Shocking Character Exits: Who's Really Gone From Stranger Things Season 5?

Summary

Some loved characters won’t return in Stranger Things season 5 due to scheduling conflicts or storyline conclusions.
Filming ended in December 2024, and the final showdown is set to premiere in Q4 2025, so fans have a long wait ahead.
Speculations arose about character absences like Suzie hinting at their non-return based on cast photos and leaked information.

Stranger Things season 5 is going to conclude the hit Netflix series, and fans are all set to watch the Hawkins kids face their biggest battle yet. However, the story is most probably going to go on without a few side characters, even some who were most loved in their respective seasons.

For some of these characters, their arcs have reached an end, and for others, it was probably behind-the-scenes decisions that caused them not to be a part of the Stranger Things season 5 cast. And for fans who are wondering, “When is Stranger Things season 5 coming out?”, there’s good news! Filming was completed in December 2024, and the final showdown is expected to premiere in Q4 2025.

6. Claudia Henderson (Catherine Curtin)

Won’t Be Returning Due To Scheduling Conflicts

First Appeared: Season
Last Appeared: Season 4

Stranger Things 5 news has confirmed that actress Catherine Curtin won’t be reprising her role as Claudia Henderson (Dustin’s mom) due to scheduling conflicts. Fans love how she interacts with Dustin, and her quirky yet warm nature adds some normalcy to the chaos.

At the time, she was filming Saturday Night, a movie about SNL’s premiere in 1975 – the reason why she wasn’t able to be a part of the Stranger Things 5 cast. Although lovers of the show will miss seeing her with Dustin, the actress has assured them that the final season is absolutely worth the long wait.

5. Dmitri Antonov (Tom Wlaschiha)

His Storyline Seems To Be Wrapped Up

First Appeared: Season 4
Last Appeared: Season 4

Played by actor Tom Wlaschiha, Dmitri was an important character in Stranger Things season 4; however, it seems like his storyline was wrapped up in the same season. Dmitri helped Hopper escape and return to America, but he chose to stay behind, making it very unlikely for him to be a part of the final season.

The upcoming installment is going to focus heavily on Hawkins and the battle against Vecna, so there’s no real reason for the plot to go back to Russia. All that fans can do is wait for the Stranger Things 5 release date to be announced, but for now, it seems like Wlaschiha’s journey with the franchise has come to an end.

4. Argyle (Eduardo Franco)

Never Received A Call To Reprise His Role

First Appeared: Season 4
Last Appeared: Season 4

Eduardo France has made it clear that he won’t be featured in the cast of Stranger Things 5. Despite being a prominent character in season 4, he shared during an appearance on the Steve Varley Show that he didn’t get a call to rejoin the show, saying, “I never received a phone call, so it appears that’s the situation.

Although only one Stranger Things 5 poster featuring Eleven has been released so far, a black and white cast photo shared by Netflix makes it evident that the series will move forward without Argyle and his comedic presence.

3. Suzie Bingham (Gabriela Pizzolo)

Absence From The Cast Photo Hints At No Return

First Appeared: Season 3
Last Appeared: Season 4

If there’s one scene that fans can’t get out of their heads, it’s the duet between Dustin and Suzie – some couldn’t get enough of the cuteness, while others said that it was the very reason Hopper went missing. Nonetheless, they were glad that they got to see a little more of Suzie Bingham in season 4.

Gabriela Pizzolo, the actress who plays Suzie, is another character who isn’t present in the Stranger Things 5 cast photo, and this most probably means that she won’t be in the final season. Those who ship the couple still remain hopeful and are waiting until the Stranger Things season 5 release date to see if Dustin’s “Suzie Poo” will make a surprise appearance.

2. Kali Prasad aka Eight (Linnea Berthelsen)

Her Storyline Has Been Sidelined Since Season 2

First Appeared: Season 2
Last Appeared: Season 2

Kali, also known as Eight, is a sister figure to Eleven and is played by actress Linnea Berthelsen. Like a few other characters mentioned above, she was also missing from the official cast photo. Fans of the show have been eagerly awaiting her comeback since season 2, but her storyline has been abandoned since then.

Of course, it is going to be very challenging for the Duffer Brothers to satisfy every group of fans’ wishes, making it very unlikely for a character who has been missing this long to be back in the finale. Still, it isn’t entirely impossible for her to return – she may just be back with the other Hawkins Lab test subjects to help Eleven fight Vecna (at least fans hope so).

1. Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn)

A Leaked Photo Of Dustin By Eddie’s Grave Has Surfaced Online

First Appeared: Season 4
Last Appeared: Season 4

As a devoted movie critic, I must clarify that, despite the passionate speculations of die-hard Eddie Munson fans, his resurrection appears to be highly unlikely. Leaked behind-the-scenes photos suggest that Dustin is seen visiting Eddie’s grave, which strongly hints at the fact that he won’t make a comeback in the final season.

Plus, Joseph Quinn was also missing from the cast photo released by Netflix – another reason for fans not to get their hopes up. With Eddie’s guitar solo and heartbreaking sacrifice fresh on every viewer’s mind, the Duffer Brothers just may find a way to honor his death on-screen, even if he isn’t alive.

2025-03-16 21:56

Shocking Character Exits: Who’s Really Gone From Stranger Things Season 5?