Introduction

With Stranger Things Season 5 set to be the big ending of Netflix’s hit show, fans are guessing if past characters will come back.  

As we get closer to the final chapter of Hawkins’ crazy story, one thing is clear: the Duffer Brothers won’t make it easy for us.  

The show has surprised viewers before with shocking returns and emotional moments, so some old faces might show up again. But who could return, and how would their presence impact the final season?

Significance of returning characters in Stranger Things

Stranger Things has always been about nostalgia, whether its ‘80s pop culture references or its heartfelt character arcs. Bringing back old characters could mean a lot to fans:

  • Emotional Impact: Characters like Billy Hargrove or Eddie Munson made a big impact, and seeing them again—maybe in flashbacks, visions, or supernatural ways—could add depth to the story.
  • Unresolved storylines: Some characters’ stories didn’t fully end, like Dr. Brenner’s supposed death or Eddie’s sudden redemption arc that ended almost abruptly.
  • Wrapping it all up: As the final season, Season 5 is the last one, bringing back past characters could help close the story neatly and remind us of the show’s big ideas—like friendship, bravery, and facing fears.

Also read: Everything we know about the Stranger Things spin-off

Characters that could return in Season 5

1. Dr. Martin Brenner – Is he really dead?

Dr. Brenner, or “Papa,” could be a returning character in Stranger Things 5. He was killed in Season 4 when the military raided the secret underground lab. However, the Stranger Things universe has a thing for faking character deaths (e.g., what they did for Hopper in Season 3). In case Brenner is still alive, he might be very important in the last fight against Vecna.

2. Eddie Munson – The most requested return

Eddie Munson became an instant fan favorite in Season 4, thanks to his epic Metallica performance “MOST METAL EVER”. While he was left for dead in the Upside Down, theories suggest that he could return in multiple ways:

Eddie Munson had a huge fan base after Season 4 of his brave story and awesome guitar scene (Metallica performance “MOST METAL EVER”). Even though he died in the Upside Down, some fans think he might come back in different ways:

  • Resurrected as a vampire-like monster working for Vecna
  • A vision or memory influencing Dustin and the Hawkins gang.
  • A big surprise where the Upside Down brings him back to life

Eddie fans have lots of theories and are hoping to see him again in Season 5!

Also read: Stranger things death explained

3. Billy Hargrove – Flashbacks or visions?

Billy died as a hero in Season 3, sacrificing himself to save Eleven, his sister and gangs. But he might still come back in season 5, when one of the following happens.

  • Flashbacks showing his connection to Max.
  • A dream or visions, especially if Max struggles to recover from her Season 4 injuries.
  • The Upside Down manipulates his image, similar to how Vecna used him against Max.

4. Barb Holland – The ultimate fan justice?

Barb’s death in Season 1 shocked fans and started the famous “Justice for Barb” trend. She probably won’t come back to life, but a quick flashback or mention would be great to have in the final season.

5. Alexei – A possible cameo?

The friendly Russian scientist from Season 3 died, leaving many incomplete traces; but his work could still help El and the gang. They might find:

  • Old video tapes of his experiments
  • Secret notes about the Upside Down
  • A science trick that saved his thoughts

6. Other supporting characters from hawkins lab or the upside down

We have seen many characters being involved in past government experiments or connected to the Upside Down and they could make unexpected appearances. The show has hinted that the Upside Down might hold deeper secrets about consciousness and existence, so one way or other, we are going to see the lost characters—some or many again.

Also read: What will happen to Will Byers in Season 5?

How the characters could return

If these characters do make a comeback, here are some plausible ways:

  • A common storytelling device in Stranger Things, this would allow characters like Billy or Eddie to have emotional moments without rewriting their deaths.
  • The Upside Down may have the ability to reanimate people, either as echoes of their former selves or in twisted forms manipulated by Vecna.
  • Some fan theories suggest Season 5 might introduce time travel elements, allowing past characters to interact with the present timeline. This might be true or may not be. Let’s see what Duffer brothers is gonna do in final season.

Fan theories and evidence from the Duffer Brothers

The Duffer Brothers have said Season 5 will include big moments from earlier seasons. Some actors have also hinted at surprises, making fans think some characters might return. Finally, Joseph Quinn, who played Eddie, even said he’d like to come back—which made his and Stranger Things fans even more excited!

Will bringing back old characters be a good idea?

While fans love seeing their favorite characters return, bringing back too many could weaken the emotional weight of their original deaths. Duffer brothers might face a challenge for Stranger Things Season 5 by balancing everything with impactful storytelling.

Pros:

  • Gives closure to characters who had unresolved fates.
  • Offers emotional moments for the audience.
  • Enhances the final season’s epic, nostalgic feel.

Cons:

  • Risks cheapening past deaths if done poorly.
  • Could distract from the main story if overused.

Also read: What happens after Season 5 of Stranger Things?

Conclusion

Do we get a chance to see the old characters in Stranger Things Season 5? Probably not all of them, but a few might return—maybe in memories, dreams, or something more supernatural. As the show gets ready for its big ending in 2025, these comebacks could help finish old stories and give fans one last taste of that awesome ’80s vibe.