Although Netflix makes a point of not revealing their streaming data numbers, Stranger Things is one of the company’s most successful shows to date. It is one of the most trending shows on Twitter and has an incredibly devoted and active fanbase. The series is about the journey a ragtag team of middle school-aged friends go on as they search for clues when one of their own mysteriously disappears. Along with other residents of Hawkins, Indiana, they quickly discover that the answers they search for are sinister and not altogether human.
Matt and Ross Duffer, or The Duffer Brothers, conceived the idea for the sci-fi/fantasy series as an homage to some of their favorite ‘80s genre films growing up. The nostalgic and CGI-heavy series features relics and music from the era. Originally written in early 2015, The Duffer Brothers shopped the series to all the major networks in town. All of them rejected their pitch. At that time Netflix was looking to expand their repertoire of original TV series. Riding the high of success from Orange Is The New Black and House Of Cards, Netflix decided to take a chance on the ambitious idea. They optioned the script for a series in April 2015, as the series’ suspenseful plotlines garnered it a larger and larger fanbase.
Netflix renewed the series quickly after the debut of season one and has since renewed it for a third and fourth season. Its received a number of Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, with many of the shows stars granted a nod or two. Among the show’s actors to receive accolades was ‘80s cult classic dauphin-turned ‘90s It-Girl Winona Ryder. The show proved to be a resurgence for Ryder’s career, ending a quiet streak that followed decades of incredibly popular and highly visible work. Stranger Things is the highest profile project she has been attached to in recent years and it’s proven to be a major comeback for her. Season two of Stranger Things was released all at once on Netflix’s streaming platform in October 2017. The second season found kids continuing their journey after not all is resolved from the first season. The 9-episode season featured familiar faces and some new additions including Hollywood veteran Sean Astin, and newcomers Dacre Montgomery and Sadie Sink.
The Duffer Brothers have reportedly said that the series will end after season four or five, much to fans’ dismay. Until that day comes, though, we have you covered with a full list of the shows stars. Check out what they look like out of costume and what they are up to when not filming the series.
[post_page_title]Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder)[/post_page_title]
Winona Ryder leads the cast of Stranger Things as Joyce Byers, the affectionate mother of Will and Jonathan Byers. When Will suddenly goes missing, Joyce finds herself on a desperate search for answers. What she discovers is more sinister and dangerous than she could imagine. Ryder was the first actor attached to Stranger Things when production began in 2015. Her intense and emotional performance as Joyce went on to land the show’s star a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Satellite awards nominations.
