Netflix has announced four new stars for Stranger Things season 4, all of whom will be playing students and faculty at Hawkins High School. The beloved sci-fi/horror show’s fourth season has seen several delays due to the covid-19 pandemic, and production is still ongoing. In addition to the various new faces, Stranger Things season 4 stars returning actors Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, and Sadie Sink.
The end of Stranger Things season 3 left some big questions hanging. Hopper was seemingly vaporized after shutting down the Soviets’ attempt at reopening the Upside Down, only for it to be revealed that he survived and is being held as a prisoner in Siberia. The Byers family moved away from Hawkins with Eleven. And several prominent characters, including Max’s brother Billy, died during the attacks from Upside Down monsters.
A few empty roster spots are being filled by new characters in Stranger Things season 4, and Netflix announced several of the incoming stars via the official Stranger Things Twitter account. Anne with an E star Amybeth McNulty will feature as Hawkins High “cool, fast-talking band nerd” Vickie, Myles Truitt (Kin, Black Lightning) plays student basketball star Patrick, Regina Ting Chen (Watchmen, The Conjuring 3) plays guidance counselor Ms. Kelly, and Grace Van Dien (The Village, The Binge) joins the cast as head cheerleader Chrissy. Check out the new cast’s (upside-down) character portraits and descriptions below.
It looks like Stranger Things season 4 will be spending a lot of time within the walls of Hawkins High. The new characters should bring some fun and different energy to the show and will hopefully help fill the hole left by the many characters who’ve now departed Hawkins for various other locations. Of course, it seems inevitable that Will, Eleven, Hopper, and the others will eventually be reunited with the Hawkins crew. But depending on how the story of season 4 plays out, that might take some time.
Regardless, it’s exciting to see so many new faces entering the world of Stranger Things. The series initially succeeded on the merits of its ‘80s aesthetic and Steven King-Esque horror storyline. The show became much more ensemble-driven, expanding stories beyond the core group of kids in the years since. The characters are the main force bringing fans back, and the show has introduced a vast number of them in its first three seasons. Now, Stranger Things season 4 will populate Hawkins with a new crop of kids.
Source: Stranger Things