What to Expect from ‘Stranger Things’ Final Season 5
The Economic Times
Breaking down the fifth and final installment of the Upside Down saga — from new and returning cast members to the chaos Vecna might unleash on the Hawkins crew in the hit Netflix series.
[This story contains major spoilers for all four seasons of Stranger Things.]
After seven years, “Stranger Things” is gearing up for its farewell. On November 6, Netflix’s annual Stranger Things Day, what better way to commemorate this significant date in the Upside Down universe than by summarizing what we know about the final season? (November 6, 1983, is the day Will Byers went missing in Hawkins, Indiana.)
When this sci-fi series debuted on Netflix in July 2016, it quickly became a cultural sensation. The stars, many of whom were in their first major roles and were just preteens, were a big draw for many, alongside Winona Ryder.
Since then, “Stranger Things” has shattered numerous Netflix records. Season four set a Nielsen record for the most-watched show ever at that time, amassing over 7 billion minutes of viewing in a single week. It also became the most-streamed series of the year.
When creators Matt and Ross Duffer announced that the fifth season would be the last, fans felt a mix of sadness and inevitability. The once-child stars are now in their late teens and early 20s.
“Seven years ago, we mapped out the complete story arc for ‘Stranger Things,'” the Duffer brothers wrote in an open letter to fans in February 2022, mentioning that the series was concluding. “We initially estimated the story would span four to five seasons. It proved too large for four but — as you’ll see — we are now speeding toward our finale.”
Season four, released in two parts, unveiled that every villain faced by the Hawkins crew stemmed from one main antagonist: Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower), also known as “001” and “Vecna.”
The final season was initially slated to start production last summer, but the writers and actors’ strikes caused delays. The Duffer brothers halted the writers’ room on May 6, at the onset of the WGA strike. When the strike ended, they announced they were resuming work.
On January 8, 2024, months after this story was first published, Netflix announced that production of the final season had officially begun. By July 2024, production had reached the halfway mark.
Below, CAN Times details everything known about the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” — from new and returning cast members to the chaos Vecna might bring in the last chapter. This story was originally published on November 6, 2023, and will be updated as more information is revealed.
When Will ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Be Released?
Before the strikes, “Stranger Things” season five was expected to premiere in early 2025, according to star Finn Wolfhard. In a GQ video, Wolfhard mentioned he would be 22 when season five finally aired. This lined up with the Duffer brothers’ 2022 comments about the gap between seasons four and five being shorter than the one between seasons three and four, which was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Filming was originally set for this summer, but the writers’ strike in May led the Duffer brothers to announce on social media that, although the preliminary scripts were done, “Writing does not stop when filming begins.” They added, “While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it’s not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then — over and out.”
Two months later, the actors’ strike further delayed the start of production. Once the actors’ strike ended (the WGA has since reached a deal), the busy schedules of the young cast and the elaborate visual effects likely pushed the premiere to late 2025 or early 2026.
On January 8, Netflix announced that production had officially started and shared a photo of the returning cast with the Duffer brothers. By July 15, Netflix revealed that production was halfway done, marking the milestone with a behind-the-scenes video of the cast and some final season sets.
Millie Bobby Brown previously stated that filming is expected to wrap around Christmas, with the season expected to premiere sometime in 2025.
“It’s really crazy,” Wolfhard said in a March 2024 interview with THR. “You try to be as present as possible, but at the same time, you’re aware this is the last one. It’s about balancing staying present while knowing it’s the end. But it’s been great.”
Who in the Cast Is Returning?
Most of the main cast emerged from season four unscathed, so it’s safe to assume that Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Noah Schnapp (Will), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Priah Ferguson (Erica), Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan), Maya Hawke (Robin), Joe Keery (Steve), David Harbour (Hopper), Winona Ryder (Joyce), and Brett Gelman (Murray) will return for the final installment.
One main character with an uncertain fate is Sadie Sink’s Max. At the end of season four, Max is in a coma after her heart stopped for a full minute due to Vecna’s curse. While Max is technically alive (she has a pulse), her future remains uncertain.
However, the picture shared by Netflix for the production restart confirms that Sink will be part of the final season. In what capacity remains to be seen. She is pictured with all the returning cast members mentioned above, as well as Cara Buono, Amybeth McNulty, Jamie Campbell Bower, and new cast member Linda Hamilton.
Joseph Quinn’s beloved Eddie Munson, who died at the end of season four after helping defeat Vecna, will not return in the same capacity. However, in the Duffers’ world, nothing is off the table. Eddie’s death will have “huge repercussions” for those who survived season four, and a supernatural cameo or flashback isn’t out of the question.
Jamie Campbell Bower (Henry, 001, and Vecna) will be a significant presence in the final season. Although the group managed to briefly overpower the Big Bad in season four, he survived and retreated. Bower told THR he believes his character is “rebuilding” rather than “suffering.” He hinted, “Let me put it this way: I know about season five. Take from that what you will.”
Which Actors Are Joining the Cast for Season 5?
Details about the final season’s plot are scarce. One confirmed addition to the Hawkins crew is 1980s icon Linda Hamilton. Information about her role remains under wraps.
In an August 2022 interview with IndieWire, the Duffer brothers mentioned their reluctance to introduce new characters. “Whenever we introduce a new character, we want to ensure they’re integral to the narrative,” Ross Duffer said. “But every time we do that, we’re nervous because we have a great cast and any moment spent with a new character takes time away from the others.”
In July, Netflix announced three new faces for season five: Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, and Alex Breaux.
What Do We Know About the Plot of Season 5?
At the end of season four, the Hawkins crew reunites and seemingly overpowers Vecna from different corners and dimensions. They think they’ve won, but Vecna survives and retreats. In the final moments, it’s revealed that Vecna’s curse succeeded, despite Max being technically alive. Hawkins splits into four pieces as the villain’s final chapter begins.
The Duffer brothers have shared some insights since the season four finale. Will is a “big part and focus” of the final season, they told Collider. “We’re starting to see his coming of age,” Matt Duffer said. “This has been challenging for several reasons, some supernatural. But he’s coming into his own.” Ross Duffer added that season five will likely bring fans full circle to season one, when Will was trapped in the Upside Down, and potentially explore Steve and Nancy’s unresolved relationship issues.
Season five will almost certainly feature a time jump, given the actors’ ages. “I’m sure we will do a time jump,” Ross Duffer told TV Line in June 2022. “Ideally, we’d have shot seasons four and five back to back, but that wasn’t feasible. So these are discussions we’ll have with our writers when we start the room up.”
Vecna will return, though his role is still unclear. When THR asked Jamie Campbell Bower about Vecna’s endgame, he hinted at a comeback. Whether the Hawkins kids can defeat him remains uncertain. “There’s always an opportunity for the good guys to win,” he said. “They’ll have to be smarter because Henry doesn’t forget or let things slide.”
In December 2023, “Stranger Things” will debut on London’s West End with “The First Shadow,” a stage play set in 1959 Hawkins when Hopper, Bob Newby, and Joyce are in high school. “When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds a fresh start isn’t easy … and the shadows of the past have a long reach,” the play’s description reads. “This new adventure takes you back to the beginning of the ‘Stranger Things’ story — and may hold the key to the end.” It’s likely something
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I am Praveen Kumar, a 21-year-old passionate about writing and staying informed. On CNA Times, I bring the latest news and updates, offering readers accurate and insightful information with my expertise and dedication.
