Where Are The Stranger Things Stars Now
The cast may have left Hawkins together, but their careers took wildly different paths. Some landed runway gigs or joined billion-dollar franchises, while others struggled to stay in the spotlight.
Natalia Dyer
Natalia Dyer stepped outside her role as Nancy Wheeler to take on bolder, indie projects, such as Yes, God, Yes and Velvet Buzzsaw. Her rise in fashion media added visibility. However, a standout lead role remains the missing piece in her climb toward mainstream recognition.
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) Kill Count by Slasher In Suits
Shannon Purser
She followed up with appearances in Riverdale and starred in Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, but no new mainstream roles materialized. Awards chatter also cooled after the initial hype. Although Shannon Purser received an Emmy nod for a few episodes as Barb, that recognition didn't lead to sustained career momentum.
Ethel Performs "Who Will Love Me As I Am" - Riverdale 7x15 Scene by Kai Cooper
Jamie Campbell Bower
Jamie Campbell Bower was already recognizable from Harry Potter and Twilight, but his chilling performance as Vecna boosted his profile. His band Counterfeit disbanded in 2020, after which he pursued a solo career by releasing songs like Paralysed and launching a new band, BloodMagic, in 2024.
Jamie Bower - Paralysed (Live From The Alter) by Jamie Bower
Joe Keery
As Djo, Joe Keery dives into psychedelic pop to reveal a wildly different creative side. His film work in Spree and Fargo proves he's more than just a hair stylist. Everything traces back to Steve Harrington—the reluctant hero who made him a household name.
FARGO Season 5 Trailer (2023) Joe Keery, Juno Temple, Jon Hamm by ONE Media
Cara Buono
A veteran of Mad Men and The Sopranos, Cara Buono carried dramatic credibility into Hawkins. Playing Karen Wheeler added visibility, not velocity. Her appearances stayed consistent, but recent years haven't brought new acclaim or marquee roles. The industry seems content to let her remain quietly capable.
Mad Men - Don breaks up with Dr. Faye Miller by Throwaway Clips
Matthew Modine
As Dr Brenner in Stranger Things, Matthew Modine brought a cold intensity that left a lasting impression. After that role, he starred as Rick Singer in Netflix’s Operation Varsity Blues (2021), followed by Oppenheimer (2023), Hard Miles, and award-winning The Martini Shot.
What Happened To Rick Singer - Netflix Operation Varsity Blues by Movies Vibes
Priah Ferguson
On Stranger Things, Priah Ferguson shines as the sharp-witted Erica Sinclair. Since then, she’s voiced a lead in My Dad the Bounty Hunter and partnered with Bath & Body Works. While a major studio tentpole hasn’t arrived yet, her momentum and visibility continue to grow.
In the Booth with the Cast of My Dad The Bounty Hunter | Netflix by Still Watching Netflix
Joseph Quinn
Joseph Quinn delivered an unforgettable performance as Eddie Munson, who charmed fans with one iconic guitar solo. After Season 4, he landed roles in A Quiet Place: Day One and Marvel's Fantastic Four. He also appeared in Dior advertisements and became a favorite on late-night interviews.
Noah Schnapp
Though his acting credits haven't expanded much post-ST, Noah Schnapp hasn't faded from view. He co-founded TBH, an ethical snack brand, and began studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. Ironically, the actor behind missing Will Byers is making himself increasingly visible elsewhere.
Noah Schnapp x TBH - Brand Commercial (Behind The Scenes) by ADCUTIT
Brett Gelman
What makes Brett Gelman's brand of eccentricity so magnetic? Long before he delivered Murray Bauman's manic energy, he trained in Shakespeare and stand-up. That mix set him apart in roles across Fleabag and Without Remorse, where his unpredictability turned oddball into unforgettable.
Stranger Things' Brett Gelman In Fleabag | "Best" Bits by BBC Three
Paul Reiser
Paul Reiser might surprise younger viewers as Dr Owens, but his legacy goes back to Mad About You and Whiplash. He continues to appear in buzzy shows like The Boys, The Kominsky Method, Fosse/Verdon, and Reboot to maintain relevance in both comedy and sci-fi spaces.
Paul Meets Ursula Buffay | Mad About You by Throwback TV Clips
Eduardo Franco
While he hasn’t secured blockbuster leads, Franco keeps going. He voiced DJ Catnip in Gabby’s Dollhouse, which brought charm to the animated series. Then came a supporting turn in Self Reliance (2023), followed by a memorable part in Y2K (2024), though not as the lead.
