We have some not-so-great news to share about Stranger Things season 5. While Stranger Things season 4 was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like another delay might be happening for season 5. On May 6, 2023, the Duffer Brothers revealed production on Stranger Things season 5 will not begin until the WGA strike is over.
That said, Netflix just hosted their annual TUDUM event on June 17 and announced a super exciting cast addition for season 5!
Stranger Things was officially the biggest Netflix show of 2022. Stranger Things season 4 was released in two parts during the summer of 2022, and since then, fans have been waiting for any big announcements from the Stranger Things team about the fifth season.
It’s going to be a while until season 5 hits Netflix, but because there’s so much information flying around, we created this page for fans to revisit to find out the latest updates about the Stranger Things season 5, cast, episodes, and more.
The latest update was made on Saturday, June 17, 2023. FanSided Entertainment’s Natalie Zamora and Bryce Olin contributed to this report.
Stranger Things season 5 delayed until the writers’ strike ends
In May 2023, the Duffer Brothers shared on Twitter that Stranger Things season 5 will not start filming until the writers’ strike is over. Stranger Things season 5 filming was reported to be starting in May or June.
In the last few months, the timeline for filming Stranger Things season 5 has been revealed.
David Harbour, who stars as Jim Hopper in the Netflix series, just revealed when production starts on the new season, and it’s in line with what we’ve heard from other cast members, Noah Schnapp and Finn Wolfhard. Harbour told Collider he starts filming in June 2023, while Schnapp mentioned he starts filming in May.
Harbour also revealed that, after sharing when he starts filming season 5, he got a bunch of emails from Netflix telling him to zip it and stop talking about season 5.
Unfortunately, that June start date is up in the air with the writers’ strike, according to the Duffers.
Stranger Things season 5 is the last season
Stranger Things season 5 is definitely happening. The only sad news is that it will mark the final season of the sci-fi phenomenon. In Feb. 2022, Netflix officially renewed the series for a fifth season, sharing a letter from the Duffer Brothers on social media. In the letter, the duo shared the exciting news about the Stranger Things season 4 release date, but also revealed the show is coming to an end. Check out the photo below.
David Harbour told Discussing Film that he knows it is time for Stranger Things to end.
What’s funny is when I started the show, I never ever wanted it to end. That’s why I love the show. I think it’s a great show, even if I wasn’t in it. Now we’re almost nine years from filming the first season, and I think it is time for it to end. But it is, of course, very bittersweet. You know, there’s a sadness there. But also, we’ve all grown up. It is time for us to leave that nest and try other things and different projects. And to let the Duffer Brothers try different things as well. I mean, those guys are so talented. I want to see what they come up with next. So it is bittersweet, but it’s definitely time.
Stranger Things fans might not agree, but that’s what is happening.
Is there Stranger Things season 5 release date yet?
As of May 2023, the Stranger Things season 5 release timeline is looking a little more clear, but no, we don’t know the release date for season 5 yet. There are lots of fake release dates online, so don’t get tricked!
So, let’s get into what we do know about the release date.
We already know that the wait between season 4 and season 5 will be shorter than the gap between season 3 and season 4. That’s what the Duffers told Variety:
“Don’t hold us to it, but the gap should be quite a bit shorter this time, due to the fact that we already have an initial outline, and we can’t imagine there will be another six-month forced hiatus.”
That’s good news. And, thanks to the stars of the show painting a more clear picture, we’re starting to figure out when Stranger Things season 5 is going to start filming this summer, according to Noah Schnapp. We know the writers have been hard at work on season 5 since about a month after the release of season 4 part 2. We have to assume that the outline is done, and we know from previous seasons the Duffers like to write as they go. We have to assume that will happen for season 5, as well.
In early March 2023, David Harbour just confirmed at Abu Dhabi Comic-Con that he starts filming in June 2023. He didn’t share the date yet, but filming begins this spring/summer. That’s great news, and it’s basically what Schnapp said earlier this year.
In a new video interview with GQ, Finn Wolfhard revealed he will be 22 years old when Stranger Things season 5 is released. That’s not great news. Wolfhard is currently 20 years old, and he will turn 21 in December 2023, which would mean Stranger Things season 5 is coming to Netflix in December 2024 at the earliest. We could see Netflix going for a Stranger Things season 5 release for the holidays, but that’s not the most ideal situation.
December 2024 is also about two and half years after season 4 dropped in May and July 2022. The Duffers said “the gap would be quite a bit shorter,” and that’s not really that much shorter, if the release date is late 2024.
There’s also the possibility that Wolfhard was speaking more generally than specifically when he was asked about the release date. He’d almost be 22 years old in the summer of 2024, which is when most people are expecting Stranger Things season 5 to be released.
Even David Harbour said he believes season 5 will begin filming sometime next year, telling GQ: “So it’d probably come out mid-2024, based on our track record.”
This hasn’t been confirmed by Netflix, but we’d assume Harbour has a pretty good guess.
Now, as of May 2023, we have to factor in the delay because of the writers’ strike. Here’s what the Duffers tweeted about production on season 5:
“Duffers here. Writing does not stop when filming begins. While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then — over and out. #wgastrong”
Until the AMPTP offers the writers a deal and meets their requests, Stranger Things season 5 will be delayed. We had a feeling the Duffers would not cross the picket line. They revealed in the past, that they are constantly writing and rewriting during the production schedule, and they’re not going to work until the AMPTP offers a deal.
There was some doubt if production on season 5 would take place. House of the Dragon and Rings of Power are still filming through the strike without showrunners and writers on set, according to reports. Stranger Things is a different animal, though. As the Duffers mentioned, when the AMPTP offers a “fair deal,” they’ll get to work on season 5.
