The cast of Stranger Things, led by Finn Wolfhard, admits significant anxiety over the show’s final season avoiding a fan backlash on the scale of Game of Thrones, but Wolfhard confirms the scripts for season five have assured them of a “special” and satisfying conclusion.
The anticipation for the final season of Netflix’s Stranger Things is palpable, but for its stars, the excitement has been mixed with a healthy dose of anxiety. Finn Wolfhard, who has grown up on screen as Mike Wheeler, recently revealed the cast’s collective fear that their beloved sci-fi phenomenon might fall victim to a fan backlash akin to what befell Game of Thrones’ polarizing conclusion.
“I think everyone was pretty worried, honestly,” Wolfhard candidly told Time. He elaborated on the precise nature of their concern, stating, “The way that Game of Thrones got torn to shreds in that final season, we’re all walking into this going, ‘We hope to not have that kind of thing happen.'” This sentiment underscores the immense pressure facing any massive franchise nearing its end, especially one with a dedicated and vocal fanbase like Stranger Things.
The Haunting Precedent of Westeros
The final season of Game of Thrones, which aired in 2019, remains a cautionary tale in television history. Despite its unprecedented success and critical acclaim for years, its conclusion was met with widespread disappointment and fury from fans. Viewers widely criticized writer-producers David Benioff and Dan Weiss for what they perceived as rushed plotlines and character arcs that diverged sharply from established personalities. This dissatisfaction was so profound that an online petition demanding HBO remake the season with “competent writers” garnered over 1.8 million signatures, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. The petition serves as a powerful testament to the fervor of fan investment and the depth of their disappointment.
Even some cast members from the fantasy epic voiced their reservations. Conleth Hill, who portrayed Varys, expressed his displeasure, telling The U.K.’s Times in 2023 that he felt the final season was “a bit rushed” and that he was “inconsolable” at the time. However, not all cast members shared this view, with some, like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), coming to the defense of the showrunners, highlighting their long-term dedication to the series.
Stranger Things’ Own Lofty Expectations
For the cast and crew of Stranger Things, the shadow of Game of Thrones’ controversial ending looms large. Stranger Things, too, has cultivated a rabid global fanbase over its nearly decade-long run, a community that has been patiently (or impatiently) awaiting the final installment for more than three years. The series co-creators, the Duffer Brothers, have openly acknowledged the challenge of concluding such a beloved narrative, with executive producer Shawn Levy admitting to Variety that they’ve had their “hearts broken” by other shows’ finales.
The stakes for Stranger Things season five are higher than ever, both narratively and financially. Season four alone reportedly cost around $30 million per episode, with the upcoming final season projected to cost an astonishing $50 million to $60 million per episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This monumental investment underscores the immense pressure to deliver a conclusion that resonates positively with its massive audience.
Wolfhard’s Hope: “We Knew It Was Something Special”
Despite the initial trepidation, Finn Wolfhard’s fears appear to have been assuaged after diving into the scripts for the final season. “But then we read the scripts. We knew that it was something special,” he confidently shared, indicating a sense of relief and excitement among the cast regarding the direction the story is taking. This suggests a concerted effort by the Duffer Brothers to craft a finale that honors the show’s legacy and satisfies fan expectations.
Series co-creator Ross Duffer echoed this sentiment in a behind-the-scenes clip, stating, “This is the biggest season we’ve ever had in terms of action, in terms of visual effects, in terms of story.” He emphasized that “ultimately, what people want is to see these characters together one last time,” a goal that the final season aims to achieve with grand scope.
What Awaits in Hawkins: A Concluding Saga
The final season promises an epic showdown and definitive answers for fans. Mike and the gang will be on a mission to finally defeat the villainous Vecna, who has been mysteriously silent since the events of season four. Beyond the immediate threat, the season is also set to provide long-awaited revelations about the enigmatic Upside Down, a question that has plagued viewers since the show’s inception.
The release of Stranger Things season 5 will be split into three distinct volumes, offering fans a staggered but ultimately cohesive viewing experience:
- Volume 1: Drops November 26 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)
- Volume 2: Follows on Christmas Day
- The Finale: Arrives on New Year’s Eve
This phased release strategy aims to build suspense and allow fans to savor the concluding chapters of this generational story. As Finn Wolfhard put it, the season represents “the highest stakes that the show has ever been,” promising an emotional and action-packed farewell that the cast and crew hope will leave a lasting, positive legacy, successfully navigating the treacherous path to a satisfying series finale.
