna
Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler
Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow
Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay
Sherman Augustus as Lt Colonel Sullivan
Alex Breaux as Lt Robert Akers
Sherman Augustus as Lt Colonel Sullivan
Amybeth McNulty as Vickie
Joe Chrest as Ted Wheeler
Clayton Royal Johnson as Andy
Hunter Romanillos as Chance
Randy Havens as Scott Clarke

Stranger Things season 5 cast: Who are the new characters?

Linda Hamilton plays Dr Kay

Dr. Kay is a brilliant but frightening government agent in charge of the military occupation of Hawkins. She’s now leading the scientific research that Dr. Martin Brenner was doing before his death, and is actively searching for Eleven.

Linda Hamilton is well-known for her roles in both television and film, and is now joining the popular Netflix sci-fi series. Many will recognize her as Sarah Connor from the Terminator movies. She also played a CIA agent and the mother of the main characters on the NBC comedy Chuck, and appeared in the 1987 TV show Beauty and the Beast.

Jake Connelly plays Derek Turnbow

Derek Turnbow is a classmate of Holly Wheeler and a bit of a bully. He’s a spoiled kid whose family owns a lot of property in Hawkins. Keep an eye out for him in the third episode, “The Turnbow Trap,” as he’s expected to play a big role!

I was curious about Jake Connelly, the new kid in Hawkins, and wanted to know what else he’d been up to. Turns out, this is actually his first big part! Before this, he did appear in a short film called ‘Between the Silence,’ directed by Juan C Linares.

Alex Breaux plays Lt Robert Akers

Lt. Robert Akers appears to be a military officer, but he mainly works for Dr. Kay (Hamilton) as an assistant. He helps her in the lab and participates in the search for Eleven (Brown).

Besides his work in Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway – where he played a young Dr. Brenner – Alex Breaux has also appeared in the shows American Primeval and See.

Stranger Things season 5 cast: Who are the returning characters?

Noah Schnapp plays Will Byers

Will Byers is the quietest member of his friend group. He’s first captured in the alternate dimension known as the Upside Down during the first season, and later becomes possessed by the Mind Flayer in the second. While his connection to the Upside Down wasn’t a major focus in seasons 3 and 4, it seems it will be crucial in season 5, as Vecna specifically states, “William, you are going to help me one last time.”

While Noah Schnapp is best known for Stranger Things, he’s also appeared in other projects. These include the films Bridge of Spies, Waiting for Anya, and Hubie Halloween, as well as having a smaller part in Adam Sandler’s Hubie Halloween.

Millie Bobby Brown plays Eleven/Jane Hopper

Eleven is a girl with powerful telekinetic abilities who unexpectedly appeared in Hawkins at the start of the series. She quickly becomes the key to fighting the monsters from the Upside Down. Over the first three seasons, she’s raised by Hopper and develops a relationship with Mike, but she loses her powers at the end of season three. Later, it’s revealed she has a connection to Henry Creel (Vecna) and unknowingly helped create him. Now, she’s preparing for a final battle with Vecna after the opening of the Rifts in season four.

I first really noticed Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things, it was the role that made her famous! But I recently found out she’d already been in the BBC series Intruders, which is cool. Since then, she’s become a huge star, playing Madison Russell in those MonsterVerse movies, and she’s amazing as Enola Holmes! I’m also excited to check out her other Netflix films, Damsel and The Electric State – she seems to be in everything these days!

Winona Ryder plays Joyce Byers

Joyce Byers is the mother of Will and Jonathan. She’s a kind and determined woman who works in retail and has lived in Hawkins her whole life. She’s been deeply impacted by the town’s unusual events, including Will’s disappearance and the loss of her boyfriend, Bob. Joyce is also incredibly resourceful, even traveling to Russia with Murray to rescue Hopper after he was presumed dead. After moving to California, she and her family eventually return to Hawkins for the final showdown.

Winona Ryder first gained recognition in the late 1980s with popular films like Beetlejuice and Heathers. She then became a major Hollywood star in the 1990s, appearing in many successful movies including Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Age of Innocence, Little Women, The Crucible, Alien: Resurrection, and Girl, Interrupted. More recently, she’s been in films like Star Trek and Black Swan, and had a leading role in the 2020 TV series, The Plot Against America.

David Harbour plays Jim Hopper

Jim Hopper is the police chief of Hawkins, Indiana, and has lived there most of his life. He went to school with Joyce Byers and is a recovering alcoholic. After saving Will Byers from the Demogorgon, Hopper develops a strong father-daughter relationship with Eleven and takes her in. Though he appeared to die in an explosion at the end of the last season, Joyce and Murray rescued him from a Russian prison. In season 4, he’s back in Hawkins, helping Eleven prepare for a battle with Vecna.

While David Harbour is famous for playing Hopper, he’s appeared in several other popular projects. He’s gained fans in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Red Guardian in Black Widow and Thunderbolts. He also starred in the 2019 Hellboy reboot and played Santa Claus in the action-comedy Violent Night.

