Advertisement

'Stranger Things' 4 cast: Who's who in the Netflix sci-fi series

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022
The second volume of Stranger Things S4 hits Netflix soon. (Netflix)

The second volume of the fourth season of Strangers Things is heading our way, offering a conclusion to the new and thrilling mystery plaguing the residents of Hawkins, Indiana.

Set in the spring of 1986, the ensemble cast are scattered for the first time, following the devastating events of season three.

Read more: What happened in Stranger Things Season 3?

As ever, the action focuses on the investigations of a group of childhood friends, as well as the adults who have assisted them in fighting the horrors of the supernatural dimension The Upside Down, as well as the US and Russian attempts to manipulate it.

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Eduardo Franco as Argyle, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix  © 2022
Here's who's starring in Stranger Things series four. (Netflix)

Volume one of the series is already streaming and has seen Eleven struggling with bullying and the loss of her super powers at her new school in California, Nancy and Jonathan failing to make their long-distance relationship work, and Mike and Will missing each other.

That's before we even get onto the arrival of new monster Vecna, who has been horrifically murdering Hawkins students - although many of the residents mistakenly think the killer is Eddie Munson, leader of dungeons and dragons group The Hellfire Club.

Read more: Stranger Things child cast growing up takes show into horror territory

Eleven was recaptured by Papa where she was reintroduced to her memories from the lab, including discovering that the fabled One did actually exist and was lab assistant Henry, who murdered the other numbered children and became Vecna after Eleven fought back against him.

Jamie Campbell Bower is the terrifying Henry/Vecna. (Netflix)
Jamie Campbell Bower is the terrifying Henry/Vecna. (Netflix)

Henry/Vecna's father Victor is in prison for his son's first murders of his mother and sister, which he framed Victor for, and the family's derelict house is the scene of much of the season four horror.

Max has discovered listening to Kate Bush songs seems to be a magic charm in warding off Vecna, Lucas is torn between his old friends (including ex Max) and his newfound popularity with the basketball team who are hunting The Hellfire Club for the murders, and Steve and Nancy look set to get back together if Jonathan doesn't arrive back in town soon.

Joseph Quinn plays Eddie Munson, leader of The Hellfire Club. (Netflix)
Joseph Quinn plays Eddie Munson, leader of The Hellfire Club. (Netflix)

Meanwhile, Joyce and Murray have been trying to break Hopper out of a Siberian prison, and as we await volume two's debut they are still attempting escape as the younger cast all head back to Hawkins for an Upside Down battle reunion.

If you’re catching up with the show or just want to know what the fuss is about, here’s our guide to the ensemble in the hit Netflix show.

Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard)

The Stranger Things cast
Finn Wolfhard (centre) is Mike Wheeler. (Netflix)

The leader of the central group of friends, Mike was the one who discovered Eleven, and The Upside Down. He has been separated from his beloved Eleven after the events of season three, reconciling after a rough patch for the young couple.

Eleven/Jane Hopper (Millie Bobby Brown)

Millie Bobby Brown is Eleven. (Netflix)
Millie Bobby Brown is Eleven. (Netflix)

A gifted young woman with telekinetic abilities, Eleven fled a secret Hawkins facility where she was being tested on in season one, only to be found by the group of friends led by Mike, and be taken in by chief of police Jim Hopper, who became her father.

Read more: 10 things you might not know about Stranger Things

El had the biggest development over season three, striking out from the protective Jim to become a normal adolescent, and falling out with boyfriend Mike. The climax saw her seemingly lose Jim, be separated from Mike, and lose her powers following an attack from an Upside Down monster known as a Mind Flayer.

Will Byers (Noah Schnapp)

Noah Schnapp is Will Byers. (Netflix)
Noah Schnapp is Will Byers. (Netflix)

Mike’s meek best friend, Will has struggled to move on from being lost in The Upside Down in season one.

Season three saw him decide to move on from his childhood hobbies as his friends developed relationships, and is having a new start moving to a new town in season four with mother Joyce, brother Jonathan, and Eleven.

Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, and Max Mayfield (Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Sadie Sink)

Lucas, Dustin and Max all return. (Netflix)
Lucas, Dustin and Max all return. (Netflix)

The rest of the friendship group have largely been in supporting roles, but all have had their moments.

Dustin is the plucky, nerdy comic relief who has a strong bond with his mother and in season three is revealed to have a girlfriend from science camp.

