Set against the eerie backdrop of the Upside Down, Stranger Things has long captivated viewers with its nostalgic charm, secrets and mysteries. It is bursting with peculiar plot points, immersing viewers in a bewildering world where supernatural occurrences are pitted alongside dark conspiracies and enigmas.
But that’s not all. Born out of this supernatural world is a cast of unforgettable characters, each bringing unique strengths, quirks, and personality to this much-loved series. From Eleven’s telekinetic powers to Dustin’s endearing humour, each character brings something special to the Stranger Things story, cementing its status as one of the most popular shows on Netflix.
But what sets these characters apart, and why do they resonate with us so deeply? Find out which Stranger Things character you identify with the most as Toys for a Pound dive into the ins and outs of the best Stranger Things characters.
Table of contents
- Firstly, what is Stranger Things about?
- When is Stranger Things Season 5 coming out?
- The cast of Stranger Things
- Who is Vecna?
- Who is the most liked character in Stranger Things?
- Stranger Things at Toys for a Pound
Firstly, what is Stranger Things about?
Set in the 1980s, Stranger Things is a nostalgic coming-of-age series that revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a young boy, Will Byers. The story follows Will’s friends and family as they search for him. However, as the series unfolds, their search is plagued by supernatural phenomena, government conspiracies, and a parallel dimension known as the “Upside Down”, an otherworldly place inhabited by menacing creatures and dark forces.
The Stranger Things cast confronts the suspense and horrors born out of the “Upside Down”, and viewers watch in suspense as these young characters work together to protect their town and loved ones.
When is Stranger Things season 5 coming out?
Stranger Things season 5 has no confirmed release date, with filming delayed due to the WGA strike. However, rumours suggest the new season could land as early as 2024. Much to fan's dismay, season 5 will be the final season of Stranger Things!
Which Stranger Things character are you?
It’s no secret that Stranger Things’ cast of well-defined characters is behind the show’s success, with viewers becoming emotionally invested in their journeys and personal development. But which Stranger Things character resonates with you the most, and which one do you share personality and values with? Find out with our unranked list of the best Stranger Things characters!
Will
Will is the boy who goes missing in the first season of Stranger Things, a plot point which acts as a catalyst for the show’s suspenseful storyline. While his disappearance forms most of what we know about Will, we also know that he is a creative child with a wild imagination to match. What’s more, his friend group's unrivalled determination to find him speaks volumes about how valued his friendship is to others.
Mike Wheeler
Mike is a natural leader, which often sees him at the forefront of the series’ supernatural quests, navigating the way through threatening occurrences with quick-thinking and objective decision-making skills. However, Will is most known for his determination and loyalty, particularly when protecting his best friends. He forms a strong bond with Eleven, and their relationship is a key aspect of the series, seeing his influence play an instrumental part in Eleven’s character development.
Mike is central to the Stranger Things storyline, and his protective nature and loyalty to his friends showcase his resilience in the face of hair-raising challenges.
Dustin
Dustin is most known for his endearing humour, personality and quick wit. He’s a loyal friend and often lightens the mood during the show’s darkest moments. Moreover, his adventurous spirit is key to leading the group through some of the Upside Down’s most critical moments.
Eleven
Out of all the Stranger Things characters, Eleven arguably has the most growth. She is first introduced to viewers as a young girl who escaped a secret government laboratory. However, she soon becomes a central figure in the story, forming a close bond with the group searching for their missing friend, Will.
At first, this young girl with psychokinetic abilities is portrayed as an outsider with weird, sometimes eerie, personality traits. However, she soon becomes one of the most loved Stranger Things characters, growing up into a woman searching for her true purpose amidst the chaos around her. Her story and meaningful connections with other characters have made her one of the most popular Stranger Things characters ever.
Max
Introduced in Stranger Things season 2, Max arrives in Hawkins as a new student from California. Despite her quiet nature, she is fiercely independent, courageous, and unafraid of speaking her mind, though she often keeps to herself. As the series progresses, Max becomes the first female member of the main friend group, eventually becoming one of the, if not the main, characters in the entire show. Her determination and courageous spirit offer a fresh dynamic in every episode.
Lucas
Lucas’s first on-screen appearance is at 12, playing Dungeon & Dragons with his best friends Mike, Dustin and Will. However, as fans of the show know, Will never made it home that night – and Lucas is part of the group that embarks upon the extensive search for their lost friend.
Lucas is extremely practical and sceptical, leading him to be immediately suspicious of new group member Eleven. However, despite various controversies, he remains fiercely loyal to his friends.
Steve
Played by Joe Keery, Steve initially starts as a typical high school “bad boy”. He is confident, popular, and carefree, often putting his social life and circle before other concerns. However, as Stranger Things progresses, Steve undergoes significant character development, becoming a selfless, brave friend whose friendship plays a pivotal role in the lives of various characters around him.
Though we might not like Steve when he is first introduced to the series, his character development sees him become one of the show's most beloved and relatable characters!
Jim Hopper
Jim is the town’s chief of police, renowned for his protective instincts and complicated backstory. After a divorce and the loss of his daughter, he is a somewhat jaded character with a hard exterior that he often covers up with a dry sense of humour. However, beneath it all is a warm, welcoming heart, and Jim eventually becomes someone other characters look up to and lean on during difficult times.
Robin
Intelligent, analytical and resourceful, Robin is an invaluable Stranger Things friendship group member. She is a skilled communicator and code-breaker with an impressive knack for unravelling the mysteries of the Upside Down. She also has a sharp and sarcastic sense of humour, injecting some much-needed comedic relief into some of the show's most tense moments.
