Stranger Things Stars Reflect on Journey as Final Season Nears

LOS ANGELES, CA — Noah Schnapp had a dream last night that brought him back to the early days of filming “Stranger Things.” He recalls hanging out with his younger self, baby Will Byers, from the show’s first season. “I was like, ‘You’re so cute and little,’” Schnapp said. The actor reflects on how much he and his co-stars have changed since the series premiered in 2016.

Despite their physical transformations and growing social media followings, Schnapp and co-stars Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo have maintained a close bond. The group gathered recently in a cozy restaurant courtyard on a chilly October afternoon, reminiscing over tea and truffle fries. “Every time we’re back together, it feels like we’re back to season one,” Schnapp said, with Matarazzo agreeing, “I feel like I’m younger Caleb again.”

This camaraderie is tinged with bittersweetness as the beloved series prepares to conclude with its upcoming fifth season, releasing in three parts between late November and New Year’s Eve. The final season will continue to explore the nostalgia-laden story of Indiana kids battling Lovecraftian monsters from a parallel dimension.

Schnapp expressed that his dream allowed him to process the sadness surrounding the show’s ending. During the restaurant gathering, Wolfhard likened the show’s conclusion to mourning. “When a family member passes away, everyone has their own way of coping with that,” he remarked.

As the cast has grown together over the years, their bond has become akin to that of siblings. They have shared personal struggles and celebrated individual triumphs while navigating adolescence. They emphasized that disagreements do not escalate into fights, a remarkable feat for a group of young boys experiencing the challenges of growing up together.

As filming for the final season progressed, the actors faced the emotional weight of saying goodbye. Matarazzo mentioned how they have been mentally preparing since 2022 when the Duffer Brothers announced the series would end after five seasons. Schnapp recalled his heartbreak at the news, with Wolfhard experiencing a week of depression. However, he noted that the three years of filming offered them moments to enjoy together as a cast.

Each actor reflected on their personal journeys throughout this process. Wolfhard explained feeling pressure to deliver his best performance and savor final moments working with each other, even while still hopeful for a potential spin-off series. Matarazzo acknowledged their preparation for the end and how it shifted their outlook on their time together.

The emotional toll is also reflected in their characters, with Wolfhard mentioning how Dustin has evolved. As the show’s narrative returns to pivotal moments, including Will Byers’ disappearance, Schnapp was involved in a unique filming process that included mentoring a younger actor who played his character as a child.

Ultimately, Schnapp articulated the personal growth he experienced, emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness. “The show has made me feel OK in who I am,” he said. As filming concluded, a reunion took place on set with parents present, likening the atmosphere to the end of a school year.

With confetti and tears marking the end of the shoot, the actors cherish their shared experiences. Wolfhard expressed excitement about seeing the final season and insisted that the cast feels they created something special. “We did a great job,” he concluded.