Anticipation is in the air as fans eagerly await the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, the popular Netflix sci-fi series. As the curtain prepares to fall on this highly acclaimed saga, Ross Duffer, co-creator of the show, has shed light on what audiences can anticipate from the concluding act of the narrative. In an interview with Variety, Duffer divulged that the upcoming season will prominently feature the character of Will Byers, portrayed by Noah Schnapp, who had somewhat receded into the background in the previous seasons.
“Will really takes center stage again in 5. This emotional arc for him is what we feel is going to hopefully tie the whole series together. Will is used to being the young one, the introverted one, the one that’s being protected. So part of his journey, it’s not just sexuality — it’s Will coming into his own as a young man.”
Given the pivotal role Will plays in the forthcoming season, the Duffer Brothers have entrusted Schnapp with an array of secrets about the show’s finale. A decision which, judging by Schnapp’s history, is not without risks. Regardless, they decided to gamble, with Matt Duffer cheekily cautioning Schnapp against “pulling a Tom Holland.”
“We sent him the first three scripts for Season 5. I texted him and said, ‘Just don’t be a Tom Holland here.’ He laughed about it and said, ‘Of course not.’ And then he immediately put something on TikTok about them. But you can never be mad at Noah. He’s a sweet kid. He can’t help himself.”
Stranger Things Season 5 Currently Suspended Due to Industry-Wide Strikes
This isn’t the inaugural time that the Duffer Brothers have underlined Will’s crucial role in the fifth season. “Will’s journey will be central to Season 5. We’re beginning to witness his maturation, which has been difficult for various reasons, including some supernatural ones. But you can see him starting to find himself,” stated Matt Duffer previously.
While the finer details of Stranger Things‘ final season remain shrouded in mystery, it has been verified that Jamie Campbell Bower will reprise his role as Vecna, a formidable entity from the Upside Down, intricately connected to the character of Eleven.
The return of the Stranger Things team, however, is slated to experience a delay due to industry-wide strikes. Production on the fifth season has been put on hold as a result. “The writing process doesn’t cease when filming begins,” announced the Duffer Brothers jointly, referring to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. “While we’re eager to initiate production with our fantastic cast and crew, it’s unfeasible during this strike. We hope for an equitable resolution soon so we can all resume work. Until then — over and out.”
When Stranger Things returns for its fifth season, the comprehensive ensemble cast will reprise their roles. This includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, Matthew Modine, and Paul Reiser. Recently, Linda Hamilton, famed for her role in The Terminator, has been cast in an undisclosed role for the season.
As a final hint to fans, it was disclosed that the opening episode of the last season will be titled “Chapter One: The Crawl.” As we inch closer to the finale, fans can only speculate how this fascinating story will wrap up, while basking in the anticipation of the revelations that the final act of Stranger Things is set to unfold.
