Buckle up, because the behind-the-scenes world of Stranger Things is just as fascinating as the show itself. With a cast list as diverse as an ’80s mixtape, there’s no shortage of cool tidbits and BTS info!
First off, can you imagine Stranger Things without Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven or Finn Wolfhard as Mike? It’s wild to think that the entire cast, Sadie Sink (Max), Noah Schnapp (Will), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), and Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), could’ve been different if Netflix hadn’t seen the gold in the Duffer Brothers’ pitch. Despite early rejections, Netflix was all in, giving us the iconic group of friends (and foes) battling the Upside Down.
Speaking of the Upside Down, the eerie, alternate dimension was a massive undertaking for the crew, creating a world that was both a nightmare and a visual masterpiece. The makeup team, costume departments and special effects team, worked tirelessly to bring the Demogorgons and Vecna to life, with Jamie Campbell Bower’s transformation into Vecna (in Season 4) being a standout. Bower spent up to 7 hours a day in the makeup chair to become the terrifying villain.
Cast and Filming Location: Bringing Hawkins to Life
David Harbour (Hopper), Winona Ryder (Joyce), and Natalia Dyer (Nancy), along with Charlie Heaton (Jonathan) and Joe Keery (Steve), brought heart to the adult side of the story. Meanwhile, newer additions Maya Hawke (Robin), Joseph Quinn (Eddie Munson), and Priah Ferguson (Erica) quickly became fan favorites, showcasing the show’s knack for evolving and introducing awesome new characters.
One of the cooler bts (behind-the-scenes) facts involves the various locations and sets, like the Hawkins Lab in Indiana or the roller rink scenes, all shot in and around Atlanta, Georgia. The attention to detail in creating the ’80s vibe, from the costumes to the sets, was critical in transporting audiences back in time. The cast and crew have shared countless pics on social media, giving fans a peek into filming. From Will’s birthday party to sharing big scenes or stunts, Twitter and Instagram have been goldmines for BTS content.
Freddy Krueger and a Classic 80’s Soundtrack
And who could forget the final episode of each Stranger Things season? With the stakes always high, Max, Lucas, Steve, Jonathan, and the ever-resilient Joyce face off against threats from the Upside Down, with each season finale leaving fans desperate for more.
Robert Englund’s cameo as Victor Creel brought a new level of horror pedigree to the show, linking the nightmare-inducing energy of Stranger Things with Englund’s iconic role as Freddy Krueger. This casting choice was a dream (or nightmare) come true for horror fans.
The show’s soundtrack helped define key moments, from epic battles against the Demogorgon to navigating the evil within Hawkins Lab under the watchful eye of Matthew Modine’s “Papa.” Each episodes original score, composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, played a pivotal role in setting the tone and 80’s authenticity.
Stranger Things: Behind the Scenes
Let’s dive into some of the lesser-known, behind-the-scenes goodies from the show Stranger Things. The show, with its mix of 80s nostalgia, horror, and adventure, has a lot going on behind the camera that adds to its magic.
First up, did you know about the Montauk connection? Initially, Stranger Things was supposed to be set in Montauk, New York, and even be called Montauk. The creators, Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, were inspired by the real-life Montauk Project conspiracy theory, which is like catnip for fans of the paranormal and unexplained. They ended up changing the setting to the fictional Hawkins, Indiana, for a variety of logistical reasons, including the hassle of shooting in winter in the Northeast.
Speaking of inspirations, the show’s opening title sequence is a nod to the 80’s in both look and feel, and it was created by a design firm called Imaginary Forces. They looked at old Stephen King book covers for inspiration, hoping to capture that eerie yet compelling vibe. The font they used, ITC Benguiat, is the same one you’ll see on the cover of Choose Your Own Adventure books and some Stephen King novels.
Stranger Things: The Hit Show that Almost Wasn’t
Believe it or not, before it became the monster hit we all know and love, Stranger Things was rejected not once, not twice, but a whopping 15 times by different networks. Yeah, you heard that right. The Duffer Brothers faced a whole lot of “Nope, not interested” before they struck gold with Netflix.
When the Duffer Brothers first pitched the show, they had this vision of a love letter to the ’80s, filled with all the sci-fi, supernatural elements, and government conspiracy vibes that decade adored. However, networks just couldn’t see the vision. They couldn’t wrap their heads around a show that centered on a group of kids leading the charge, thinking it would only appeal to a younger audience and not grab the attention of adults.
Some networks even suggested that they ditch the whole kids’ angle and focus on Hopper’s character investigating the paranormal activity in Hawkins. But the Duffers were like, “Nah, that’s not our show.” They stuck to their guns, believing in the unique mix of horror, adventure, and nostalgia, all seen through the eyes of these incredibly relatable kids.
Finally, Netflix came into the picture and was like, “This is exactly the kind of original, genre-bending story we’re looking for.” They saw the potential for a cross-generational hit that could tap into both the nostalgia of adults and the adventure-loving hearts of younger viewers. And boy, were they right. Stranger Things exploded onto the scene in 2016, becoming a cultural phenomenon and proving all those other networks wrong.
