The epic conclusion to Netflix's groundbreaking series Stranger Things has officially begun, with the highly anticipated fifth and final season launching its first volume on November 27, 2025. As Hawkins prepares for its ultimate confrontation with the Upside Down, the show introduces several new faces who join the original cast in this final chapter.
Meet the New Characters Joining the Battle
Volume 1 of Stranger Things 5 premiered on November 27, 2025, with the remaining episodes scheduled to debut on December 26 and December 31, 2025. This release strategy builds maximum anticipation as viewers witness the final battle for Hawkins unfold across these key dates.
Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay: The New Scientific Authority
Veteran actress Linda Hamilton makes her dramatic entrance into the Stranger Things universe as Dr. Kay, a military scientist spearheading the government's investigation into the mysterious Upside Down. According to creators Matt and Ross Duffer, her character effectively fills the void left by Dr. Martin Brenner's death in Season 4.
Hamilton's debut in Chapter One: The Crawl immediately establishes her character's significance. In a memorable scene, she conducts a dissection of an Upside Down creature and calmly notes that it "does strangle." The Duffer brothers revealed that her casting was directly inspired by her iconic role in the Terminator film series, bringing that same powerful presence to Stranger Things.
Nell Fisher Takes on the Role of Holly Wheeler
Actress Nell Fisher steps into the important role of Holly Wheeler, the younger sister of fan favorites Mike and Nancy Wheeler. Fisher brings impressive credentials to the part, having previously appeared in Evil Dead Rise (2023) and the 2024 comedy Bookworm, where she shared the screen with Elijah Wood.
In Season 5, Holly becomes Vecna's first visible target, marking a significant escalation in the threat level facing Hawkins. Though the character suffers abduction during the season, Holly Wheeler survives the ordeal—at least through the initial episodes.
Additional Newcomers and Military Presence
Thirteen-year-old Jake Connelly joins the cast as Derek Turnbow, having been officially cast in July 2024. The young actor portrays Holly Wheeler's classmate and expressed his excitement about joining the series through an Instagram post, writing that he felt "so excited and honoured to be in Hawkins and to join the awesome cast."
Speaking to Netflix's Tudum platform, Connelly described his character as "a bit spoiled and kind of a bully," but added an important nuance: "deep down, I think he is really a good person."
Alex Breaux completes the new cast additions as Lt. Robert Akers, characterized as a "henchman" working under Dr. Kay. Breaux brings prior experience with the Stranger Things universe, having previously portrayed a young Martin Brenner in the Tony Award-winning Broadway production Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Creator Ross Duffer emphasized the significance of the military storyline, stating: "We have a full military presence in Hawkins, and it's under quarantine." He added intriguing context: "I will say, of course, the military is doing stuff in the Upside Down, but it really is a mystery to our characters and the audience at the beginning of the show."
As the final season progresses toward its December 2025 conclusion, these new characters will play crucial roles in determining Hawkins' fate and the ultimate outcome of the battle against the Upside Down's terrifying forces.
