Stranger Things season 4 cast: Catch up with the Hawkins characters and meet the new stars joining the Netflix series in 2022

Stranger Things season 4 is the Netflix show's biggest and scariest yet.

The 1980s-set supernatural drama takes influence from teen horror movies such as Nightmare on Elm Street as it returns for its penultimate season.

With extended episodes split across two volumes, season 4 has been worth the wait for fans. Volume 1 left us with some heart-pounding cliffhangers that have had us screaming for the final two episodes  - which drop at 8am on 1 July.

If you need any reminders about where things were left at the end of Volume 1, here is our quick guide to the cast – new and old – for Stranger Things 4.

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Full Stranger Things season 4 cast

• Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers)
• David Harbour (Jim Hopper)
• Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven)
• Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler)
• Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson)
• Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair)
• Noah Schnapp (Will Byers)
• Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield)
• Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler)
• Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers)
• Joe Keery (Steve Harrington)
• Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley)
• Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair)
• Brett Gelman (Murray)
• Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler)
• Matthew Modine (Dr Brenner).
• Jamie Campbell Bower (Peter Ballard)
• Joseph Quinn (Eddie Munson)
• Eduardo Franco (Argyle)
• Sherman Augustus (Lt. Colonel Sullivan)
• Mason Dye (Jason Carver)
• Nikola Djuricko (Yuri)
• Tom Wlaschiha (Dmitri)
• Myles Truitt (Patrick)
• Regina Ting Chen (Ms. Kelly)
• Grace Van Dien (Chrissy)
• Logan Riley Bruner (Fred Benson)
• Logan Allen (Jake)
• Elodie Grace Orkin (Angela)
• John Reynolds (Officer Callahan)
• Rob Morgan (Chief Powell)
• Amybeth McNulty (Vickie)
• Robert Englund (Victor Creel)

Winona Ryder - Plays Joyce Byers

At the end of season 3, Joyce and Hopper shared an emotional moment and finally admitted their feelings for each other – but were ripped apart in the explosive conclusion, where the portal to the Upside Down was destroyed.

Joyce left her kids in California in volume 1 and went on a mission to Russia with Murray to rescue Hopper. After being betrayed by Russian Yuri, Murray and Hopper karate-chopped their way just in the nick of time to help save Hopper from his Demogorgon battle.

David Harbour – Plays Jim Hopper

Hopper has had a rough old season 4 after being kidnapped by the Russians at the end of the Battle of Starcourt.

Stuck in a brutal Russian prison, Hopper forged an emotional bond with prison guard Dmitri who helped him with an escape plan.

When his plan failed, the pair paid the ultimate price - a battle with the Russian's pet Demogorgon. Hopper's knowledge came in handy as he used fire to battle the Upside Down creature and the American/Russian duo were rescued by Murray and Joyce in the nick of time.

Millie Bobby Brown – Plays Eleven

Eleven's new life in California proved to be a disaster as she struggled to handle the challenges of high school bullies without Mike and Hopper by her side.

Arrested by the police for an assault at the roller rink, Dr Owens reappeared and reunited Eleven with her 'papa' Dr Brenner.

While Mike, Will and Jonathan went on the hunt to bring her back, Brenner and Owens persuaded Eleven that she needed to rediscover her old powers to save her friends, Hawkins and the world.

After undergoing water therapy, Eleven remembered the true events at Hawkins Lab that caused a crack into the Upside Down to open. It wasn't Eleven who killed her fellow experiements at the labs, it was 001/Henry Creel. And by defeating him in a battle, she sent 001 into the Upside Down and turned him into... Vecna.

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Finn Wolfhard - Plays Mike Wheeler

Mike and Dustin were still flying the flag for Dungeons and Dragons as members of The Hellfire Club at Hawkins High School – Hellfire Club t-shirts are selling like hot cakes.

Mike’s relationship with Eleven was tested by the distance and when they reunited in California, Mike discovered that he’d not been given the whole story on Cali life by El.

His special bond with Will was also tested. His oldest friend despaired at the fact Will hadn't been in touch since he moved to the West Coast. But the pair were forced to put aside their differences as they took drastic and risky action to rescue Eleven.

Gaten Matarazzo – Plays Dustin Henderson

Dusty remains the exuberant and charismatic cornerstone of the original Stranger Things gang. With Lucas busy in the High School basketball team, Will and Eleven in California, and Mike on his way to visit them, the D&D lover is forced to build new relationships and bonds in this season’s adventure.

His double act with Joe Keery’s Steve Harrington remains one of the most heart-warming elements of the series.

He's also the main problem solver in season 4 as he cracks various clues and mysteries about the Upside Down and the villainous Vecna.

Caleb McLaughlin – Plays Lucas Sinclair

In a significant shift from previous seasons, Lucas has become part of the High School basketball squad, meaning he has less time for role play games and his old best friends.

His bond with Max also became strained and distant in the break since season 3.

However, it was ultimately his feelings for Max that forced him to abandon his jock basketball pals and return to save his old friends.

Lucas knew that Kate Bush would be the singer to save Max and his tender conversations with her after she was saved from Vecna were some of the most emotional moments in Volume 1. Let's just hope the pairing are safe from any more heartbreak in Volume 2.

Noah Schnapp – Plays Will Byers

Will was on Eleven chaperone duties at the start of season 4, looking out for his friend as she struggled to deal with the pressures of High School.

But when Mike came to visit, Will revealed that El isn’t the only one struggling with the new West Coast life as he felt neglected and ignored by his old gang.

The show's creators have promised we'll get answers on Will's mysterious painting from Volume 1 and his sexuality will be explored further in the final two episodes.

Sadie Sink – Plays Max Mayfield

Max took centre stage for large chunks of season 4 as she struggled to come to terms with the death of her brother Billy, who sacrificed himself to the Mind Flayer to save her in season 3.

Sadie Sink's character was suffering with various anxieties and mental health issues as she shut herself down and avoided her old friends.

It was only when she remembered the special bond she had with Lucas, Dustin, El and the gang that she was able to be saved from Vecna. Her escape, soundtrack by Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill, in episode 4, was the most-talked about scene in Volume 1.

Let's hope she doesn't lose that walkman in Volume 2...

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Natalia Dyer – Plays Nancy Wheeler

While her boyfriend Jonathan is in California, Nancy is throwing herself into life as a local reporter and a sudden dark event in Hawkins sets her off on an incredible journey into the dark history of the small town.

Nancy and Steve shippers got plenty to enjoy in Volume 1 as they both threw themselves into danger to save the other.

At the end of Volume 1, we saw Nancy in a Vecna trance, as he preyed on her guilt over the death of Barb in season 1. Will Steve and the gang be able to rescue her?

Charlie Heaton – Plays Jonathan Byers

In California, Jonathan has started dabbling in the stoner lifestyle with his new best mate and pizza delivery driver Argyle.

But it’s not long in season 4 before Jonathan steps up and take responsibility for the Cali gang as they find themselves on an epic and unexpected adventure.

Will Johnathan and Nancy get reunited in Volume 2? And will he tell her the truth that he's not going to the same college as her anymore?

Joe Keery – Plays Steve Harrington

Now working with Robin in a video rental store, Steve is still a hit with the female population of Hawkins, but still hasn’t found ‘The One’.

It’s not in Volume 1 before his old buddy Dustin drags him and Robin into yet another perilous adventure.

Once again Steve finds himself playing action hero and babysitter, even taking on some Demo-bats and getting bitten for his troubles. The show's creators couldn't kill him off could they? They would have a riot on their hands.

Maya Hawke – Plays Robin Buckley

Without question, the low-key MVP of season 4, Maya Hawke hds several scene stealing one-liners.

She begins the season working a new job at Hawkins video rental store alongside Steve. Her friendship with Steve and chalk and cheese dynamic with Nancy is a great asset to balance out the darkness and horror elements of the show.

Some fans believe it will be Robin who saves Nancy from Vecna in Volume 2, because they spotted her rooting through Nancy's cassette tapes in her bedroom.

Priah Ferguson - Plays Erica Sinclair

Lucas's younger sister steps up for The Hellfire Club when her brother finds himself too busy with the basketball team.

It looks like she will take centre stage in Volume 2 as the trailer footage shows her heading into action with her brother Lucas and Max.

Brett Gelman – Plays Murray

With Hopper absent, the eccentric turned into a sidekick for Joyce and her quest for answers. Bret Gelman remained a surreal joy as Murray showed off his karate and Russian language skills in the unlikely Hopper rescue mission.