Self Reliance | Official Trailer | Hulu by Hulu
Caleb McLaughlin
He voiced characters in Ultra City Smiths and has appeared in commercials and brand partnerships like Finish Line and American Eagle. His activism around social justice also stands out, and he recently starred in the film Shooting Stars, which showed continued momentum offscreen.
SHOOTING STARS Trailer (2023) Caleb McLaughlin, LeBron James Movie by ONE Media Coverage
Gaten Matarazzo
Gaten Matarazzo's Broadway return in Dear Evan Hansen demonstrated his vocal abilities, but it's his advocacy for cleidocranial dysplasia that has had a lasting impact. Besides that, Hosting Netflix's Prank Encounters has also kept him in the spotlight. Yet, fans still associate him most with the lovable Dustin.
PRANK ENCOUNTERS Official Trailer (2019) Gaten Matarazzo TV Show HD by ONE Media
Sean Astin
Before joining Stranger Things as Bob Newby, he'd already won over generations of fans. Sean Astin's roles in The Goonies and The Lord of the Rings defined his legacy. These days, he's kept busy with voice work and a string of Hallmark favorites.
scene finder bob newby [st] [HD] by dee
Charlie Heaton
Although his band Comanechi reveals impressive creative range, Charlie Heaton hasn't secured major mainstream roles beyond Stranger Things. His film, The New Mutants (2020), underperformed, and he has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. Yet, he remains best known as the introspective Jonathan Byers from Hawkins.
The New Mutants | Official Trailer | 20th Century FOX by 20th Century Studios
Matthew Cardarople
Keith, the awkward arcade guy, barely scratched the surface of Matthew Cardarople's resume. He has turned eccentricity into an art form through his roles in A Series of Unfortunate Events and Free Guy. His quirky online presence only deepens his cult-favorite status.
Free Guy - Cameos (1080p) by Alexey Maximov King
Cary Elwes
You've probably seen Cary Elwes even if you don't realize it. Though his recent roles include Mission: Impossible and BlackBerry, his legend was cemented by earlier hits like The Princess Bride and Saw. In Stranger Things, he appeared as the morally ambiguous Mayor Kline.
Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning: Reveal scene by Cyberspacepirate
Maya Hawke
Did you know that Maya Hawke voiced Anxiety in Inside Out 2 (2024)? Before that, she had joined Stranger Things in Season 3 as Robin Buckley and quickly became a fan favorite. Alongside acting, she has toured in support of her introspective albums, Blush and Moss.
Inside Out 2 | Booth To Screen by Pixar
Gabriella Pizzolo
Gabriella Pizzolo’s Season 3 duet with Dustin was unforgettable, and she did return in Season 4 as Suzie Bingham. Officially credited as a recurring character, she later portrayed Angela Waters in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and voiced characters in Butterbean’s Cafe, while continuing theater and indie work.
The Story of Angela Waters - Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin by Pretty Little Liars: Summer School
Finn Wolfhard
He's moved between recording music and animation in ways that defy easy categorization. Each project peels back another layer of his creativity. But at the root of it all, the launchpad for everything that followed, was his breakout role in Stranger Things as Mike Wheeler.
Finn Wolfhard - Objection! (Official Music Video) by Finn Wolfhard
David Harbour
A Critics' Choice win and major nominations followed his rise in Stranger Things. Marvel tapped him for Black Widow, and he brought sharp wit to Violent Night. Still, nothing resonates like Hopper—his breakout role in ST. In 2020, he married musician and singer Lily Allen.
BLACK WIDOW Clip - "It Still Fits" + Trailer (2021) David Harbour by JoBlo Movie Clips
Sadie Sink
After Stranger Things, Sadie Sink's spotlight only brightened. She stunned critics in Darren Aronofsky's The Whale, then delivered emotional weight in Taylor Swift's All Too Well. But her journey started much earlier—on Broadway at just ten. TIME 100 Next eventually recognized her growing cultural impact.
Sadie Sink & Darren Aronofsky Break Down 'The Whale' Scene | Vanity Fair by Vanity Fair
Winona Ryder
A two-time Oscar nominee, she is associated with classics such as Beetlejuice and Little Women. Though always iconic—from Heathers to Girl, Interrupted—her momentum had cooled. Stranger Things reignited her fame, and her role as Joyce Byers felt like a long-awaited return to form.
Beetlejuice (3/9) Movie CLIP - You Guys Really Are Dead (1988) HD by Movieclips
Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown’s breakout as Eleven launched her stardom, but she didn’t stop there. She founded a production company, earned $10 million for Enola Holmes 2, and became a UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2018. In 2024, she married Jake Bongiovi in a private ceremony.
Millie Bobby Brown Reacts to Enola Holmes 2 Bloopers | Netflix by Still Watching Netflix
