It has been over three years since Stranger Things season 4 left fans reeling with its dramatic finale. In the time since 2022, the cast members of Stranger Things went on to pursue a wide range of creative projects before reuniting for the long-awaited season 5.
From Millie Bobby Brown’s evolution into a proud parent and producer to Finn Wolfhard’s directorial ventures and Sadie Sink’s acclaimed film roles, the ensemble has remained at the forefront of pop culture. As Stranger Things season 5 premieres the first four episodes on Netflix on 26 November 2025, here’s a look at how the cast members have evolved off-screen with new projects since we last left Hawkins.
Movies, shows, and other projects that kept the Stranger Things cast members busy between seasons 4 and 5
Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven/Jane Hopper)
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Following season 4, lead cast member Millie Bobby Brown expanded her creative reach across movies, publishing and production, while preparing to return as Eleven for Stranger Things season 5.
Brown reprised her role as the witty young detective in Enola Holmes 2 (2022), directed by Harry Bradbeer, alongside Henry Cavill and Louis Partridge. In March 2024, she headlined the American dark fantasy film Damsel, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Not just that, she also served as executive producer for the movie. In early 2025, she starred in Anthony and Joe Russo’s science fiction action-adventure The Electric State, opposite Chris Pratt. In September 2025, she began filming Just Picture It, a Netflix romantic comedy co-starring Gabriel LaBelle and Amrit Kaur.
Aside from acting, Brown published her debut novel, Nineteen Steps, in September 2023, inspired by her grandmother’s wartime experiences. The book was ghostwritten by author Kathleen McGurl.
On the domestic front, Brown married actor Jake Bongiovi in May 2024, and the couple adopted a baby girl in the summer of 2025.
Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler)
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Stranger Things cast member Finn Wolfhard expanded his creative horizons beyond his role as Mike Wheeler, exploring the worlds of music and filmmaking alongside acting in a range of projects between seasons 4 and 5.
In 2023, he appeared in the Jesse Eisenberg-directed film, When You Finish Saving the World, opposite Julianne Moore. The same year, he co-directed and starred in the horror-comedy Hell of a Summer alongside Billy Bryk.
In 2024, the Canadian actor appeared in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, directed by Gil Kenan. The following year, he joined the ensemble voice cast of The Legend of Ochi, directed by Isaiah Saxon, alongside actors such as Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson and Helena Zengel.
Outside of acting, Wolfhard is a part of the indie rock band The Aubreys. Some of their recent releases include “Kato” (2023) and “Running” (2023). On 6 June 2025, Wolfhard released his debut solo album, Happy Birthday.
Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield)
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Sadie Sink’s intense portrayal of Max Mayfield earned her global recognition. Following season 4, she delivered a powerful performance opposite Brendan Fraser in The Whale (2022), directed by Darren Aronofsky, earning widespread critical acclaim. In 2024, she starred in A Sacrifice, directed by Jordan Scott, alongside Eric Bana and Sylvia Hoeks.
In 2025, she starred in the post-apocalyptic musical drama film O’Dessa, written and directed by Geremy Jasper, alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr., Murray Bartlett and Regina Hall. The movie premiered at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in March 2025 and allowed Sink to showcase her versatility. That same month, she made headlines when she was cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), in an undisclosed role. She will reprise this role in 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars as well.
Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson)
Cast member Gaten Matarazzo continued balancing stage and screen work following season 4, while preparing to return for Stranger Things season 5.
In 2022, he starred in Honor Society, a coming-of-age comedy film directed by Oran Zegman, alongside Angourie Rice and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Later that year, he voiced Boris in Netflix’s animated feature My Father’s Dragon (2022), directed by Nora Twomey. In 2023, he returned to the stage in the Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, directed by Thomas Kail and co-starring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. He played the role of Tobias Ragg.
In 2025, Matarazzo voiced Lucky in Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm. The animated movie is an adaptation of George Orwell’s novel of the same name, and stars Seth Rogen, Woody Harrelson, Steve Buscemi, Glenn Close and Kieran Culkin.
Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair)
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From playing the pragmatic Lucas Sinclair to more grounded and mature roles, Caleb McLaughlin’s evolution between Stranger Things seasons 4 and 5 reflected a quiet determination to redefine his image.