Murray is in the thick of the action in volume 2 - we see him using a flame-thrower in the trailer - but will her survive another battle in Russia?

Matthew Modine - Plays Dr Brenner

Matthew Modine's chilling Dr Brenner was back and reunited with Eleven as he attempted to get back her old powers.

Brenner still haunts Eleven and the past events between them in Hawkins Lab was central to El’s journey in season 4.

Although there are still unanswered questions about Brenner's overall goals and game at Hawkins Lab, we learned more than ever before about his actions in the top secret facility.

Gabriella Pizzolo - Plays Suzie Bingham

The NeverEnding Story fanatic, Planck's Constant, expert, Camp Know Where alumnus, Suzie has been a crucial ally to the Stranger Things gang in season 3 and season 4.

Despite a lack of contact from 'Dusty Bun', Suzie helped saved the day in season 3 and is visited by Mike, Argyle, Jonathan and Will in season 4 with a special request.

Cara Buono - Plays Karen Wheeler

The Wheeler matriach came to the fore in season 3, when she had a flirtatious relationship with Billy.

She ended up walking away from Billy and stayed loyal to her husband from Ted after watching him share a tender moment with their daughter Holly.

In season 4, Karen and Holly witnessed some of the impact of the events hitting Hawkins as they saw their house shaking from an unknown force. Perhaps, Mrs Wheeler is going to be pulled deeper into the story of the Upside Down and discover what has been happening to her children.

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Jamie Campbell Bower – Plays Peter Ballard/Henry Creel/001

We were told before season 4 was released that the Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and Sweeney Todd actor would plays a caring man who works as an orderly at a psychiatric hospital.

We were told he was called Peter Ballard.

We were told he was tired of the brutality he witnesses day after day.

We were lied to.

In short, Jamie Campbell Bower plays the grown up version of Henry Creel - a haunted child with special powers and sinister intentions. After Henry killed his mother and sister, he went into a coma and was captured by Dr Brenner and used for experimentation.

After manipulating Eleven, Henry was able to escape Brenner's controls and killed the other subjects in Hawkins Labs.

Eleven refused to join him in taking on the human race, fought him and won. However, the explosive results of their fight opened up a crack into the Upside Down and morphed Henry/001 into... VECNA!

Joseph Quinn - Plays Eddie Munson

The Catherine the Great actor plays the audacious 80s metalhead who runs The Hellfire Club, Hawkins High’s official D&D club.

Hated by those who don’t understand him - and beloved by those who do - Eddie found  himself at the terrifying epicenter of this season’s mystery.

Hated by the jocks, who believed he killed school cheerleader Chrissy, and on the run from the whole of Hawkins, it was only his D&D pal Dustin that managed to keep him safe.

He told Steve that he doesn't consider himself a hero, but many fans are predicting he might make a huge sacrifice to save the day in Volume 2. 

Eduardo Franco - Plays Argyle

The Booksmart actor is Jonathan’s new best friend, a fun-loving stoner who proudly delivers delicious pizza pies for Surfer Boy Pizza. You’re going to fall in love with him.

Mason Dye - Plays Jason Carver

The Bosch and Goldbergs actor’s character has it all - he's handsome, he’s rich, he’s a sports star, and he’s dating the most popular girl in school. But as a new evil threatens Hawkins, Jason’s perfect world begins to unravel…

Nikola Djuricko - Plays Yuri

Yuri is a seedy and unpredictable Russian smuggler who loves bad jokes, cold hard cash, and crunchy style peanut butter.

Djuricko previously starred in BBC drama Informer and the movie World War Z.

Tom Wlaschiha - Plays Dmitri

Dmitri is a Russian prison guard who befriends Hopper. Dmitri is smart, cunning, and charming... but can he be trusted?

Where you do recognise Dmitri from? You will probably have seen Tom Wlaschiha in Game of Thrones as Jaqen H'ghar, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan as Max Schenkel or in Das Boot as Hagen Forster.

He managed to survive the battle with the Russian demogorgon, but may have scarier fights ahead with his new best buddy Hopper if he's going to escape season 4 alive.

Grace Van Dien - Plays Chrissy

Chrissy is Hawkins High's lead cheerleader and the most popular girl in school. But beneath the seemingly perfect surface lies a dark secret.

