Picture Hawkins, Indiana, a little emptier, a little less charming. What if your favorite characters, like the gruff but golden-hearted Sheriff Hopper or the evolution of Steve "The Hair" Harrington, hadn't made it past their early seasons? As Stranger Things heads into its fifth and final chapter, creators Matt and Ross Duffer have spilled the beans on which integral characters almost faced a grim end long before the final showdown with Vecna.

TL;DR: The Upside Down's Close Calls for Fan Favorites

  • Jim Hopper was slated to die at the end of Season 3, but the Duffer Brothers felt his story wasn't complete.
  • Steve Harrington nearly bit the dust in Season 1, saved largely by actor Joe Keery's undeniable charm.
  • The creators carefully weigh a character's narrative arc and the emotional fallout on other characters before making permanent decisions about their fate.

The Unfinished Story of Hawkins' Own Chief of Police, Jim Hopper

For many fans, the Season 3 finale of Stranger Things delivered a gut punch. As the secret Russian lab beneath the Starcourt Mall imploded, Jim Hopper (played by David Harbour) appeared to be caught in the blast, seemingly sacrificing himself to save Hawkins. The emotional weight of that moment was palpable, leaving viewers to process the loss of a character who had become a surrogate father to Eleven and a steadfast protector of the town.

However, that wasn't the final word on Hopper's fate. A mid-credits scene hinted at his survival, and months later, Netflix officially confirmed he was imprisoned in a camp in Kamchatka, Russia. This surprise return in Season 4 saw Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Murray (Brett Gelman) embark on a daring rescue mission, culminating in an emotional reunion between Hopper and his adopted daughter, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown).

It turns out, those initial suspicions about Hopper's demise were nearly accurate. Matt Duffer revealed to Entertainment Weekly, "There was a version where [David Harbour's Jim Hopper] perished at the end of [Season] 3... I feel like he came the closest to dying." Ross Duffer echoed this, stating it "would've been very easy" to kill Hopper. Source: [Entertainment Weekly, "Stranger Things creators reveal two main characters almost died in past seasons ahead of final season premiere," November 10, 2025].

"It's important to us to be able to finish the stories we want to finish and not just be offing people for shock value."

— Ross Duffer, Co-creator of Stranger Things

The decision to spare Hopper wasn't arbitrary. Ross Duffer explained their reasoning, emphasizing, "Hopper still had growing to do. We hadn't finished his story. It's important to us to be able to finish the stories we want to finish and not just be offing people for shock value." This philosophy underscores a commitment to character development over cheap thrills, ensuring that major narrative choices serve a deeper purpose within the overarching story.

From High School Jerk to Beloved Babysitter: The Steve Harrington Evolution

Then there's Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), the character who underwent perhaps the most surprising and beloved transformation in the series. Introduced in Season 1 as Nancy Wheeler's popular, somewhat arrogant boyfriend, he was initially easy to dislike, particularly with his spray-painted derogatory message towards Nancy. But somewhere along the line, Steve shed his 'King Steve' facade, evolving into a compassionate, often hilarious, and fiercely protective "babysitter" for the younger kids of Hawkins, especially Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Robin (Maya Hawke).

Hard to imagine a Stranger Things without Steve's hair-flipping charm, right? Well, it almost happened. Matt Duffer admitted, "That was close. We just fell in love with Joe Keery, but had we not liked Joe Keery, Steve would've been gone." Source: [The Hollywood Reporter, "Duffer Brothers Explain Why They Almost Killed Steve Harrington in 'Stranger Things' Season 1," November 10, 2025]. This is a rare instance where an actor's performance and personality so profoundly influenced the direction of a character, illustrating the organic nature of television production.

The Power of an Actor's Performance to Shape a Character's Destiny

Consider this: a fan tuning into Stranger Things in 2016 might have initially dismissed Steve as just another high school bully, perhaps even rooting for his early exit. But as Joe Keery imbued the character with unexpected depth, glimpses of vulnerability, and a burgeoning sense of responsibility, that fan's perception, and indeed the creators', began to shift. Keery's portrayal transformed Steve from a potential casualty into an indispensable member of the ensemble, proving that sometimes, talent and charm can rewrite destiny within a fictional universe.

This decision highlights a fascinating tradeoff in storytelling: the initial plot-driven intention versus the unforeseen magic an actor brings to the role. While plot logic might have dictated Steve's early demise, Keery's engaging performance offered a compelling counter-argument, creating a character arc that has become one of the show's most celebrated. Without Keery's unique blend of humor and heart, Steve's journey from antagonist to fan-favorite wouldn't have been possible, and the show would certainly feel different.

