The Shocking Truth Behind Stiles' Absence in Teen Wolf Season 6

Stiles Stilinski, portrayed by Dylan O'Brien, had a limited presence in season 6 of Teen Wolf, leaving fans curious about the absence of this beloved character. The MTV series, which derived from the 1985 film featuring Michael J. Fox, garnered a dedicated following. Consequently, viewers were taken aback when the show did not continue with a seventh season, as bidding farewell to the Beacon Hills gang, particularly the two main characters, Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) and Stiles, proved to be challenging for many fans.

While Scott took center stage as the protagonist of Teen Wolf, Stiles held equal importance in the overall narrative. As the son of Sheriff Noah Stilinski (Linden Ashby), O'Brien's character showcased a livelier and more adventurous persona than his counterpart. His inquisitive nature frequently led to unforeseen circumstances that significantly influenced the plot. Although Stiles never acquired supernatural abilities like Scott, his detective skills made him an integral member of their evolving pack. Therefore, the minimal presence of O'Brien's Stiles throughout Teen Wolf season 6 left a sense of disappointment among viewers.

Why Dylan O'Brien Left Teen Wolf

Stiles' absence from Teen Wolf was not intentional. The producers, writers, and O'Brien himself wanted him to have a larger role in the show's final season. However, they were unable to do so due to a scheduling conflict and an accident.

The scheduling conflict arose because O'Brien was filming Maze Runner: The Death Cure, where he played the lead character, Thomas. This movie franchise was based on a popular young adult book series. As a result, Stiles was not able to appear as the beloved sidekick in the first 10 episodes of season 6. This was the first time this had happened since the show began.

During the latter half of the series, O'Brien encountered a stunt accident while filming the same movie in March 2016, resulting in more severe injuries than initially thought. This led to the shutdown of production for the Fox film, making it challenging to include Stiles regularly in Teen Wolf season 6B. In an interview with Bustle, O'Brien disclosed that he had no contractual obligation to appear in the remaining episodes of the show.

Nevertheless, Teen Wolf managed to deliver a satisfying finale for the Beacon Hills gang. They not only found a way to bring back Stiles in the final 10 episodes, which occurred after a time jump, but also reintroduced Derek Hale (Tyler Hoechlin) into the story. While it wasn't the ideal scenario for fans who wanted to see Stiles more involved in the action alongside Scott, the show effectively made the most of the situation they were in.

Stiles Also Wasn’t In The Teen Wolf Movie

Stiles' absence from the Teen Wolf movie on Paramount Plus was noticeable. While most of the original cast returned for the movie, including Crystal Reed as Allison Argent, actor Dylan O'Brien was approached to reprise his role as Stiles before the script was even completed. However, despite being open to making a cameo appearance, O'Brien ultimately declined.

Nevertheless, Stiles' presence was still felt in the movie. His iconic Jeep, which O'Brien actually owns, played a significant role in the action sequences. Additionally, the series finale of Teen Wolf had teased Stiles' internship with the FBI, and this storyline paid off in the movie, with the character being portrayed as an FBI agent working on a major case. Given Stiles' previous romantic relationship with Lydia Martin (Holland Roden), the movie also addressed his absence in her life by revealing her recurring nightmares about his potential death, adding an emotional element to the storyline.

The potential for more werewolf adventures in the world of Teen Wolf remains open if Paramount Plus decides to produce a sequel. Additionally, there is a chance for O'Brien to reprise his role as Stiles in a future installment, should he opt to do so.

What Dylan O’Brien Said About Missing The Teen Wolf Movie

Leading up to the premiere of the Teen Wolf movie on Paramount Plus, O'Brien took the opportunity to discuss his involvement in other projects, such as The Outfit and Not Okay. Given the significant buzz surrounding the Teen Wolf movie, O'Brien couldn't avoid addressing his absence.

O'Brien revealed that the entire process was rushed, leading to his difficult decision to pass on the Teen Wolf movie. He expressed his deep connection to the show, as it was his first major role and held great significance to him. Additionally, O'Brien addressed the speculation surrounding his decision, stating that it was not solely based on solidarity with Arden Cho, who also declined the project due to pay disparity.

"It was a situation I was attempting to make work, but everything unfolded rapidly. We were not fully aware of what was happening, and they somewhat surprised us with it, but that's okay because we all have a deep love for the show... Ultimately, I made the decision that it was left in a truly satisfying place for me, and I still want to maintain that."

No one can fault O'Brien for departing from his role as Stiles, as his last appearance was in the series finale of Teen Wolf. He has been consistently occupied with other acting projects since then and had already given the character a fulfilling conclusion. However, fans who yearn for Stiles from Teen Wolf can still relive the entire series by streaming it on Paramount Plus.