It’s a classic tale of perseverance and staying true to your creative vision, even when door after door gets slammed in your face. The Duffer Brothers’ refusal to compromise on their vision for Stranger Things not only paid off in spades but also changed the landscape of television by showing that there’s a massive appetite for well-told stories that blend genres and age groups. Who’s laughing now, right?
Casting Nuggets: Millie and Gaten
Before Millie Bobby Brown became Eleven, the role could have gone to someone very different. The Duffer Brothers saw around 300 girls for the part! It was Millie’s powerful audition, where she cried on cue, that clinched her the role. And here’s a kicker – she almost didn’t go to the audition because she had a bad experience with a previous one that day.
Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin, brought something of his own to the character. Gaten has cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition that affects the development of bones and teeth. The Duffer Brothers decided to write his condition into the character of Dustin, making it a part of his charm and backstory, rather than ignoring it.
Joe Keery: From Near Exit to Fan-Favorite Hero
Joe Keery, aka Steve Harrington, with that unforgettable hair and the unexpected hero arc in Stranger Things, eventually became a fan favorite. Here’s a little nugget of behind-the-scenes gold: Joe wasn’t initially slated to be the beloved character throughout the entire series. Yeah, Steve Harrington, the babysitter extraordinaire and bat-wielding badass, almost had a much shorter run.
Originally, Steve was more of a stereotypical ’80s bully without much of a redemption storyline. However, Joe Keery’s charm and the way he portrayed Steve won over not just the audience but also the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers. They saw something special in the way Joe brought Steve to life, which led them to expand his role and evolve his character.
The decision to keep Steve around and give him more depth is a prime example of how an actor’s portrayal can completely flip the script—literally. Steve’s character development from a high school jerk to a protective, caring figure is one of the best transformations in the series. Joe Keery’s casting in Stranger Things ended up being a key element of the show’s success, making Steve Harrington a name (and hairdo) we won’t soon forget.
Dungeons & Dandelions
Another cool fact is about the Upside Down. The creepy, alternate dimension was inspired by the Vale of Shadows from Dungeons & Dragons. The Duffer Brothers are big fans of D&D, and its influence is all over the show. The Upside Down’s eerie, floating spores were made using practical effects, not CGI. They used dandelion seeds and filmed them floating in the air to create that otherworldly look.
Lastly, the monster sounds, particularly the Demogorgon’s chilling noises, were made by a guy named David Brown. He used a variety of techniques to create these sounds, including processing his own voice and manipulating the sounds of animals and other organic sources. It’s part of what makes the Demogorgon so terrifyingly unique.
Natalia and Charlie: A Real-Life Hawkins Love Story
Alright, here’s the scoop on Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton. So, these two, who play Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers on the show, aren’t just a couple on screen but also in real life. Talk about art imitating life, right?
They’ve kept things pretty low-key, but it’s been known for a while that they’re an item off-screen. Rumors about them dating started swirling around 2016, not too long after the show first aired. It seems like the creepy, mysterious vibes of Hawkins brought them together, or maybe it was just their incredible on-screen chemistry that spilled over into real life.
Natalia and Charlie made it official and public when they hit the red carpet together in 2017. Since then, they’ve been spotted out and about, but they’ve always kept the details of their relationship under wraps. They’re not the type to blast their personal life all over social media or the tabloids. Instead, they’ve managed to strike this sweet balance of sharing little bits here and there while maintaining their privacy.
What’s cool about them is how they support each other’s work, both on Stranger Things and in their individual projects. They’ve talked in interviews about how much they respect each other as actors, which is pretty adorable.
So, to sum it up, Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton are a couple of low-key lovebirds who met on the set of one of the biggest shows of the decade. They keep things private, but it’s clear they’re totally into each other. It’s always fun to see co-stars turn into real-life partners, especially when they seem as down-to-earth as these two.
Season 5: The Final Chapter Begins
The Duffer Brothers have been pretty tight-lipped about Stranger Things Season 5, but they’ve dropped a few hints here and there to keep us on our toes. They’ve mentioned that this final season is gonna be a tearjerker, so maybe keep a box of tissues handy. The focus is on wrapping up the story in a satisfying way, tying up all those loose ends and giving our favorite characters the send-off they deserve.
They’ve also talked about how Season 5 is going to be a bit different from the previous ones. Without giving too much away, they’ve hinted at it being more intense, with high stakes for everyone involved. And, given the way Season 4 ended, that’s saying something! There’s talk of the season being heavily influenced by their original inspirations and bringing the story full circle, focusing on the core group of characters that fans have grown to love over the years.
The Duffer Brothers seem really committed to giving Stranger Things the epic conclusion it deserves. Season 5 began shooting a few months ago in Atlanta, according to a photo that went viral on Instagram, showing the entire cast of Stranger Things reunited on set. Phew, finally… the wait is over!
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