The Mind-bending Twist in Stranger Things 5 That Will Leave You Speechless

Stranger Things season 5 has welcomed iconic '80s actress Linda Hamilton to its ensemble cast, contradicting a previously made promise of an optimistic ending by the creators. Hamilton's role in the final installment of Netflix's popular 1980s sci-fi series has not been disclosed, but her status as a sci-fi legend suggests she will have a significant part in Hawkins' battle against the Upside Down. Despite notable character deaths in season 4, the cast of Stranger Things season 5 continues to expand. However, season 4 faced criticism for introducing too many new characters in different locations. While it is unlikely that season 5 will follow suit, the casting of Linda Hamilton has already gone against the promise to limit new additions after season 4.

Linda Hamilton's Casting Walks Back Stranger Things 5's "No New Character" Promise

The addition of Linda Hamilton to the cast of Stranger Things season 5 may have come as a surprise, considering her status as a well-known celebrity. This raises concerns about the amount of screen time and focus that will be given to her character, potentially taking away from the development and conclusion of existing storylines. Furthermore, the issue of underdeveloped characters introduced in season 4 still remains. While Hamilton's casting follows the show's tradition of including '80s icons, it is likely that there will be further new additions in the upcoming season.

Stranger Things 5 Tease Hints At Making Its Broken Character Promise Even Worse

The announcement of Linda Hamilton's casting in Stranger Things season 5 was the highlight of Netflix's Tudum event. However, the streaming platform has hinted that there will be further casting announcements in the future. According to Netflix's Tudum website, Hamilton is the first key player to be announced for the upcoming season, suggesting that more actors will join the cast and more characters will be introduced alongside the original Hawkins residents. This revelation not only contradicts the initial promise of resisting the addition of new characters but also indicates that the list of new additions will continue to expand, further deviating from the original vision for Stranger Things season 5.

Stranger Things 5 Will Still Need Some New Characters

Considering there are only a few episodes remaining until the stories of Eleven, Hopper, the Byers family, the Wheeler family, Steve, Dustin, Lucas, and Max come to an end, the pressure to prioritize their character development above all in Stranger Things season 5 is high. The decision to not introduce any additional characters to the final season's ensemble would ensure that the original group remains the primary focus. However, it was inevitable that a few new faces would join the fight against the Upside Down. While the Upside Down has always posed a threat to Hawkins, Stranger Things season 5 marks the first time that the entire town is aware of the supernatural dangers that the government can no longer conceal.

The presence of the Upside Down in Hawkins prompts an increased military and government presence in the town. As the government works to clean up the aftermath, assess the damage, and combat Vecna's army, more soldiers, military officials, and government representatives from Hawkins are expected to be introduced in Stranger Things season 5. The finale of the series also necessitates the introduction of previously mentioned but unseen characters, such as Steve's parents, Robin's parents, Dustin's father, Max's father, and Eleven's unknown father. These characters will contribute to the development and backstory of the main characters as they face their most dire threat. While additional supporting characters will join the battle against the Upside Down, it is crucial for Stranger Things season 5 to prioritize providing satisfying conclusions to the original group's storylines.