Mind-blowing Techniques to Preserve Teen Characters' Youthful Look in Final Season of ‘Stranger Things’

Stranger Things Netflix

Filming the show becomes problematic as the cast prepares to portray teenagers once again, while the Stranger Things characters remain unaffected by the passing of time, according to executive producer Shawn Levy.

The cast of our show has matured before the public eye, and between the ages of 12 and 22, every individual undergoes significant changes," said Levy, 55, in an interview with Variety on Monday, October 23. He also mentioned that our hair, makeup, and wardrobe department is outstanding, utilizing costumes, wigs, and makeup.

The director acknowledged that setting the show in the past has been beneficial. "The '80s has provided a way for these young adult actors to easily transition back into their beloved Hawkins characters," added Levy. "We will utilize all the available resources at our disposal. Our cast is just as eager as the rest of us to get back to work."

The town of Hawkins, Indiana and its residents were introduced to viewers in 2016 with the debut of Stranger Things. This popular series revolves around a fictional town plagued by supernatural events that bring mystery and chaos. As the show gained popularity, its main cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, and Joe Keery, became well-known household names.

However, a notable issue onscreen is the lack of significant time jumps between seasons. Consequently, while the characters remain teenagers, the actors who portray them have visibly aged into their 20s and 30s. Additionally, the filming of the fourth season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a delayed release scheduled now for 2022.

Production on season 5 of the final season is likely to be delayed until 2024 due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The actors' union is awaiting a fair deal from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). As a result, the release date for the last episodes may be pushed to 2025.

In the meantime, the cast has begun discussing their emotions and thoughts about bidding farewell to Stranger Things. Actor Joe Keery, 31, who portrays Steve Harrington, acknowledged that filming the last season would pose its challenges.

"I attribute my entire career to being on that show and all the subsequent opportunities it brought me," he revealed to WWD in August. "So the emotions are quite complex. There is a sense of relief and sadness. My objective is to truly appreciate every moment while we are still doing it, and not take any of it for granted because it has been an incredible journey with amazing people. And once it's over, I aim to move forward and hold onto the joy we experienced while creating it."

As for Brown, at 19 years old, she is eagerly looking forward to moving on from the show that thrust her into the limelight.

"When you feel prepared, you're like, 'Okay, let's take on this final year of high school. Let's move forward,'" she shared with Glamour on October 16th. "Filming Stranger Things consumes a significant amount of time and hinders me from working on projects that truly ignite my passion. Therefore, I am prepared to express my gratitude and bid farewell," she added.

However, the actress remains unfazed about bidding farewell to her fellow cast members. "Even after it ends, I'll still have the opportunity to stay connected with these individuals," Brown revealed.