Summary
Stranger Thingsseason 5is going to conclude thehit Netflix series, and fans are all set to watch the Hawkins kids face their biggest battle yet. However, the story is most probably going to go on without a few side characters, even some who were most loved in their respective seasons.
For some of these characters, their arcs have reached an end, and for others, it was probably behind-the-scenes decisions that caused them not to be a part of theStranger Things season 5cast. And for fans who are wondering, “When isStranger Things season 5coming out?”, there’s good news! Filming was completed in December 2024, and the final showdown is expected to premiere in Q4 2025.
6Claudia Henderson (Catherine Curtin)
Won’t Be Returning Due To Scheduling Conflicts
Stranger Things 5news has confirmed that actress Catherine Curtin won’t be reprising her role as Claudia Henderson (Dustin’s mom) due to scheduling conflicts. Fans love how she interacts with Dustin, and her quirky yet warm nature adds some normalcy to the chaos.
At the time, she was filmingSaturday Night, a movieaboutSNL’spremiere in 1975 - the reason why she wasn’t able to be a part of theStranger Things 5cast. Although lovers of the show will miss seeing herwith Dustin, the actress has assured them thatthe final seasonis absolutely worth the long wait.
5Dmitri Antonov (Tom Wlaschiha)
His Storyline Seems To Be Wrapped Up
Played by actor Tom Wlaschiha, Dmitri was animportant characterinStranger Thingsseason 4; however, it seems like his storyline was wrapped up in the same season. Dmitrihelped Hopper escapeand return to America, but he chose to stay behind, making it very unlikely for him to be a part of the final season.
The upcoming installment is going to focus heavily on Hawkins and thebattle against Vecna, so there’s no real reason for the plot to go back to Russia. All that fans can do is wait for theStranger Things5release date to be announced, but for now, it seems like Wlaschiha’s journey withthe franchisehas come to an end.
4Argyle (Eduardo Franco)
Never Received A Call To Reprise His Role
Eduardo France has confirmed that he won’t be a part of theStranger Things 5cast. Although he was amain characterin season 4, he revealed in an interview on theSteve Varley Showthat he never received a call to be back on the show. His exact statement was, “I never received a phone call, so that seems to be the situation”.
Although only oneStranger Things 5posterfeaturing Elevenhas been released so far, a black and white cast photo shared by Netflix makes it evident that the series will move forwardwithout Argyleand his comedic presence.
3Suzie Bingham (Gabriela Pizzolo)
Absence From The Cast Photo Hints At No Return
If there’sone scenethat fans can’t get out of their heads, it’s the duet between Dustin and Suzie - some couldn’t get enough of the cuteness, while others said that it was the very reason Hopper went missing. Nonetheless, they were glad that they got to see a littlemore of Suzie Binghamin season 4.
Gabriela Pizzolo, the actress who plays Suzie, is another character who isn’t present in theStranger Things 5cast photo, and this most probably means that she won’t be in the final season. Those who ship the couplestill remain hopefuland are waiting until theStranger Thingsseason 5 release date to see if Dustin’s “Suzie Poo” will make a surprise appearance.
Her Storyline Has Been Sidelined Since Season 2
Kali, also known as Eight, is a sister figure to Eleven and is played by actress Linnea Berthelsen. Like a few other characters mentioned above, she was also missing from the official cast photo. Fans of the show have been eagerly awaiting her comebacksince season 2, but her storyline has been abandoned since then.
Of course, it is going to be very challenging for the Duffer Brothers to satisfy every group of fans' wishes, making it very unlikely for a character who has been missing this long to be back in the finale. Still, it isn’t entirely impossible for her to return - shemay just be backwith the other Hawkins Lab test subjects to help Eleven fight Vecna (at least fans hope so).
1Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn)
A Leaked Photo Of Dustin By Eddie’s Grave Has Surfaced Online
Despite all the theories made up by die-hardEddie Munsonfans,his resurrectionis something that’s not going to happen. Some behind-the-scenes photos that were leaked show Dustin visiting Eddie’s grave, further confirming that he won’t be returning in the final season.
Plus,Joseph Quinnwas also missing from the cast photo released by Netflix - another reason for fans not to get their hopes up. With Eddie’s guitar solo andheartbreaking sacrificefresh on every viewer’s mind, the Duffer Brothers just may find a way to honor his death on-screen, even ifhe isn’t alive.