Read more: Stranger Things star says new season will be 'most bizarre yet'

Lucas is the more sceptical and cautious member of the group, who falls for Max only for the pair to eventually split when Mike and Eleven do. Season 4 sees him further drift from his remaining friends as he seeks popularity.

Max is a newer addition to the group, arriving in season two and becoming a firm favourite thanks to her tough demeanour that shielded a troubled home life. She became close with Eleven and taught her to be independent away from the influence of Mike and Jim, but tragically lost her half-brother Billy in the climax of season three.

Jim Hopper (David Harbour)

David Harbour is Jim Hopper. (Netflix)
David Harbour is Jim Hopper. (Netflix)

The grumpy but well-meaning Chief of Police in Hawkins, who ended the season on a cliff-hanger, seemingly sacrificing himself to close a gateway to The Upside Down. However, in a teaser for season four, he was shown to still be alive and imprisoned in Russia.

Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder)

Winona Ryder is Joyce Byers. (Netflix)
Winona Ryder is Joyce Byers. (Netflix)

The single mother of Will and Jonathan has been through a lot in three seasons: trying to get Will back from The Upside Down, losing her boyfriend Bob (Sean Astin) as he saved her from a Demogorgon, and losing new love Jim Hopper in season three.

She has moved herself and her boys (plus Eleven/Jane) to California for a new start. Something tells us that’s not going to work out!

Steve Harrington (Joe Keery)

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington and Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022
(L to R) Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington and Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson. (Netflix)

A fan favourite, Steve started the show as an unlikable jock but has developed into a well-meaning and supportive ally to the young friends.

Season three saw him work at an ice cream parlour following high school, helping the kids in their mission to discover a secret Russian lab, and become close to co-worker Robin.

Read more: The secret Netflix codes that unlock thousands of hidden movies and TV shows

Charming and heroic, he’s been nicknamed “Mom Steve” by fans for his protection of the best friends, and his bond with Dustin.

Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer)

Natalie Dyer as Nancy Wheeler. (Netflix)
Natalie Dyer as Nancy Wheeler. (Netflix)

A privileged but compassionate former high schooler, Nancy is drawn into the mysteries of The Upside Down following the disappearance of her friend Barbara in season one.

Her grief causes her to split from school boyfriend Steve and team up with loner Jonathan Byers to expose the goings on in a secret lab in Hawkins.

By season three, she and Jonathan were together and pushing against sexism at their jobs at the Hawkins Post newspaper in order to uncover more corruption.

Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton)

Charlie Heaton is Jonathan Byers. (Netflix)
Charlie Heaton is Jonathan Byers. (Netflix)

The shy, endearing son of Joyce, and Will’s big brother. He falls for popular classmate Nancy Wheeler and the couple remain together post-high school.

He helps her uncover mysteries connected to The Upside Down, but following season three’s fallout, moves to California and the pair are separated.

Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke)

Maya Hawke is Robin Buckley. (Netflix)
Maya Hawke is Robin Buckley. (Netflix)

The latest addition to the cast, Robin was Steve’s co-worker at the ice cream parlour, as well as a former classmate.

Read more: The true story behind Clark, the Swedish Netflix series

Initially giving him a hard time, she helps Steve uncover the Russian conspiracy within the mall in which they work. She and Steve are captured by Russian scientists and work together to escape, becoming close friends in the process and moving to a new job at a video store.

Robin also comes out to Steve, making her the first openly gay character in the show.

New additions to the Stranger Things cast

Robert Englund guest stars. (Netflix)
Robert Englund guest stars. (Netflix)

Coming to season four are a number of recognisable names, playing roles that are certain to shake things up in Hawkins.

Jamie Campbell Bower (Sweeney Todd) plays an orderly at the Pennhurst Psychiatric Hospital, while Joseph Quinn (Howards End) plays Eddie Munson, who runs the Hawkins High School Dungeons and Dragons Club, and is teased to be at the centre of season four’s mystery.

Over in California, Eduardo Franco (Booksmart) plays Argyle, Jonathan’s new best friend and a philosophical stoner.

Excitingly, fans will be treated to an appearance from horror legend Robert Englund (the Nightmare on Elm Street series), who plays a patient at the psychiatric hospital who has been imprisoned for the murder of his family in the 1950s, possibly connected to supernatural events.

Stranger Things 4 premieres 1 July with Episodes 408 and 409, only on Netflix.

Watch: Stranger Things star promises 'more intense, brutal' return