Despite David Harbour's initial expectation that Stranger Things would be canceled after season 1, season 4 has been a phenomenal success. Similarly, another successful Netflix show, Riverdale's season 6 is drawing to a close this week. Indeed, both shows have managed to gain a huge following.
Stranger Things and the most recent season of Riverdale both follow the story of a group of young people in a small town that is being targeted by a supernatural villain. Given the similarities in the content of the shows, it is no surprise that the characters have things in common too.
Papa - Hal Cooper
Both Papa in Stranger Things and Hal Cooper in Riverdale are villains in their respective shows. While Papa has an ambitious scientist persona, Hal Cooper is the notorious Riverdale serial killer, the Black Hood.
However, while both characters have an evil side, they both have a strong connection with one of the younger main characters and try to nurture something they see in them. While Papa is, for much of her life, a paternal figure to El and helps her to develop her powers, Hal Cooper grooms his daughter, Betty, in hopes of her becoming a serial killer too.
Will Byers - Kevin Keller
Both Will in Stranger Things and Kevin in Riverdale have a really difficult time. Despite being an integral part of their friendship groups at the beginning of the first season of their respective shows, they become outsiders following some serious adversities.
Will is never quite the same after his time in the Upside Down and his experience of being possessed by the Mind Flayer. Similarly, following his experiences at the Farm, Kevin never quite returns to his happy-go-lucky self.
Nancy Wheeler - Veronica Lodge
Veronica and Nancy so often provide the voice of reason in their friendship groups, helping their respective gangs succeed in overcoming their latest small-town life-and-death adversity. Both Veronica and Nancy are practical go-getters, they work hard and they get things done.
Additionally, both characters are involved in a love triangle in their respective shows. Whereas Nancy seems to be torn between Jonathan and Steve, Veronica wants to be with Archie even though he's in a relationship with her best friend, Betty.
Mike Wheeler - Archie Andrews
Mike and Archie have serious hero complexes. Both characters have morals and values that are impossible for themselves or others to consistently live up to. Furthermore, they both go through a rebellious phase during their teenage years following a traumatic event, Archie forms the Red Circle when his father is shot and Mike goes off the rails when he believes El is dead.
Nonetheless, both characters are the glue that holds their friendship groups together. Mike is the 'heart' and Archie reunites his friendship group as adults when he returns to Riverdale after being in the army.
Steve Harrington - Reggie Mantle
Both Steve and Reggie are underestimated. While both characters are considered not to be the most intelligent by the other characters on their respective shows, this is actually not accurate. Reggie and Steve both have moments of genius and have particularly good emotional intelligence.
While Steve forms a strong bond with Dustin and helps him deal with the struggles of young teenage life, Reggie helps Veronica see the toxicity in their relationship. Additionally, both characters are initially bullies in the popular groups at their schools but redeem themselves as time goes on.
Jim Hopper - Fred Andrews
In both shows, the parents and guardians of the young characters are not always great at keeping track of their dependents. The parents are, for the most part, shown as completely clueless. However, Hopper and Fred are exceptions to this rule in Stranger Things and Riverdale.
Both Hopper and Fred desperately try to keep their child safe, despite the fact that they are almost always in serious danger. Additionally, both fathers have a strong connection to their child and when they die (or are thought to be dead, in Hopper's case), their respective child is devastated.
Eddie Munson - Jughead Jones
Both Eddie and Jughead know what it means to be an outcast. While they do have friends, both characters seem a little distanced from their friendship groups. Whereas Eddie has been held back at school and is much older than his friends, Jughead's history with Betty keeps him on the edge of his friendship group.
Additionally, both characters struggle with their self-esteem. Eddie hates being the one who runs from frightening situations and Jughead holds himself to an impossible standard. Furthermore, both characters make a sacrifice for the greater good. Eddie sacrifices himself to give the others the best possible chance of defeating Vecna and Jughead continues to write comics in Rivervale to keep the parallel universes alive.
Dustin Henderson- Cheryl Blossom
While these characters may not look at all alike, they do have similar personalities and play similar roles in their respective shows. Both Dustin and Cheryl are relied upon by their peers to offer insights into the supernatural goings-on in their respective towns. Whereas Cheryl is skilled in magic and witchcraft, Dustin is very bright and has an aptitude for science.
However, with their exceptional levels of intelligence comes overinflated egos. Both characters are so self-assured that they often come across as arrogant, which is drawn attention to by other characters in their respective shows.
Vecna - Percival Pickens
Percival and Vecna are the current, biggest, and most dangerous villains on their respective shows. They are both intent on destroying the town in which their shows are based, Hawkins and Riverdale. Percival and Vecna have pretty detailed backstories explaining why they hold such a hatred for the town or have such a willingness to destroy it.
Similarly, Vecna and Percival can only be defeated by the young main characters of their respective shows, whose superpowers are relied upon to save everyone.
Eleven - Betty Cooper
Eleven and Betty Cooper have both experienced difficult and unconventional childhoods. Whereas Eleven grew up in a laboratory learning to harness her powers, Betty's childhood, despite seeming ordinary on the outside, involved being groomed by her father to become a serial killer.
For both characters, an extraordinary amount of responsibility rests on their shoulders. El is the only person capable of defeating Vecna and, in addition to her powers, Betty's role with the FBI leaves her largely responsible for the safety of her friends, family, and hometown.