Finn Wolfhard plays Mike Wheeler

Mike Wheeler is a smart but sarcastic teenager who’s best friends with Lucas, Dustin, and Will. He’s typically the one who leads their Dungeons & Dragons games, though that changes when they join the Hellfire Club. He falls for Eleven when she comes to town, and they begin a complicated relationship. As the group splits up in season 4, Mike steps up as a leader again, taking charge of the mission to defeat Vecna in season 5, as actor Finn Wolfhard has noted.

Before becoming famous for Stranger Things, Finn Wolfhard had a few small parts on TV. Since then, he’s starred in popular movies like It, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.

Gaten Matarazzo plays Dustin Henderson

Let’s talk about Dustin Henderson. He’s one of the core group, and honestly, he’s the science guy we all need. This kid loves monsters and knows everything about Dungeons & Dragons. What’s really fun to watch is his unexpected connection with Steve – those two are comedy gold. Then in season four, he really bonds with Eddie Munson, and their dynamic is fantastic. It’s heartbreaking, though, because Eddie’s sacrifice clearly hits Dustin hard, and you can see he’s still dealing with that loss as they head into the fight against Vecna in the upcoming season.

Gaten Matarazzo first became known as a child actor on Broadway, appearing in productions like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Misérables. However, he gained widespread recognition for his role as Dustin in Stranger Things. Beyond that, he’s starred in the movie Honor Society and has lent his voice to several animated projects, including My Father’s Dragon, Animal Farm, and Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.

Caleb McLaughlin plays Lucas Sinclair

Okay, so Lucas Sinclair is one of the core group of friends – you know, Mike, Will, and Dustin’s buddy. When Eleven first shows up, he’s pretty cautious about her, but he quickly realizes she’s trustworthy. Honestly, the guy is a total whiz with a slingshot – it actually comes in super handy in Season 3! He and Max have been kinda on-again, off-again since Season 2, which is tough because she gets seriously hurt by Vecna in Season 4 and is still in a coma. But before all that, Season 4 also showed a different side of him – he became a star basketball player and even scored the winning points for the Hawkins Tigers! He’s a really well-rounded character, honestly.

Besides Stranger Things, Caleb McLaughlin is known for a few other roles. Before becoming famous as Lucas, he played Young Simba on Broadway in The Lion King. He’s also appeared in the films High Flying Bird and Concrete Cowboy.

Sadie Sink plays Max Mayfield

Max Mayfield is a skater girl who moves to Hawkins with her brother at the start of season 2. She quickly becomes friends with Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin, and eventually starts dating Lucas. She also forms a strong bond with Eleven. After her stepbrother Billy dies – having been controlled by the Mind Flayer – Max becomes a target for Vecna and is seriously injured. As of the latest updates, she’s hospitalized in a coma, with Lucas at her side.

Beyond Stranger Things, Sadie Sink has appeared in several other notable projects. In 2021, she played Ziggy Berman in the Fear Street trilogy on Netflix and had a role in Taylor Swift’s short film, “All Too Well.” She’s also performed on Broadway in productions of Annie and The Audience, and has starred in the films Dear Zoe, The Whale, and O’Dessa. Next year, she’s scheduled to make her West End debut in a new production of Romeo and Juliet.

Natalia Dyer plays Nancy Wheeler

Nancy Wheeler is Mike’s older sister and a resourceful character throughout the series. She began dating Steve, but later developed feelings for Jonathan. Driven and ambitious, she pursues a career in journalism, interning with Jonathan at the Hawkins Post where they uncover important information about the Mind Flayer. In season 4, Nancy bravely confronts Vecna in the Upside Down, fighting alongside Steve, Robin, and Eddie.

Besides Stranger Things, Natalia Dyer has appeared in several other projects. Her film credits include Hannah Montana: The Movie, Velvet Buzzsaw, Yes, God, Yes, Things Heard & Seen, and the horror movie, All Fun and Games.

Charlie Heaton plays Jonathan Byers

Jonathan Byers is Will’s older brother and something of a loner. He eventually starts dating Nancy, and they both work as interns at the Hawkins Post newspaper. After the events of season 3, he moves away with his family, but returns to help rescue Eleven from a dangerous situation in season 4. When Hawkins is threatened by the Upside Down, Jonathan rejoins his friends to fight Vecna in a final showdown.

While Charlie Heaton is best known for his role in Stranger Things, he’s also acted in several films, including Marrowbone, The New Mutants, and The Souvenir Part 2. He even shared the screen with Al Pacino in Billy Knight, and appeared in an episode of the series Soulmates.