In 2023, he appeared in films, The Book of Clarence and Shooting Stars. In 2024, he starred in The Deliverance, a Netflix horror-drama directed by Lee Daniels, alongside Glenn Close, Mo’Nique and Andra Day. In 2025, he voiced a lead character in Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi, an audio thriller produced by Audible and directed by Nyasha Hatendi. He will also lend his voice to Goat (2026), an upcoming animated sports comedy movie directed by Tyree Dillihay.
Noah Schnapp (Will Byers)
Noah Schnapp starred in The Tutor (2023), a psychological thriller directed by Jordan Ross, opposite Garrett Hedlund and Jonny Weston. The same year, he also expanded his entrepreneurial footprint with TenderFix, a delivery-only virtual restaurant brand developed with IHOP. Additionally, his snack company, To Be Honest (TBH), continued its expansion into major retailers across the United States.
Schnapp publicly came out as gay in January 2023. After season 4, he diversified his career through film and business while continuing his advocacy for LGBTQ+ representation.
Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler)
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In 2023, Dyer appeared in All Fun and Games, a supernatural horror film directed by Ari Costa and Eren Celeboglu, alongside Asa Butterfield. The same year, she also starred in Chestnut, a romantic drama directed by Jac Cron, opposite Rachel Keller and Danny Ramirez. The movie’s emotional realism and understated tone highlighted her shift towards more grounded, character-driven roles.
Additionally, Dyer returned to the small screen with the American dark comedy Based on a True Story in June 2023.
Joe Keery (Steve Harrington)
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Following season 4, Joe Keery carved out a distinctive post-Stranger Things identity as both an actor and musician.
In 2023, he starred in Finally Dawn, an Italian-English drama directed by Saverio Costanzo, co-starring Lily James and Willem Dafoe. He then appeared in season 5 of the black comedy crime series Fargo (2014-2024). In 2024, he also featured in Marmalade, a crime-romance film directed by Keir O’Donnell, alongside Camila Morrone and Aldis Hodge. In 2026, he will be seen in the comedy horror movie Cold Storage, directed by Jonny Campbell, opposite Liam Neeson.
Beyond acting, Keery continues to perform under his musical alias Djo and released the single “End of Beginning” in 2024. His third album, The Crux, was released in April 2025.
Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers)
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Following season 4, Winona Ryder maintained a selective presence across movies and television. In 2023, she appeared in a small role in Haunted Mansion, a horror comedy directed by Justin Simien, where she played a tour guide. In 2024, she reprised her role as Lydia Deetz in the Beetlejuice (1988) sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton and co-starring Jenna Ortega.
David Harbour (Jim Hopper)
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From Hawkins’ resilient sheriff to one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, cast member David Harbour’s career trajectory between seasons 4 and 5 of Stranger Things has been defined by bold projects.
He starred in Violent Night (2022), an action-comedy directed by Tommy Wirkola. He played a Santa Claus who fights mercenaries. In 2023, he appeared in We Have a Ghost, a Netflix family supernatural adventure movie directed by Christopher Landon, opposite Anthony Mackie and Jennifer Coolidge. In 2024, he voiced Dan in the animated movie Night of the Zoopocalypse and the following year, starred in the action thriller A Working Man.
In 2025, he returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Thunderbolts*, directed by Jake Schreier, reprising his role as Red Guardian.
What about his personal life? According to a 2025 Cosmopolitan report, Harbour is in a relationship with model Ellie Beers Fallon after ending things with musician Lily Allen.
Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna/Henry Creel)
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Jamie Campbell Bower’s brilliant portrayal of Vecna in season 4 cemented him as one of Stranger Things’ most memorable antagonists.
In 2024, Bower launched BloodMagic, a gothic rock project formed with drummer Kyle Adams, and released their debut single “Death/Rebirth” in April under Republic Records. That same year, he also appeared in the horror movie Witchboard and the French erotic movie Emmanuelle.
In early 2025, Bower was confirmed to join the cast of Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3, created by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.
In his personal life, Bower is reportedly dating creative agent Jess Moloney.
Also read: 50 most iconic movie villains of all time we love to hate
(Hero and Featured image credit: Netflix)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
