Is Stranger Things Ending? Cast Promises “Best Episode Ever”

During a live recording of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast (reported by Variety), David Harbour disclosed that the cast of “Stranger Things” experienced “uncontrollable crying” while reading the script for the series’ concluding episode. The fifth and final season, set to premiere in 2025, though an exact release date remains unannounced by Netflix, will feature eight episodes wrapping up the narrative arcs of Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Max, Will, Lucas, and others.

Harbour even labeled the finale as the “best episode they’ve ever produced,” adding, “They land the plane.“

“By the middle of this [final] episode, as we were reading it—just reading it—people started to cry,” Harbour recounted. “Then, towards the last 20 minutes, there was just uncontrollable weeping, waves of it from different people. Noah Schnapp was my favorite.“

He continued: “I think it’s partly because for these kids, it was their childhood. We’re 10 years down the line now, and we’re reflecting on that idea, and it’s done so beautifully and so powerfully… It’s an incredible episode, and a phenomenal season. You’re going to love it.“

Noah Schnapp, whom he mentioned, along with his young co-stars from “Stranger Things,” were between 11 and 14 years old when they began filming the hit Netflix series. They have indeed grown up on set and are now in their twenties as the series nears its conclusion.

David Harbour has portrayed the beloved Jim Hopper since the pilot episode. In an interview with Discussing Film last year, the actor expressed his readiness for the series to conclude, despite the bittersweet feelings associated with it.

“It’s funny, when I started on the show, I never wanted it to end. That’s why I love it. I think it’s a great show, even if I weren’t in it. It’s been almost nine years since we shot the first season, and I think it’s time for it to end,” he said.

He added, “But of course, it’s a bittersweet moment. There’s a certain sadness. But also, we’ve all grown up. It’s time for us to leave this nest and try different things and new projects. And let the Duffer Brothers try new things as well. I mean, these guys are so talented. I want to see what they come up with next. So it’s a bittersweet moment, but it’s definitely time.“

“Stranger Things” (and Hopper) will be sorely missed.

As we await the fifth and final season, the first four chapters of the show are available for rewatching exclusively on Netflix.

Also, check out the bloopers and small errors from season 4 in the video below: