Cast of Stranger Things: Where the Stars Are Headed After the Series Finale
The End of an Era for Stranger Things
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things premiered in three parts in November and December 2025, with the finale released on December 31. After nearly a decade of supernatural adventures in Hawkins, Indiana, the beloved Netflix series has concluded, leaving fans wondering what’s next for the talented ensemble that became household names. The cast includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, Linda Hamilton, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Nell Fisher.
From Unknown Child Stars to Hollywood Power Players
When Netflix dropped Stranger Things in July 2016, the cast were unknowns riding bikes through fictional Hawkins. Nearly a decade later, they’ve transformed into producers, directors, parents and fashion icons who’ve built empires far beyond the Upside Down. The young actors who started as relatively unknown performers have evolved into influential figures in the entertainment industry, with multiple projects lined up for 2026 and beyond.
What the Main Cast Is Doing Next
Millie Bobby Brown, 21, has two high-profile projects in the pipeline. The Netflix film, Enola Holmes 3, will once again cast her as the titular private detective and reunite her with Henry Cavill as her older Sherlock. Additionally, she’ll be going stratospheric in 2026, thanks to an as-yet-undisclosed role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, that’s rumoured to be a villain, and could spin-off into future Marvel movie appearances.
Finn Wolfhard is moving away from genre fare in 2026, with Wolfhard currently shooting a small-town coming-of-age movie called Crash Land. Caleb McLaughlin leads the voice cast of Sony Pictures Animation’s Goat, scheduled for February 2026 alongside Stephen Curry and Viola Davis. Maya Hawke will be portraying Wiress in the new Hunger Games movie, and appearing in indie movies Wishful Thinking and One Night Only in 2026.
The Stranger Things Universe Continues
While the main series has ended, the Stranger Things universe is far from over. An animated spinoff titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 follows Eleven, Max, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will as they confront new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery threatening their town. Set in 1985 between seasons two and three, showrunner Eric Robles has teased a season-long mystery filled with strong horror elements and high stakes.
Lasting Impact and Legacy
The cast of Stranger Things has left an indelible mark on popular culture. Stranger Things has received critical acclaim throughout its run, particularly during its first season, with praise for its characterization, atmosphere, acting, directing, writing, and nostalgic homage to 1980s cinema, making it a hallmark of 1980s nostalgia. As these talented actors move forward with diverse projects spanning film, television, theatre, and music, their time in Hawkins will remain a defining chapter in their careers and in television history.