The end of an era! Stranger Things 5 finished filming in December 2024 and is set to premiere on Netflix at some point in 2025. After nearly a decade together, it’s no surprise the cast and crew were emotional about the series ending. Several Stranger Things stars have spoken about their time filming the show and what it’s meant to them.
Joe Keery Called His ‘Stranger Things’ Role ‘a Gift’
Joe Keery, who plays fan-favorite Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, said that it really hit him that the series was over during “the last few days of shooting.”
“It was just emotionally packed in a great way,” Joe said during an April 23, 2025, appearance on the “Zach Sang Show” podcast. “You don’t get too many ‘ends of a big chapter’ in your life, and I was just like, full enjoyment. Even though it was sad and bittersweet, I was like, ‘Wow, this is cool what I’m experiencing.’”
Zach Sang noted that his role was initially supposed to be a minor one, and Joe joked that he originally showed up expecting “like four days of work,” before the Duffer brothers decided to keep the character around. Now, it’s become his most iconic role and one that he’ll be known for for years to come.
“What a gift,” he said. “There’s a part of me that’s like, ‘Nah, I’m more than just [Steve Harrington],’ but I don’t know. I’m kind of OK with that.”
Finn Wolfhard Said Completing ‘Stranger Things’ Didn’t ‘Feel Real’
Finn Wolfhard had mixed emotions about saying goodbye to Stranger Things and his character, Mike Wheeler.
“I was so happy with my character’s ending,” Finn told People in an interview published on April 14, 2025. “I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad, but also very happy.”
As for his feelings on the final day of filming Stranger Things 5, the Ghostbusters: Afterlife star said, “I just couldn’t believe it at all. It didn’t really start to go into focus until the next day. It was like an emotional hangover, but it ended really well, and I just have such positive things to say about everyone. The cast all stayed for the last day, we were all there together. It was really great to be around each other.”
Millie Bobby Brown Cried During the Final Day of Filming
Fans watched Millie Bobby Brown grow up on screen in the role of Eleven. On the final day of filming on December 20, 2024, Millie compared the end of the series to graduation in a speech she gave on set.
“Isn’t graduation supposed to bring relief? Like you’re glad to leave behind the teachers and classmates. Not me. I am nowhere near ready to leave you guys,” the Florence by Mills founder said in a clip she shared to Instagram that same day. “I love each and every one of you and I will forever carry the memories and bonds we created together as a family. I love you, thank you.”
Director Shawn Levy Knew It Was the ‘End of a Chapter’
Shawn Levy described the final day of filming as incredibly “emotional.”
“It was as emotional as you can imagine and maybe more emotional than you’ve heard. It was happy – it was a relief, because it’s been such a long haul and season 5 was a beast. [It] took a year, just to film season 5. There were strikes [and] there were shutdowns,” Shawn told The Hollywood Reporter on April 22, 2025. “But it was also goodbye, but not goodbye to each other, because many of us will stay friends, and stay connected, but goodbye to these stories and goodbye to Hawkins. We all sort of knew on that last day, at that last table read, this was the end of a chapter. We might all go on to great, successful experiences, but you’re lucky if you get one Stranger Things in your life.”
