[This story contains major spoilers from Stranger Things season five, Volume 1.]
It’s the fall of 1987 and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) are back with the rest of the Hawkins gang; however, the chaos isn’t slowing down in Netflix‘s Stranger Things season five, Volume 1, as they’re all united on a common goal to take down big bad Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).
Their plans have gotten complicated with their town of Hawkins being placed under military quarantine following the regular world merging with the Upside Down at the end of season four. On top of that, the military, led by new castmember Linda Hamilton’s Dr. Kay, is also hunting down Eleven.
In the first volume of a three-part release of the final season of the Duffer Brothers’ beloved hit series, the group’s search for Vecna also intensifies when Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) vanishes and Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono) is left in critical condition after being attacked by a Demogorgon. When they realize Vecna is targeting other children in Hawkins, Eleven and Jim Hopper (David Harbour) continue their Upside Down search, while the rest of the ensemble helps from the real world, thanks to Will’s connection to the villain after his season one disappearance.
“It’s cool when they tie everything back to the beginning. It was perfectly done,” Schnapp tells The Hollywood Reporter of season five. “It was really satisfying, and I think that’s what speaks to most of this season, especially with Eleven’s arc — getting those answers and satisfaction to closing these storylines.”
But in a bombshell twist in the Volume 1 finale, the group’s plan to save the children fails as they’re all dragged into the Upside Down when Vecna makes his grand return. But just when Vecna thinks he’s finished off the Hawkins gang, with the assistance of the Demogorgons, Will unlocks his own powers, saving his friends.
Below, Brown and Schnapp unpack each of their characters’ wild season five moments so far, talk about how Will and Eleven have changed since season one and what they’re going to miss most about the show. They also tease what’s coming ahead in Volume 2 and the series finale.
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After being with these characters for nearly a decade, what’s going through both your minds as you prepare to bring this series to a close?
MILLIE BOBBY BROWN I’m so grateful and honored. I cherish every second I get to spend with the people, but also my character.
NOAH SCHNAPP I feel the same. I’m so grateful.
In Volume 1, viewers really see the connection between what happened to Will in season one and how it still impacts him five seasons later. Noah, how much did you enjoy seeing Will have much more control over his connection to Vecna and the Upside Down?
SCHNAPP I did enjoy it a lot. I was really excited to step into the role this season and get to face Vecna. I hadn’t gotten to do that before — to even work with him — and he’s [Jamie Campbell Bower] an incredible actor. Just facing him on set helped fuel that fear in me for real, because he’s terrifying. And getting to explore these new colors of Will, who is stronger and more defiant, was really fun. Those were my favorite scenes to film.
Noah Schnapp as Will Byers with Maya Hawke as Robin in season five.
Netflix
So far, this connection has been beneficial to Will and the Hawkins gang. Could that change for the worse later this season?
SCHNAPP Definitely. We’ll see in Volume 1 how that unfolds, but definitely there’s a lot more room in the season to go.
Noah, what was your reaction when you first learned that Vecna had actually been there since the beginning, and was actually with Will in season one?
SCHNAPP That was crazy! Seeing the first five minutes and then Vecna walks out, I was like, “Oh, that’s cool. Vecna was there!” It’s cool when they tie everything back into the beginning. It was perfectly done. It was really satisfying. I think that’s what speaks to most of this season, especially with Eleven’s arc — getting those answers and satisfaction to closing these storylines.
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in season five.
Netflix
Millie, compared to season one Eleven, what was it like playing a much more confident version of your character in season five?
BROWN It didn’t feel like a new version, but like a gradual evolution. She was almost there in season four. Maybe had she not gotten bullied by Angela, she might have gotten there. She was trying. Honestly, we hate her, but maybe she gave her exactly what she needed to believe that she’s OK without her powers and she should be confident in who she is without her powers. So it taught her a lot. But I do think it was more of a gradual evolution. So when we got to season five, I felt ready to do it.
In these initial episodes, why do you think Eleven is having such a tough time breaking through this living wall where she and Hopper found the Upside Down, even with her powers? Do you think she might be struggling with her powers again?
BROWN I’m excited for people to know why and find out why, but I actually think she’s the most locked into her powers this year. She’s training for a reason; she’s leveled up in many ways.
Dr. Kay is a new threat this season, and we know she is also hiding someone from the Upside Down. Millie, can we expect showdowns between her and Eleven, similar to previous ones with Dr. Brenner?
BROWN First of all, Linda Hamilton — icon, legend, WTF. She is amazing! I was really excited to be able to see her come onto our squad. She delivers in every way you can expect. Naturally, she’s hunting Eleven and we’ll see if she catches her or not.
Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay in season five.
Netflix
After Eleven was separated from Hopper for most of season four, what was it like getting to reunite with David Harbour this season, especially with all your scenes together in just Volume 1?
BROWN It was so nice because most of last season we weren’t able to be together. Being able to come back together on season five was really exciting. It was quite nostalgic because it reminded me so much of seasons two and three, where we were both butting heads. She’s growing up, she’s trying to find her own voice and he’s trying to parent, and that dynamic comes back into play once again. I’m really excited for people to see that. I think some of everyone’s favorite scenes of Eleven are Ele and [Hopper], so I’m really excited to have that come to screen once again.
From the first four episodes, is there a moment or scene you’re most proud of from a performance standpoint?
BROWN I know which one, but it’s so much later. … Actually, the first few minutes of [episode] two. We’re going in with Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and seeing Karen Wheeler, and making the decision to finally go into the Upside Down. She doesn’t need much persuading. She wants to get in there and fight for her friends.
SCHNAPP Probably at the end of four, I would say.
BROWN Oh, my God! Episode four, at the end, I was floored. I was like, “Oh my God, that’s my best friend.”
Following these intense episodes in Volume 1, can you tease what we can expect from the rest of the season?
SCHNAPP So many emotions.
BROWN So many. Grab popcorn, grab tissues, hold hands.
Are you happy with how the series ends overall, and the endings for each of your characters?
BROWN Yes.
What are you both going to miss the most about Stranger Things?
SCHNAPP I’m going to miss the people who I got to work with and the best friends I got to make that I’ll keep with me forever.
BROWN I feel the same way. The people, the crew, the cast, the Duffers, Shawn [Levy], Netflix — they’ve taken care of us so well.
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Season five of Stranger Things will be released in three parts: Volume 1 (consisting of four episodes) is now streaming on Netflix — Volume 2 releases on Christmas (three episodes) and The Finale on New Year’s Eve. Check out THR‘s season five coverage here.