The Duffer brothers have admitted that they might have changed her death in volume 1 if they had know how good Grace Van Dien would be in the role and if they had seen her fantastic chemistry with Joseph Quinn.

You may have previously seen Grace Van Dien in Greenhouse Academy or The Village.

Robert Englund - Plays Victor Creel

The Nightmare on Elm Street legend is cast as Victor Creel, a disturbed and intimidating man who is imprisoned in a psychiatric hospital for a gruesome murder in the 1950s. His dark history in Hawkins is at the centre of the 2022 season.

Logan Riley Bruner - Plays Fred Benson

A colleague of Nancy's at the local Hawkins paper, Fred heads off to investigate the strange series of events in the small town with Nancy. However, Fred has some dark secrets he has kept to himself.

Elodie Grace Orkin - Plays Angela

Angela is the coolest kid in the year at Eleven's new school in California and unfortunately she has taken a dislike to the newest pupil in the class. She terrorises and bullies Eleven, constantly pushing our hero to her limit with comments about her 'late' father Hopper.

Amybeth McNulty - Plays Vickie

Anne With An E fans were thrilled when Amybeth McNulty was cast as a new Stranger Things character and love interest for Maya Hawke's Robin in season 4.

However, she only appeared briefly in Volume 1 as Robin and Vickie exchanged knowing glances as they performed in the Hawkins high school band.

Fans will be thrilled that Amybeth returns in Volume 2 with a more signficant role and with the strong possibility of a bumped up role in season 5.

After three seasons playing the lead in Anne With An E, Amybeth has appeared in the films Maternal, Black Medicine and All My Puny Sorrows.

Stranger Things season 1-4 are streaming now on Netflix

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Stranger Things past cast

Sean Astin - Plays Bob Newby

The founder of the Hawkins Middle AV Club, the manager of the Radio Shack and late boyfriend of Joyce, Bob was one of the heroes of Stranger Things season 2.

Bob the Brain helped save Joyce and the Byers family, allowing them to escape Hawkins Labs with his computer skills turning off the security system. However, as everyone escaped Bob was mauled to death by a baby Demogorgon. It was a heartbreaking exit for The Goonies and Lord of the Rings legend Sean Astin.

Shannon Purser - Plays Barb

One of the show’s best loved characters, despite only appearing for a short period in season one, por Barb was taken from us too early.

Her death at the hands of the Demogorgon in season one made a lasting impact of fans and was still haunting her best friend Nancy Wheeler in season 4. Vecna was able to exploit Nancy’s guilt and regret over the death of Barb to capture Nancy in the season 4 finale.

Nancy still blames herself for Barb’s death, after she left her friend alone to spend time with love interest Steve.

Alex Utgoff - Plays Alexi 

A key Russian scientist involved on The Key project under Starcourt Mall. Alexei was arrested by Hopper and went on the run with him, Joyce and Murray in season 3. He was eventually killed by Russian hitman Grigori for defecting to help the United States.

Andrey Iychenko - Plays Grigori

A Russian soldier and hitman, who helped keep the Russian project under Starcourt Mall secret.

He was ordered to kill Hopper and Byers for their interference in Russia’s plans and despite incredible fighting skills and strength, he was taken down and killed by Hopper in the underground facility under Starcourt Mall.

Linnea Berthelsen - Plays Kali Prasad/Eight

Another test subject from Hawkins Lab, who suffered the same experiments and suffering as Eleven. In season two, Eleven and Eight were reunited briefly and it was revealed that Eight now lived with a gang of youths.

She had slightly different powers to the other subjects as she could create mental images in other people’s minds – a skill that allowed her to escape Hawkins Labs.

Cary Elwes - Plays Larry Kline 

The mayor of Hawkins in season 3, Kline was cooperating with the Starcourt company and Russians. A self-serving and corrupt mayor, he was eventually thrown out of office and had his secrets exposed after the Battle of Starcourt.

Jake Busey - Plays Bruce Lowe

The Frighteners star Jake Busey played the misogynistic and crude co-worker of Nancy Wheeler in season 3, who frequently bullied the aspiring young journalist.

His foul behaviour made him the perfect victim for the Mind Flayer, who turned him into a killer, who tried to hunt down Nancy and Jonathan.

Nancy eventually killed Mind Flayer Bruce with a fire extinguisher to the head.

Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are available now on Netflix