Netflix Confirms 13 Original ‘Stranger Things’ Actors Are Returning in Brand-New Project

Stranger Things may have officially ended with its fifth and final season, but that was just the flagship live-action series — Netflix isn’t finished with Hawkins and the Upside Down just yet.

An untitled live-action spinoff is in development, with the Season 5 finale providing a major clue about its story, as the mystery is said to center on the alien rock found inside a briefcase by young Henry Creel — the object that ultimately became connected to his transformation into Vecna.

Then there’s Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the stage production that explores Henry Creel’s early life in 1959. Netflix filmed the Broadway production earlier this year for a future streaming release, although a release date has not yet been announced.

Meanwhile, the stage play is also getting the comic-book treatment. Dark Horse Books is publishing a graphic novel adaptation of The First Shadow in January 2027, bringing the story of young Henry Creel, Joyce Byers, Jim Hopper, and Bob Newby to the page.

A New Stranger Things Season Is Coming

Last but not least, the franchise has already continued through Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, the animated series set between the events of seasons 2 and 3.

The first season brought back the original characters with an entirely new voice cast, and now Season 2 is just around the corner. Watch the official trailer below:

So, Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Max, Hopper, Steve, and Nancy are all back — just not with the actors who played them in live action. Instead, the same animated performers from Season 1 are returning.

Here’s everyone who’s back, who they play, who portrayed those characters in the flagship Stranger Things series, and whether we could ever see the original actors return to the franchise.

Brooklyn Davey Norstedt — Eleven

In the original live-action series, telekinetic teen Eleven was played by Millie Bobby Brown, who became one of the biggest stars in the world through the role. Brown’s Eleven was at the heart of Stranger Things for five seasons, although her ultimate fate was deliberately left ambiguous.

Now, Brooklyn Davey Norstedt returns as Eleven/Jane Hopper after debuting in Tales From ’85 Season 1.

Luca Diaz — Mike Wheeler

Luca Diaz returns as Mike Wheeler, the leader of the original group of Hawkins kids.

Finn Wolfhard played Mike in the flagship series, with the character effectively serving as the anchor of the Hawkins gang.

Jolie Hoang-Rappaport — Max Mayfield

Jolie Hoang-Rappaport is returning as Max Mayfield, who was played by Sadie Sink (Spider-Man: Brand New Day) in the original live-action series, a character introduced in Season 2 who eventually became one of the central members of the Hawkins gang.

Braxton Quinney — Dustin Henderson

Braxton Quinney returns as Dustin Henderson, a role played by Gaten Matarazzo throughout all five seasons of the original series, with the character remaining one of the show’s most popular comic relief figures while also becoming increasingly important to the mythology.

Elisha “EJ” Williams — Lucas Sinclair

Elisha “EJ” Williams is back as Lucas Sinclair. Caleb McLaughlin portrayed Lucas in the flagship series, from the very first episode through the finale, eventually becoming Max’s devoted boyfriend.

Ben Plessala — Will Byers

Ben Plessala returns as Will Byers. In live action, Noah Schnapp played Will, whose disappearance in Season 1 effectively kicked off the entire Stranger Things story.

Odessa A’zion — Nikki Baxter

Odessa A’zion is also returning as Nikki Baxter. Unlike the other characters on this list, Nikki wasn’t part of the original live-action series. She’s one of the new characters introduced specifically for Tales From ’85, meaning there is no live-action Stranger Things actor waiting in the wings to reprise her.

Brett Gipson — Jim Hopper

Brett Gipson returns as Jim Hopper, the role famously played by David Harbour in the flagship series. Strangely, though, Winona Ryder’s character Joyce Byers — Hopper’s on-screen partner in crime — has yet to appear in Tales From ’85.

Jeremy Jordan — Steve Harrington

Jeremy Jordan is back as Steve Harrington. Joe Keery played Steve in the main series, going from stereotypical popular teenager to one of the most beloved characters in the entire franchise. Like many other actors in Tales From ’85, Jordan sounds a great deal like his live-action counterpart.

Griffin Burns — Jonathan Byers

In Tales From ’85 Season 1, Jonathan Byers, who was brought to life by Charlie Heaton in live action, is voiced by Griffin Burns. However, as yet, Netflix has not confirmed that Burns is returning for the second season.

Alessandra Antonelli — Nancy Wheeler

Finally, Alessandra Antonelli returns as Nancy Wheeler. Natalia Dyer played Nancy throughout the original series, with the character becoming one of Hawkins’ most determined investigators.

Per Netflix Tudum, other returning actors reprising their roles as lesser-known characters from Season 1 are Janeane Garofalo as Anna Baxter, Valeria Rodriguez as Rosario, and Jack Griffo as Jeff.

Could the Live-Action Stranger Things Cast Return?

For now, there is no officially announced live-action sequel bringing the original Stranger Things cast back together. With that said, there are rumors surrounding Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard appearing in an undisclosed spinoff project, but Netflix has not confirmed anything yet.

For now, Tales From ’85 is the only Stranger Things series continuing the television side of the franchise, and it will return with Season 2 on September 17, 2026.

Season 1 is now streaming in full on Netflix. Stranger Things seasons 1–5 are also available to watch.

Have you watched Tales From ’85 yet? Are you excited for another season? Let us know in the comments below!