They say that when you see an actor growing up on a TV show as they play a character for several years, you create a special bond with them. One such television series is Stranger Things, which debuted on Netflix for the first time six years ago. So, the kids who carried the series forward magically and made it one of the best sci-fi series on Netflix aren’t kids anymore. Now, as we are inching towards the finale of our favorite show, don’t you want to know where your beloved actors are now? Well, here’s all you need to know about Stranger Things cast and what they are up to now. Since it’s been a long they appeared on screen as the characters, we have included then and now photos of Stranger Things cast.
1. Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven
The fearless heroine, Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, never failed to stun us with her last-minute heroic entries and never-give-up attitude in Stranger Things. The character entered the game in Season 1 and instantly hooked the fandom with her innocent facial expressions. She also intrigued us with the crazy supernatural powers she harbored. Be it the Demogorgon or the Upside-Down monster, Vecna, El was the one who came to the rescue. Stranger Things handled the character really well, and we got to witness a well-crafted character arc. Millie Bobby Brown was 12 years old when she first appeared in Stranger Things season 1. Now, she’s 21 years old in 2025.
Millie Bobby Brown started her acting career in 2013 with Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, which saw her as the young Alice. Following her debut project, she appeared in Intruders, NCIS, Modern Family, and Grey’s Anatomy in 2014 and 2015, respectively. However, she wasn’t recognized significantly until she appeared in Stranger Things in 2016. Since then, she became a part of some of the renowned projects like Enola Homes, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Damsel, The Electric State, and more.
In 2019, the actress launched her own skincare and makeup brand named Florence by Mills in collaboration with the Beach House Group. She became a majority shareholder of the parent company a year later. Millie Bobby Brown got married to Jake Bongiovi in May 2024 and held a private ceremony. Later, the couple hosted a second yet larger wedding celebration in Italy in October 2024.
2. Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
Finn Wolfhard portrays Mike Wheeler, the leader of the Hawkins gang in Stranger Things. He gave shelter to Eleven when the poor girl escaped the lab and was looking for a hideout. After Will’s disappearance, Mike took the leadership and decided to solve the mystery no matter how challenging the road was. Also, after realizing that El knows something about his friend’s disappearance, he takes the girl as part of his group. With the story moving forward, Mike also starts dating Eleven, giving us one of the cutest love stories to witness.
Mike aka Wolfhard debuted in the acting world in 2012 by appearing in a music video. The post-apocalyptic drama series The 100 saw the young actor’s TV debut in 2014. Since then, he has appeared in several television shows and films like It 1 and 2, Stranger Things, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and more. He also directed a short movie titled Night Shifts in 2020 and later joined the rock band called The Aubreys as a lead singer and guitarist.
These days, Finn Wolfhard is actively participating in the promotion of his latest directed movie titled Hell of a Summer, in which he is also appearing as a major character.
3. Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
Lucas is a member of the Hawkins gang and the one who always listens to his instincts, especially when it comes to his friends: Will, Mike, and Dustin. He was the one who was skeptical when Mike took in Eleven in Season 1. He is the most loyal friend one could ever have. Unlike his friends, he doesn’t make impulsive decisions, and that’s the reason why he is often seen as the backbone of the group.
His morals don’t allow him to show off his emotions, but when it comes to his loved ones, Lucas never shies away from showing up. Lucas falls in love with Max Mayfield and stays by her side in Season 4 after taking her for granted during his time on the Hawkins High basketball team.
Caleb McLaughlin began his television journey with minor roles in projects like Noah Dreams of Origami Fortunes, Unforgettable, and more. Since his appearance in Stranger Things, significant projects have come his way. These include High Flying Bird, Final Space, and more. Apart from acting, he has also lent his voice to several animated characters, including Simba in The Lion King (the Broadway musical).
4. Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
Unlike the other members of the Hellfire Club, Dustin isn’t charismatic, but he is the most intellectual kid in the group. No matter how dark it gets, Dustin never fails to save the day with his resources. He is the one who is always goofing around and making everyone laugh with his silly jokes. Dustin is a precious gem who would not miss any chance to make his friends feel loved. For instance, after getting along with Steve, he gave us one of the best Bromances in the history of television.
Gaten Matarazzo started as a theatre artist, and Stranger Things brought a turning point in his life. Recently, Gaten appeared as a voice actor in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuilding the Galaxy. Besides acting, the American actor serves as a fundraiser for an organization that helps people suffering from the genetic condition of Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD), as he himself suffers from it.
5. Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
It all starts with Will Byers’ disappearance after his confrontation with an otherworldly creature one night. After putting in all their efforts, his mother and friends find Will with the help of Jim Hopper. Even though he returns from the alternate reality, it leaves an impact on his psyche, and he starts getting disturbing visions.
Noah Schnapp is a 20-year-old American actor who grabbed a lot of attention after appearing as Will Byers in Stranger Things. His acting prep began in school, where his parents encouraged him to participate in the plays. Later, he started his professional journey in acting in 2015 with the animated film The Peanuts Movie. Since then, he has appeared in several live-action projects and also has lent his voice to several animated characters in video games and films.
6. Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
Natalie Dyer portrays Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things. She is the elder sister of Mike Wheeler, who initially dated Steve Harrington. However, after realizing a couple of things about their relationship, she parts ways with him. Later, after her friend Barb goes missing, she joins forces with Jonathan and helps him solve the mystery behind the disappearances in Hawkins.
Natalia Dyer gained appreciation with her film debut in Hannah Montana: The Movie as Clarissa Granger. Like many characters on this list, the role in Stranger Things became her breakthrough performance. She not only dated Jonathan Byers in the fictional project but has also been dating Charlie Heaton, the actor playing him, since 2016 in real life.
7. Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
Steve Harrington, portrayed by Joe Keery, enters the game as a boy who is extremely popular among girls. He initially gave us an antagonistic vibe, but with the story moving forward, we get to see him transform. He becomes someone who stands by his friends no matter what the situation is. Reportedly, the creators wanted Steve to be a bad guy in the series who would die in Season 1. However, Keery made them change their minds with his incredible portrayal of the character.
Like Finn Wolfhard, Joe Keery is a musician as well as an actor. Steve’s portrayal in Stranger Things helped him gather a massive fan base. He has bagged roles in several projects after Stranger Things, including Free Guy, Cold Storage, and Fargo’s fifth season. Following his departure from the Rock Band called Post Animal, Keery released his solo studio albums Twenty Twenty and Decide, which were released in 2019 and 2022, respectively.
8. Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
Max Mayfield joins the cast of Stranger Things in Season 2. She ends up becoming a close friend of Mike Wheeler and the gang. Later, she also establishes a romantic relationship with Lucas; it have been an on-and-off thing, though.
Sadie Sink began her acting career when she was seven years old. Like Gaten Matarazzo, she also began it all with theatrical performances. After working on Stranger Things, many projects came her way, including the Fear Street Trilogy. Most recently, Sadie Sink has appeared on screen in a movie titled O’dessa, which is streaming on Hulu.
Talking about her upcoming projects, some reports suggest that Sadie has been taken on board for Spider-Man 4; nothing about her portrayal in the film has been revealed yet.
9. Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
Jonathan Byers is Will’s elder brother, who starts blaming himself for not being at home the day his little brother disappeared mysteriously. At the start, Jonathan is usually bullied by Steve, and one day, when the latter breaks the former’s camera, Nancy helps him. After that, she befriends Jonathan, and later, the duo starts dating each other.
Before beginning acting, Charlie Heaton was a musician who also did commercials to earn a living. In 2017, the U.S. government banned him from entering the country as the authorities found drugs in his luggage. Besides Stranger Things, his performance can be seen in As You Are, New Mutants, and more. Currently, he is in a relationship with Natalie Dyer, the actress who plays Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things, and the two were spotted at Burberry’s fashion show recently.
10. Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
Robin Buckley became a crucial character in Stranger Things after appearing in Season 3. She becomes Steve’s best friend after working with him at the ice cream parlor. She’s a quirky individual who can do everything for the people she cares about. Her chemistry with Steve is phenomenal in the series, and we’ll surely see the duo getting even closer (as friends) in the upcoming season.
Maya Hawke portrays the character in Stranger Things. The talented daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman began her career in the BBC’s Little Women. However, she gained recognition after her role in Stranger Things. Since then, Maya has only climbed up the ladder and worked on projects like Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Fear Street Part One: 1994, and Wildcat.
Her latest project is Inside Out 2, where she voiced Anxiety. Apart from being an actor, Maya is also a singer and a songwriter. Her latest album, Chaos Angel, with a Metacritic rating of 81, was received well by the audience and critics alike.
So, this is everything about Stranger Things cast now, and we will wait for season 5 to see these characters appear on our screen.
Source: Beebom