Joe Keery plays Steve Harrington

Let’s talk about Steve Harrington, a character who’s really come into his own over the seasons. Initially, he was the typical popular guy – Nancy’s boyfriend, a little bit of a jerk, honestly. But from season two onward, Steve underwent a fantastic transformation. He genuinely connected with Dustin, becoming a sort of big brother figure to all the kids, and really stepped up as a protector during those Demogorgon battles. Season three saw him working at Scoops Ahoy, where he developed a crush on Robin, which led to a sweet and honest moment where she came out. And in season four, he was right there with Nancy and Robin, taking on Vecna and a swarm of demobats! Now, heading into season five, it’s clear he’s a rock for Dustin as he deals with loss, and I’m excited to see where his journey goes. He’s become a true fan favorite, and for good reason!

Before becoming famous for Stranger Things, Joe Keery didn’t have many acting credits. Since then, he’s appeared in several films, including Molly’s Game, Spree, and Free Guy. He’s also been in the Netflix comedy specials Death to 2020 and Death to 2021, and played a role in season 5 of the popular TV show Fargo.

Maya Hawke plays Robin Buckley

Robin Buckley joined the Stranger Things crew in season 3 as Steve’s coworker at Scoops Ahoy. Though she doesn’t love her job, her skills prove valuable when she and Steve, Dustin, and Erica crack a Russian radio message and locate a hidden base. We learn she’s been playing music in a band for twelve years and is a lesbian, a revelation that comes out after being affected by truth serum. In season 4, she joined forces with Nancy and Steve to fight Vecna, and they managed to seriously wound him.

Maya Hawke, daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, first gained recognition as Jo March in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women. She’s since appeared in several acclaimed films, including Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino, Asteroid City directed by Wes Anderson, and Maestro by Bradley Cooper. She also provides the voice for the character Anxiety in the Disney and Pixar sequel, Inside Out 2.

Brett Gelman plays Murray Bauman

Murray Bauman is a private detective who believes in conspiracy theories. He becomes a key ally to the group, first helping Nancy and Jonathan investigate Hawkins National Laboratory in season 2. Later, he assists Joyce and Hopper in infiltrating a secret base under the Starcourt Mall in season 3. In season 4, Murray joins Joyce on a dangerous mission to rescue Hopper from a Russian prison, and he’s expected to play a vital role in the final battle against the Upside Down.

Besides his well-known role as Martin in Fleabag, Brett Gelman has appeared in several other shows like Eagleheart, Go On, and Twin Peaks. He’s also been in movies including The Other Guys, The Disaster Artist, Without Remorse, and Boy Kills World.

Priah Ferguson plays Erica Sinclair

Erica Sinclair is Lucas’s quick-witted younger sister and a surprisingly important member of the group. She was instrumental in helping Dustin, Steve, and Robin sneak into the Russian base under the Starcourt Mall in season 3, and later assisted in rescuing Steve, Robin, Nancy, and Eddie from the Upside Down. She even briefly joined the Hellfire Club, playing a character named Lady Applejack – a level 14 half-elf rogue with a chaotic good alignment – during their last meeting.

Priah Ferguson is known for her roles in several TV shows and movies. She’s appeared in the TV series The Curse of Bridge Hollow, and has also been in episodes of Atlanta and Mercy Street. Her film work includes Perfectville, The Oath, and The Curse of Bridge Hollow.

Cara Buono plays Karen Wheeler

Karen Wheeler is Nancy and Mike’s mom. She’s a caring parent, but often doesn’t realize what her kids are doing. She sometimes seems unhappy with her everyday life, and even considers having an affair with Billy in season 3. In season 5, she’ll have to fight off a Demogorgon that breaks into her house, with her daughter Holly by her side.

Besides Stranger Things, Cara Buono has starred in several popular and highly-regarded projects. She’s known for her roles as Dr. Faye Miller on Mad Men and Kelli Moltisanti on The Sopranos, and she’s also appeared in films like Hulk, Let Me In, and Monsters and Men.

Nell Fisher plays Holly Wheeler

Holly Wheeler is the youngest member of the Wheeler family and has been involved in the Stranger Things story since the very beginning, even seeing the first signs of the Upside Down in her home. Though she hasn’t been a central character yet, that’s expected to change in season five. She’ll be dealing with an imaginary friend – which many believe is connected to the main villain – and will share a frightening underwater encounter with her mother, Karen, facing off against a Demogorgon.

Nell Fisher is best known for her role as Kassie, the youngest sister, in Evil Dead Rise, the fifth film in the popular Evil Dead horror series. She has also appeared in the movies Bookworm and Choose Love.

Jamie Campbell Bower plays Vecna

Vecna, the main villain introduced in season 4, is secretly controlling events in both the Upside Down and the town of Hawkins. He’s been killing children and creating tears between dimensions. We learn he’s actually Henry Creel, also known as 001 – the very first child with telekinetic powers experimented on by Dr. Brenner. Eleven banished him to the Upside Down, and now he’s determined to destroy her and combine the two worlds, which would create a frightening new reality.

Jamie Campbell Bower is known for his roles in popular film series like Twilight, Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, and The Mortal Instruments.

Stranger Things season 5 premieres on Netflix UK on Thursday 27th November.

2025-11-26 14:41