Netflix has made a significant casting announcement for the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things. The hit series, set in the 1980s and centered around supernatural occurrences in Hawkins, Indiana, first debuted on Netflix in 2016. As one of the streaming platform’s most beloved shows, Stranger Things will soon wrap up its story with its fifth season.
At the Tudum global fan event, Netflix revealed a major development for Stranger Things season 5. Linda Hamilton, renowned for her iconic role in the Terminator franchise, will be joining the cast in an undisclosed character.
Furthermore, Netflix unveiled a monochromatic Polaroid image of Linda Hamilton, suggesting a possible link to the upside-down dimension featured in the show.
🚨Breaking News From #TUDUM🚨
— Netflix (@netflix) June 17, 2023
Linda Hamilton is joining the cast of Stranger Things 5! pic.twitter.com/qYJMeGS700
Stranger Things’ Casting Trend Has Reached Its Peak with Season 5
Since its inception, Stranger Things has consistently aimed to capture the essence of the 1980s through various means. Apart from its nostalgic soundtrack and the backdrop of 80s pop culture, a significant aspect of achieving this is the show’s penchant for casting actors who were part of iconic productions from that era. Notably, Winona Ryder, a key member of the main cast, has portrayed Joyce Byers in all 42 episodes and is recognized for her roles in 1988’s Beetlejuice and Heathers.
Throughout each season, the creators of Stranger Things have effectively tapped into nostalgia by carefully selecting actors with ties to memorable 80s properties. Season 2 saw the inclusion of Sean Astin from The Goonies and Paul Reiser from Aliens, while season 3 introduced Cary Elwes from The Princess Bride. The most recent season, season 4, featured the renowned Robert Englund, known for his role in A Nightmare on Elm Street, portraying the local legend Victor Creel.
With the addition of Linda Hamilton, Stranger Things takes this nostalgia-driven approach to greater heights. Hamilton’s participation alone would be significant given her unforgettable performance in the genre-defining hit The Terminator. However, her involvement in other iconic works like the 1984 film Children of the Corn and the 1987 series Beauty and the Beast further solidifies her status as one of the most emblematic performers to join the long-standing series.
Source: Netflix