Eddie
Eddie Munson is a high school student at Hawkins High School who has been held back from graduating twice. However, while he may not take school seriously, he does take his role as Dungeon Master of the school's Hellfire DnD club seriously. Eddie is unapologetically individual and nonconformist, with a bitter humour to match. However, he is incredibly loyal to his close friends and takes pride in his eccentricity and individualism!
Jonathan Byers
Jonathan is a soft, sensitive, intelligent teenager who plays a vital role in the show's story. When his brother Will goes missing in season one, Jonathan’s unwillingness to give up on his search leads to the discovery of the Upside Down. This, alongside various other supernatural threats, gives way to Jonathan's unwavering commitment to protecting his town, friends, and family.
Jonathan is most known for his deep sense of empathy, alongside his unwavering loyalty and support for his loved ones, particularly Nancy Wheeler, whom he develops feelings for as the show progresses.
However, one of Jonathan's main strengths is his keen eye for detail, often reflected in his photography. Jonathan often captures the truth behind mysterious happenings using his camera, making him a reliable ally in the face of Hawkins' supernatural threats!
Joyce
Joyce, played by Winona Ryder, is Will and Jonathan Byers’ mother. She later becomes Eleven’s foster mother and takes on a maternal role for many of the supporting characters in the series. She is determined and unwavering in her quest to find her missing son, Will, even when faced with dark, supernatural forces.
Joyce is always hard-working and is someone other characters can trust. Despite being wrapped up in her problems, she is always there for other characters. As the series unfolds, viewers experience Joyces’ more comedic side. Her magnetic presence adds charm and character to every scene, making her one of the most popular Stranger Things characters.
Murray
Introduced in the second season of Stranger Things, Murray is an avid conspiracy theorist who specialises in unravelling government conspiracies. He is a highly intelligent chief investigator, and his talent for demystifying the mysteries of Hawkins is crucial to the group's success.
Erica
Renowned for her sassy personality, Erica is a character who is never afraid to speak her mind despite her young age. She is as smart as she is sassy, and is the first to call people out when circumstances demand it. Most kids her age would struggle to keep up with Erica’s witty sense of humour, so she fits right in with her older posse of friends!
Dr Alexei
Dr Alexei is introduced to viewers in season three of Stranger Things, and viewers loved him right from the start. Despite his delayed entrance, he quickly becomes a key ally to the main friendship group, stealing viewers' hearts in a fashion not every character can. Despite his limited understanding of English, he is a curious, skilled, and highly intelligent scientist who is key to navigating the group's understanding of the Upside Down.
Nancy Wheeler
Nancy Wheeler has always been a goody-two-shoes, earning top grades in school while eagerly following the rules by the book. However, this all disappears when she meets Steve, the show’s notorious high school bad boy.
Despite her compliant, reserved nature, Nancy is extremely feisty and determined. These traits and her intelligence and ability to navigate tricky situations make her an invaluable asset against the supernatural forces born from the Upside Down.
Bob
Bob is one of the ultimate comfort characters in Stranger Things. He is unabashedly nerdy, kind and compassionate, and genuinely cares for the well-being of those around him. He also knows a lot about technology and tries his best to use this strength to help people. He is the person we all want to be when we grow up and a truly lovable character!
Billy
William “Billy” Hargrove is a Stranger Things bad boy. He boasts all the classic bad boy traits, appearing charming, irresponsible, and irresistible. However, he is much more sinister underneath and is initially renowned for his abusive behaviour and arrogant nature.
Billy feels most alive in high-risk situations and often indulges in thrill-seeking circumstances with little regard for others. However, his character sees much development throughout the series, with his last appearance seeing him make a heroic sacrifice to save Eleven – showing that perhaps, underneath it all. Billy isn’t so bad after all.
Who is Vecna?
Vecna, alias Henry Creel, is the main antagonist in the Stranger Things series. He is also referred to as the Mind Flayer, referring to his mysterious ability to control the supernatural dimension, the Upside Down. Vecna’s overarching goal is to conquer the world and all its inhabitants, driven by his evil desire to reshape and recreate life in his warped vision.
However, Vecna wasn’t always this way – and as a child, he is presented as a conscientious young boy who struggled to fit in due to his psychic abilities. But this soon developed into uncontrollable rage and sadness, leading him to transform into Vecna and abuse his powers rather than use them for good.
Stranger Things at Toys for a Pound
Stranger Things is one of the most popular series on Netflix, and its extraordinary cast of characters is behind the show's success. We've watched as they've battled supernatural occurrences, navigated government conspiracies, and challenged their beliefs, slowly becoming our on-screen heroes.
What's more, as we've delved deeper into our list of the best Stranger Things characters, it's become abundantly clear that they are the heart and soul of the series, and it's impossible not to resonate with them as we join them on their journeys.
So, which Stranger Things character are you? Maybe you resonate with Steve's unexpected heroism or Mike's endless devotion to his friends. Or, perhaps, it’s Steve's transformation from bad boy to loyal friend, Eleven's determination, or Bob's caring nature.
With season 5 in the pipeline, we can't wait to see what the future has in store for our favourite characters!
At Toys for a Pound, we're proud to stock high-quality toys from industry-leading franchises, including the sought-after toy characters from all your favourite shows. Explore our figures, dolls and vehicles collection to find your favourites today!
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