Why Some Characters Survive and Others Don't: The Duffer Brothers' Deliberate Approach

While Hopper and Steve dodged death, Stranger Things has never shied away from killing off significant supporting characters. Think of Barb Holland (Shannon Purser) in Season 1, Joyce's kind-hearted boyfriend Bob Newby (Sean Astin) in Season 2, the conflicted Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) in Season 3, or the metalhead hero Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) in Season 4. These deaths undeniably have a lasting impact on the remaining characters and the emotional tone of the series.

Matt Duffer articulated their careful approach to character deaths: "What often holds us back is you have to talk about the repercussions... You kill Mike. It just makes the show rather depressing and bleak, and it becomes entirely about that. Even these more supporting characters like Eddie or Bob or Barb, of course, have really long-lasting repercussions on our characters." Source: [ScreenRant, "Stranger Things Creators Reveal Fan Favorite Characters Almost Died In Earlier Seasons," November 10, 2025].

This suggests a nuanced balance. While sacrificing a core character might deliver a shock, it could derail the emotional core and overall narrative direction, making the series too grim. They strive for deaths that resonate and drive the story forward without leaving the remaining cast in an inescapable abyss of despair. The constant consideration of "repercussions" prevents them from making impulsive narrative decisions solely for shock value.

A Note on Recent Cast Speculation

Amidst all the character survival talks, recent reports had surfaced alleging harassment and bullying between Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour on set. However, both actors presented a united front at the Season 5 world premiere in Los Angeles last week, posing together, smiling, and laughing. Brown addressed their bond directly, telling Entertainment Tonight, "I've obviously had a really special bond with David because we have a father and daughter relationship, and we do every scene together." Matt Duffer, when asked about on-set matters, stated, "we've been doing this for 10 years with this cast, and at this point they're family and we deeply care about them. Nothing matters more than just having a set where everyone feels safe and happy." This collective response appears to shut down the rumors, reaffirming the strong relationships within the cast as they approach the series' conclusion.

Looking Ahead: What Does This Mean for the Final Season?

As Stranger Things Season 5 approaches, the Duffer Brothers' revelations offer a fascinating glimpse into their creative process. Knowing that even core characters like Hopper and Steve were once on the chopping block only heightens the stakes for the final battle against Vecna and the Upside Down. While the creators have shown restraint in killing off main protagonists to avoid overly bleak narratives and allow for full character arcs, this final season could break all bets.

The series, which has captivated audiences for nearly a decade, will deliver its eight final episodes in three volumes. The first four episodes drop on November 26, 2025, with another three on December 25, 2025, and the grand finale on December 31, 2025. Some lucky fans will even catch the finale in select theaters. With the endgame in sight, the narrative constraints that saved characters in earlier seasons might just be lifted, leaving everyone fair game.

Practical Takeaways for the Final Confrontation

  • Every Character is Potentially at Risk: While the Duffers have historically avoided killing main characters for shock, the final season's conclusion means no story arc is left unfinished, making deaths more impactful.
  • Character Arcs Drive Decisions: The reasons Hopper and Steve survived highlight that narrative completeness and character development are paramount to the creators. Expect any major deaths to serve a significant emotional or plot purpose.
  • Prepare for Emotional Repercussions: The Duffer Brothers' philosophy dictates that any death will have profound, lasting effects on the remaining characters.
  • The End is Truly Nigh: With the release split across Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve, Netflix is setting the stage for a dramatic and final farewell to Hawkins.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Stranger Things Season 5

When does Stranger Things Season 5 premiere? The first four episodes of Season 5 will be released on November 26, 2025. The next three episodes follow on December 25, 2025, and the series finale on December 31, 2025. Where can I watch Stranger Things Season 5? Season 5 will be available exclusively on Netflix. The final episode will also be shown in select theaters. How many episodes will be in the final season? Stranger Things Season 5 will consist of 8 episodes, released in three volumes. Will more main characters die in Season 5? While the creators have been cautious about killing main characters in the past, the final season is expected to have high stakes, and beloved characters often face heightened danger in series conclusions. The Duffer Brothers emphasize that any deaths will have significant repercussions.

Sources

  • Entertainment Weekly: "Stranger Things creators reveal two main characters almost died in past seasons ahead of final season premiere" (November 10, 2025)
  • The Hollywood Reporter: "Duffer Brothers Explain Why They Almost Killed Steve Harrington in 'Stranger Things' Season 1" (November 10, 2025)
  • ScreenRant: "Stranger Things Creators Reveal Fan Favorite Characters Almost Died In Earlier Seasons" (November 10, 2025)
  • Entertainment Tonight: (Implied, regarding Millie Bobby Brown's quote)
  • Netflix: (Implied, regarding release dates and Hopper's return confirmation)