‘Stranger Things’ Creators Reveal Steve Harrington Was Almost Killed Off in Season 1

The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, have revealed that they almost killed Joe Keery‘s character, Steve Harrington, in Season 1.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Matt Duffer says that Steve Harrington nearly died in Season 1, a major “what if” for the series. But Keery’s charm and chemistry with the cast reportedly saved the character, transforming him from a disposable jock into a beloved fan favorite.

Matt said, “Steve Harrington, Joe Keery’s character, got close to dying back in Season 1.” He added, “We just fell in love with Joe Keery, but had we not liked Joe Keery, Steve would’ve been gone.”

Matt shared that he, Ross, and the writers “always talk about it” — referring to killing off main characters. “What often holds us back is that you have to consider the repercussions,” he explained. “This is a total hypothetical: you kill Mike. It just makes the show rather depressing and bleak, and it becomes entirely about that. Even these more supporting characters, like Eddie [Joseph Quinn], Bob [Sean Astin], or Barb [Shannon Purser], of course, have really long-lasting repercussions on our characters.”

Speaking to Extra TV, Keery said he’s “very happy” with how Steve Harrington’s ending turned out in Stranger Things Season 5 and believes fans will love it too.

He said, “I was very happy with the way it wrapped up for me. Fans will absolutely like it.”

Here’s the full synopsis for Stranger Things 5:

“The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown.

Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.

The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.”

The cast of Stranger Things 5 includes Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Keery as Steve Harrington, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Brett Gelman as Murray, Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna, Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler, Amybeth McNulty as Vickie, Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler, Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow, Alex Breaux as Lt. Akers, and Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay.

The final season of Stranger Things will premiere on Netflix in three parts:

• Volume 1 – November 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM PT (4 episodes)
• Volume 2 – Christmas Day, 2025, at 5:00 PM PT (3 episodes)
• Finale Episode – New Year’s Eve, 2025, at 5:00 PM PT (1 episode)