For now, we’re expecting the Stranger Things season 5 release will likely be in the summer of 2024, but it’s possible we might have to wait a little longer for Stranger Things season 5. That’s definitely something we’re used to!
Stranger Things season 5 release prediction: Late summer 2024
Anything before summer 2024 is out of the question at this point. There’s going to be at least one year between the start of production on season 5, which is happening in May or June, and the release of the season. There’s simply too much that has to happen.
Stranger Things season 5 plot
We have to imagine the plot of Stranger Things season 5 will revolve around the giant hole that was created in the center of Hawkins that is definitely linked to the Upside Down. The Duffers have already revealed that will be a big focus of the season.
Variety released an interview with Matt and Ross Duffers ahead of the Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 release, where they gave multiple plot teases about season 5. At this point in time, they do not know whether or not season 5 will be split into two parts like season 4 was, but they are aware of a few major plot points that will be explored.
For one, the Duffers say we will finally learn about the origins of the Upside Down come Stranger Things season 5, with them explaining:
“The only thing we don’t delve into in [season 4] volume 2 is Upside Down lore. We hint at it. I’m sure someone on Reddit will be able to maybe piece it together, but a lot of those answers for the Upside Down or that is really what the basis of season 5 is about.”
So we can expect the history of the Upside Down and all of its mysterious lore to be the main plot of season 5. I love it! Additionally, the creators revealed we will get answers in season 5 as to why the Upside Down is frozen in time on the date that Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) went missing. We find this out in Stranger Things season 4 volume 1, but it’s not explained.
In addition, Will is set to be a focal point of season 5. In an interview with Collider, here’s what Matt Duffer had to say:
“Will’s going to be a big part and focus, is really all I can say of Season 5, in his journey. We’re starting to see his coming of age, really. Which has been challenging for a number of reasons, some of which are supernatural. But you’re starting to see him come into his own.”
On Twitter,the writers revealed that the new season will be like “if season 1 and season 4 had a baby. And that baby was injected with steroids.” Of course, just that short tweet got fans excited!
There are so many unanswered questions about season 5, and it all feels like we’ve been building to this moment for so long. We have to assume that Vecna still has a major role to play in Stranger Things season 5, although he was vanquished by Nancy, Eleven, and the gang in the fourth season.
We tried to answer a few more big questions about the season below.
Stranger Things season 5 cast
We know most of the Stranger Things season 5 cast, and many have confirmed they will return for the fifth season. We shared the cast below:
- Milly Bobby Brown as Eleven
- David Harbour as Jim Hopper
- Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
- Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
- Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
- Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
- Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
- Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
- Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
- Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
- Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
- Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
- Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman
- Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair
- Eduardo Franco as Argyle
- Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna
- Paul Reiser as Dr. Sam Owens
- Linda Hamilton in an undisclosed role
Throughout each season of the Netflix Original, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting some fantastic new characters, including Max, Bob (Sean Astin), Eddie, and more. Of course, we’ve also met a few new villains, like Billy (Dacre Montgomery) and Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), too. But what about in Stranger Things season 5? Well, we know of one new cast addition.
Linda Hamilton has joined Stranger Things season 5 cast
To our surprise, Netflix announced on June 17 that iconic actress Linda Hamilton will appear in the fifth season! That’s awesome. Hamilton is best known for playing Sarah Connor in the Terminator movies. I love that Stranger Things keep casting actors who rose to fame in movies from the ’70s and the ’80s. We don’t know who Hamilton will be playing but we’re excited to find out!
Breaking News From #TUDUM
Linda Hamilton is joining the cast of Stranger Things 5! pic.twitter.com/qYJMeGS700
— Netflix (@netflix) June 17, 2023
Is Max dead or alive in Stranger Things season 5?
The finale of Stranger Things season 4 shocked us all by killing off Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and then soon bringing her back. At the end of the episode, she’s in the hospital in a coma. They don’t know when or if she will come back. The Duffers did confirm to Deadline that at the end of season 4 she is alive, but “brain dead, blind, and all of her bones are broken.” So unless something big happens between seasons, we’re assuming Max might still be in a coma when season 5 starts.
As for what Sadie Sink thinks, she doesn’t know what will happen for Max in season 5, but she told Vulture: “I think she’s at a place where she now really wants to fight.” At this time, we don’t know if Max will make it in the end, but we predict she will.
Will Joseph Quinn be in Stranger Things season 5?
A real death we have to deal with in Stranger Things season 4 is when Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) sacrifices himself to save the rest of the group while distracting the Demobats. The character is introduced in season 4 and instantly became a fan-favorite with viewers. People are now obsessed with Joseph Quinn (even Doja Cat!) and want him to return somehow in the final season.
At this time, it has not been confirmed by the Duffers whether or not Eddie could return in some capacity, but Quinn would love to come back if he was asked. While speaking to E! News, he said of the possibility:
“Me and Joe Keery (Steve Harrington) were discussing ways in which I could kind of [return] …maybe I’d be like a figment of Gaten’s imagination or something, like if there could be some kind of room for something like that, something a bit supernatural.”
There’s a popular theory going around that Eddie could come back as a vampire, with Dungeons & Dragons lore to back it up. Honestly, I’d think that’d be pretty cool. But could the Duffers fit that storyline in with everything else going on? We’ll have to wait and see.
Unfortunately, at Comic-Con in Abu Dhabi, Quinn also spoke about his involvement in Stranger Things season 5. According to Winter Is Coming, Quinn told the crowd, “I think it’s probably unlikely. That’s my honest answer.”
Yikes. That doesn’t sound good for a possible Eddie Munson appearance. There is a chance, obviously, that we could see a cameo appearance via flashback or memory or something like that, but that might happen way down the line. And, we know Quinn wouldn’t ruin that possibility by announcing it at a convention.
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