If you are anything like me, you are probably already feeling a little bittersweet about the final season of Stranger Things. It is hard to believe that this show, which first grabbed our attention with its mysterious disappearance and a girl named Eleven, is almost over. We have seen these kids grow up right before our eyes. As season 5 gets closer, more details are coming out, giving us a taste of what is to come. There are some surprises, some lingering questions, and even some amazing news about the young actors who bring Hawkins to life.
One bit of news that recently made me smile was about Priah Ferguson. She plays the sarcastic and fearless Erica Sinclair. Priah just graduated from high school! Can you believe it? She is only 18. She posted on Instagram about this big moment. It is really cool to see these young stars balancing huge careers with normal life experiences. Priah mentioned how most people are surprised she stayed in public school her whole life. The show was even filmed in her hometown.
She talked about how challenging it was to balance her acting career, both on and off screen, while keeping good grades and still growing up. She called it a "unique journey." I completely agree with her. It takes a lot to stay grounded when you are part of such a big show. She wants to live a real life. This has helped make her a well-rounded young woman. She is very grateful for her family, friends, and teachers who helped her get here. She also shared a message for her fellow graduates. "Class of 2025 — no matter your story, you made it!" It is a great reminder that even with Hollywood calling, some things are just important life experiences.
Priah Ferguson's Big Graduation Day And Her Thoughts On Stranger Things Ending
How A Young Star Balances Hollywood Success With Everyday High School Life
Priah’s post included a selfie video of her wearing her cap and gown in the car. It had her yearbook photo and even clips from her graduation ceremony. She gave a speech as the vice president of her senior class. She then received her diploma. In her speech, she said, "Although life has a way to often break us down, we must rise up to the realities of our destiny." It is a powerful message for someone so young. It really shows her maturity.
For those who remember, Priah joined Stranger Things in season 2. She quickly became a fan favorite as Lucas Sinclair’s equally snarky younger sister. Her comments about the final season are also worth noting. Last August, she teased that the show's finale will bring the story to a close "in such an epic way." She added that the dynamic this season is great. She also said it might be "a little bittersweet" because it could be their last time working together. It could also be their last time seeing each other or working on such a big show. This really drives home how much the show means to its cast members. It also makes me wonder how emotional the final episodes will be for them and for us.
The main cast for season 5 includes many familiar faces. Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, and Brett Gelman are all set to return. Cara Buono and Jamie Campbell Bower are also in the mix. Plus, Linda Hamilton, known for her role in the Terminator franchise, has joined the cast for season 5. Her role is a secret for now, but I am excited to see what she brings to Hawkins.
Netflix Viewership Surprises And A Lingering Eleven Mystery For The Final Season
Another Series Overtakes Stranger Things 4 In Views, And A Nine-Year-Old Question Needs An Answer
In other news, a limited series called Adolescence is about to become Netflix’s second most-watched English-language series of all time. This is a bit of a shock. This series has been very successful since its release in March. It is now close to beating Stranger Things 4 in viewership. ST4 had 140.7 million views in its first 91 days. Adolescence is almost there with 140.2 million views in 75 days. There is still time left in its 91-day window for it to keep growing. It is clear that Adolescence will not beat Netflix’s number one English-language series, Wednesday, which has an impressive 252 million views. But still, it is a huge deal for a show without major stars to come so close to Stranger Things, which is one of Netflix's biggest shows. This shows that word-of-mouth campaigns can really help a show take off. It also makes me wonder if there is just so much content on Netflix now that different shows can find different audiences and still do incredibly well. Perhaps it is not a sign that Stranger Things is losing its spark, but rather that Netflix's audience is just that big.
Beyond viewership, one detail about Eleven has remained a mystery for nine years. Stranger Things has kept an air of secrecy around it. The show needs to resolve this before ending with season 5. Despite production delays, Stranger Things remains a very important show for Netflix. As the final chapter, season 5 has the responsibility of tying up many loose ends. Many parts of the Upside Down are still unknown. Questions about its origins and nature remain. Dr. Owens’ fate is also unclear. I am hoping season 5 will give us some certainty about what happened to him. But this one specific mystery about Eleven’s past needs to be confirmed before the series ends for good. I am talking about who Eleven’s biological father is.
Since season 1, many fans have guessed that Brenner or even Henry Creel could be her father. But the show has never confirmed it. Interestingly, there is a prequel novel called Suspicious Minds. This book says that Andrew Rich, Terry Ives’ boyfriend, was Eleven’s biological father. The book claims that Dr. Brenner arranged for Andrew Rich to be drafted into the Vietnam War. Andrew died in the war. He never knew about Brenner’s true motives or Terry’s pregnancy. The main reason many people doubt the book is connected to the show is that Andrew Rich’s name has never been mentioned in the four seasons. Even when Jim Hopper and Joyce Byers visited Terry’s home to learn about Eleven’s past, her biological father was never mentioned. I am hoping the show finally gives us a clear answer to this question.
When Can We Expect The Final Season Of Stranger Things To Arrive?
Release Date Rumors, Potential Spinoffs, And How The Duffer Brothers Are Approaching The End
There are rumors swirling about when Stranger Things season 5 will actually drop. The makers have confirmed that season 5 will release on Netflix in 2025. But there are rumors that the show will release in three parts instead of two. Some reports suggest the first part will arrive in October 2025. The second part would follow in November 2025. But the third part could be pushed to early 2026. Netflix and the show's creators have not officially announced the release date or the three-part plan yet. So, we will have to wait for official confirmation. I really hope it is sooner rather than later, but I also want them to take their time and get it right.
The Duffer brothers have also talked about potential spin-offs for Stranger Things. But they do not want to rush into things. Matt Duffer told Parade, "We’re taking it one step at a time." Ross Duffer added, "We don’t wanna rush anything. We don’t wanna just do something just to do it, or for commercial reasons. We want it to have a real reason to exist and something that we’re all excited about." This is good to hear. I would hate to see a spin-off made just for money without a good story. I trust them to make smart choices for the future of the Stranger Things universe. I think the idea of other stories in this world is appealing, but only if they feel as genuine as the original.
Overall, the final season of Stranger Things is shaping up to be quite an event. From the personal milestones of its young stars to the resolution of long-standing mysteries, there is a lot to look forward to. The bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to Hawkins is real. But I am also excited to see how the Duffer brothers bring this amazing story to a close. I am ready for the emotional rollercoaster, the scary monsters, and most of all, the bond between these characters that has kept us watching for so long. Set your calendars for 2025, even if the exact dates are still a bit hazy. It will be worth the wait.