Don’t we all just love Stranger Things? At its core, the beloved show is about a group of teenagers whose lives are turned upside down (literally) when their best friend, Will Byers, goes missing under mysterious circumstances.
Set in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s, the series introduces a group of kids thrust into an extraordinary world of secret government experiments, supernatural forces, and parallel dimensions. As they search for Will and try to piece together what’s happening, they uncover a chilling conspiracy involving a hidden, alternate reality called the “Upside Down.”
The show stars a talented ensemble cast, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, the frantic mother desperately searching for her son, and David Harbour as Chief Jim Hopper, the town’s gruff but caring police chief.
The group of friends at the center of the series includes Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, a young girl with psychokinetic abilities who escapes from a secretive lab, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, the empathetic leader of the group, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, the quirky science enthusiast, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, the skeptical and brave friend.
Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Mike’s older sister who becomes entangled in the investigation, and Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Will’s older brother who also plays a significant role in the mystery surrounding his brother’s disappearance.
Here are some amazing facts from the show you probably never knew about.
How Steve Harrington Became a Likeable Character
Steve Harrington starts as the charming high school heartthrob with great hair and a seemingly typical jock attitude.
As the series unfolds, though, he grows into one of the most beloved characters, trading his bad-boy image for a babysitter extraordinaire role with a caring side. Initially, however, Steve was written as a vile character, even assaulting Nancy Wheeler in the pilot. But after casting Joe Keery, the Duffer Brothers reworked him into a likable fan favorite.
What Happened to Eleven’s Dad?
The show never mentions it, but background details show that Dr. Brenner had Eleven’s father drafted into the Vietnam War, where he died in combat.
By 2018, David Harbour (Hopper) and Finn Wolfhard (Mike) appeared in every episode of Seasons 1 and 2. Dustin also appeared, but only briefly in a flashback during Season Two, Episode Seven (The Lost Sister).
Finn Wolfhard’s Stranger Things Audition
The cast of Stranger Things may seem destined for their roles, but the road to Hawkins was anything but ordinary. From surprising first picks to auditions straight out of a fever dream, here’s a peek at the quirky ways some of the show’s stars landed their parts:
Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) was the very first actor cast, setting the stage for the show’s iconic ensemble before anyone else was on board.
Meanwhile, Finn Wolfhard (Mike) was so sick during the audition that he recorded his tape from under the covers—proving he could nail the role, even with a fever!
Interesting Detail on Eleven’s Iconic Outfit
Let’s talk about Eleven’s wardrobe—because honestly, her outfits are just as unforgettable as her powers. From her buzzed head and hospital gown to her grunge-inspired mall looks, there’s always a story behind what she wears. Case in point: that pink dress and blonde wig? It’s a deliberate nod to E.T.’s disguise in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).
Stranger Things Record-Breaking Success
Within its first month, the third season of Stranger Things was watched by a staggering 64 million households, becoming Netflix’s most-watched original series at the time.
Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) insisted on adding a camouflage bandana to his wardrobe.
Over 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt were used to create the iconic scene where Eleven floats in the kiddie pool.
The Demogorgon’s D&D Roots
The Demogorgon is one of the most powerful villains in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st edition). It rules as the Demon Prince of the Abyss.
Millie Bobby Brown shaved her head for her role as Eleven, with her mother documenting the emotional moment on a camcorder. Her father was so distressed, that he couldn’t watch. The footage was later uploaded to YouTube.
Nancy’s Stranger Things Tradition
Just like Eleven, Nancy’s wardrobe hides some clever details too. Even eagle-eyed fans may have picked up on this: Nancy (played by Natalia Dyer) rocks stripes during every season’s climactic battle—a subtle but consistent choice that quietly ties her big moments together.
Millie Bobby Brown’s Felt Awkward During Her First Kiss
The actress revealed that her first kiss was with Finn Wolfhard during a scene, which left her feeling awkward. Millie also shares a platonic wedding pact with co-star Noah Schnapp.
Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) cruises around Hawkins in a 1971 Ford Galaxie 500, a quintessential vintage vehicle.
What It Took For Winona Ryder To Star in The Series
When Ryder joined Stranger Things, she made a deal. If a Beetlejuice sequel happened, she’d get time off. Lucky for her, when Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) was finally made, Stranger Things was on break. She didn’t have to choose.
5 More Facts About Stranger Things
From legal drama to secret playlists, here are five more fascinating facts about the hit Netflix show:
The Montauk Lawsuit
In 2018, a filmmaker named Charlie Kessler sued the Duffer brothers, claiming they stole the idea for Stranger Things from his short film Montauk. Both stories involved a missing kid, a mysterious military base, and a monster from another dimension. However, when documents from 2010 proved the Duffers had independently created their concept, Kessler dropped the case right before trial in 2019.
Eddie Munson’s Playlists
Joseph Quinn, who played fan-favorite Eddie Munson, has a Spotify account where fans find playlists inspired by Stranger Things. He even made specific ones for Eddie and for his co-stars like Joe Keery, Gaten Matarazzo, and Maya Hawke.
Castle Byers Password
To access ‘Castle Byers,’ you’d need the password “Radagast.” It’s a nod to Radagast the Brown, a wizard from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. A subtle but cool connection for Tolkien fans!
Gaten’s Voice Change
Gaten Matarazzo grew up fast during production. By the time they finished filming, his voice had changed so much that the sound team couldn’t use him for re-recording dialogue.
Music Inspired by The Guest
The 2014 thriller The Guest heavily influenced the soundtrack and style of Stranger Things. It even led the Duffer brothers to discover the band Survive, whose music became a signature sound for the show.
Surprised by any of these? There’s always more to uncover in the Upside Down!