This article discusses sexual assault.
Stranger Things nearly had a problematic Steve scene, but thankfully it was removed from the show. The Duffer brothers' coming-of-age sci-fi horror went through quite a few changes before it became the Stranger Things that audiences know and love. Some of the more notable changes involved fan-favorite character Steve Harrington (Joe Keery). The original plan for Steve was to be killed off in Stranger Things season 1 before the Duffer brothers changed direction. Steve's character has become a highlight of the show, something that wouldn't have been the case if one controversial scene had remained in Stranger Things.
Joe Keery revealed in an interview with GQ that Steve, who starts off in Stranger Things as a smarmy, popular jerk, was originally going to be a much darker character. As Keery explains, “[Steve] was having this party [in the script] — I think it was on a beach, because it originally took place in Montauk, Long Island. And he was a total, total dick. He forced himself on Nancy. Way harsher.” However, Joe Keery had his own ideas for Steve, imagining him as a flawed person who does mean well, and the Duffer brothers were receptive to his ideas, changing their plans for the Stranger Things character.
Steve Assaulting Nancy Would’ve Made Him Irredeemable In Stranger Things
Having Steve sexually assault Nancy (Natalia Dyer) would've made his character absolutely irredeemable in Stranger Things. Steve forcing himself on Nancy would have taken his character from a cocky jerk to a full-on villain. It would be difficult for Stranger Things to justify turning Steve into a hero, especially one who would end up working closely with Nancy and become friends with her after the couple breaks up in Stranger Things season 2. Stranger Things has had its share of dark moments, but this would be an especially uncomfortable moment in the show because it's not a supernatural threat - it's something that unfortunately happens in the real world.
Steve was a jerk in Stranger Things season 1, but he would be even less likable if the Duffer brothers had kept the assault scene in the script. It's doubtful that audiences would root for a Steve and Nancy romance if Steve had forced himself on her. Nancy and Steve were sweet and endearing together, and this harsher moment would have detracted from their appeal. The Duffer brothers probably wrote that Steve and Nancy scene back when Steve was meant to be killed off, and his despicable behavior would've made his death justifiable. However, Stranger Things' story is made better because of Steve's redemption, and the scene was rightfully removed.
Why Steve’s Character Development Works In Stranger Things
Throughout the Stranger Things timeline, Steve has successfully developed into a lovable character who has become the "designated babysitter" for the Party and a big brother figure for Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo). Steve's character development works because he wasn't a completely horrible person to begin with. Steve was cocky at the start, but he had room to grow, and he's able to realize how awful his behavior is towards Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and change his ways, abandoning his popular friends who laughed at Jonathan and slut-shamed Nancy. Steve slowly grows throughout Stranger Things season 1, culminating in a great heroic moment where he helps Nancy and Jonathan fight off the Demogorgon.
Steve may have started out as the typical '80s jerk jock character in Stranger Things, but thankfully the Duffer brothers took Steve and developed him into something better. Steve's development into a goofy yet protective and encouraging friend is a great subversion of a classic teen movie stereotype. If the Duffer brothers had kept in that problematic Steve and Nancy scene, they would be leaning more into a negative character trope, rather than allowing Steve to grow and become a better person. It's a good thing that the Duffer brothers didn't keep Steve as a villain, because his evolution in Stranger Things has been great to watch.
Source: GQ