The Duffer brothers explained that there likely wouldn’t be many newbies in Hawkins for the final season.
“We’re doing our best to resist [adding new characters] for Season 5,” Matt told IndieWire in August 2022. “We’re trying not to do that so we can focus on the OG characters, I guess.”
Ross, for his part, added: “Whenever we introduce a new character, we want to make sure that they’re going to be an integral part of the narrative. We’ve got a great cast of characters here, and actors, and any moment we’re spending with a new character, we’re taking time away from one of the other actors.”
Despite the concern about expanding their universe too much, the Duffer brothers cast Linda Hamilton in a secret role. She teased her involvement while speaking with Us in February 2024.
“When you really buy into something, you don’t see yourself in it. So I think in a way, it kind of ruined the show for me,” she said. “I never watch [a project], once I’m in something. It would just completely take me out of the reality of it to see myself in there. So I won’t be watching [season 5].”
In July 2024, Nell Fisher, Alex Breaux and Jake Connelly also joined the final season of the show.
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