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Stranger Things Season 4 Cast: Full List & New Faces

Noah Lucas Campbell Foster • 2026-04-23 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

If you’ve been watching the Upside Down get weirder with every season, you already know that Season 4 brought more than just creepy new villains — it brought a wave of fresh faces. From the moment a cheerleader named Chrissy appeared on screen, viewers scrambled to find out who was playing who. The cast roster expanded dramatically, blending the original Hawkins crew with a crop of international guest stars, and the episode counts told their own story about who’s become essential versus who’s just passing through.

Episodes: 9 · Core Returning Cast: 8 · New Cast Additions: Multiple guest stars · Premiere Year: 2022 · Key Platforms Listing Cast: IMDb, Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact ranking of actors by net worth
  • Full LGBTQ cast specifics beyond wiki categories
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Season 5 expected to tie up the series
  • Core ensemble likely to return in expanded roles
Label Value
Season 4
Episodes 9
Premiere Platform Netflix
Top Cast Source IMDb list ls565878285
Wiki Page Stranger Things season 4

Who is the cast of Stranger Things 4?

The core ensemble from Hawkins that’s carried the show through three seasons returns largely intact, with most appearing across all nine episodes. According to cast listings on Wikipedia and Fandom Wiki, several actors saw their episode counts shift compared to previous seasons.

Returning core ensemble

The show’s foundation remains the Byers family and their circle of friends. Winona Ryder reportedly stars as Joyce Byers, with David Harbour returning as Jim Hopper from his Russian captivity arc. Millie Bobby Brown appears as Eleven throughout all nine episodes, reportedly taking on some of the season’s most emotionally demanding material.

Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers

Ryder has been with the series since Episode 1, playing the fiercely protective mother who first suspected something strange was happening in Hawkins. Wikipedia lists her among the main cast for Season 4.

David Harbour as Jim Hopper

After being imprisoned in Russia at the end of Season 3, Hopper reportedly returns as a changed man. His Russian storyline continues this season, and according to Den of Geek, his arc involves navigating both physical recovery and the emotional fallout of his absence from Hawkins.

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven

The franchise’s anchor actor reportedly appears in all nine episodes as Eleven, whose PSI abilities continue to evolve. The character’s move to California in Season 4 reportedly creates new social challenges alongside the supernatural ones. Wikipedia confirms her main cast billing.

The kids: Wolfhard, Matarazzo, McLaughlin, Schnapp, Sink

Finn Wolfhard appears as Mike Wheeler, reportedly maintaining his role as Eleven’s boyfriend and the group’s de facto leader in Will’s absence. Gaten Matarazzo reportedly brings Dustin Henderson back for all nine episodes, while Caleb McLaughlin’s Lucas Sinclair and Noah Schnapp’s Will Byers show varying availability — 9/9 and 8/9 respectively, per Fandom Wiki. Sadie Sink reportedly plays Max Mayfield in a season that reportedly puts her character through extraordinary emotional events, with Belle Henry also listed as Young Max.

The upshot

The kids carry the emotional weight this season, but their episode counts reveal a split: Dustin and Lucas are in every episode, while Will and Max have slightly lighter loads that create space for their characters’ quieter character work.

Who is the new character in Stranger Things season 4?

Season 4 reportedly introduced its largest crop of new recurring and guest characters in the show’s run, according to Den of Geek. These range from major antagonists to minor players whose presence reshapes the Hawkins landscape.

Chrissy Cunningham introduction

The cheerleader played by Grace Van Dien reportedly opens Season 4 as Hawkins’ popular girl with a dark secret — literally. Chrissy reportedly seeks help from Eddie Munson the Hellfire Club leader, and according to character descriptions, “beneath the seemingly perfect surface lies a dark secret.” Den of Geek notes this marks her as one of the season’s first victims.

Russian storyline cast

Beyond Hopper’s Russian imprisonment, the storyline reportedly features a peanut butter smuggler named Yuri Ismaylov, played by Nikola Đuričko in a recurring role across 6 episodes. Tom Wlaschiha reportedly appears as Dmitri Antonov (also known as Enzo), a guard who develops an unexpected alliance with Hopper, reportedly appearing in 8 of 9 episodes, per Fandom Wiki.

Guest stars overview

Beyond the recurring additions, Season 4 reportedly brought in notable names including horror legend Robert Englund as Victor Creel, whose family incident is set in the 1950s Hawkins. Sherman Augustus appears as Lt. Colonel Jack Sullivan in 6 episodes, reportedly serving as a military presence who believes he knows how to stop the new evil in Hawkins.

“The kids are all Freddy’s children now! Robert Englund plays Victor Creel.”

— Den of Geek

“A lot of new faces in addition to most of the old faces.”

— Den of Geek, reviewer

Why this matters

The casting of Robert Englund — whose career spans from A Nightmare on Elm Street to countless horror franchises — signals the show’s intention to honor its genre roots with serious genre talent.

Who is the girl at the start of Stranger Things season 4?

The opening scene of Season 4 reportedly introduces viewers to Chrissy Cunningham, portrayed by Grace Van Dien. According to Fandom Wiki, Grace Van Dien’s casting was announced on June 9, 2021, alongside other new additions.

Chrissy Cunningham role

Chrissy reportedly functions as a new type of victim for Vecna — a popular, seemingly well-adjusted cheerleader whose interactions with Eddie Munson drive the season’s early tension. The character appears only in the premiere episode, yet her impact reportedly reverberates throughout the season.

Played by Grace Van Dien

Van Dien reportedly brings Chrissy to life in a role that subverts audience expectations about who’s “safe” in Hawkins. Her brief screen time reportedly establishes her as someone wrestling with personal struggles the show initially keeps hidden from viewers.

The catch

Chrissy appears in just one episode out of nine, yet her opening scene reportedly sets up the season’s central mystery — she’s the first victim whose ordinary life makes the supernatural threat feel uncomfortably close to home for Hawkins’ other teenagers.

Who are the Russian cast members in Stranger Things season 4?

The Russian storyline reportedly continues from Season 3, but expands significantly in scope and character depth. Wikipedia and Fandom Wiki list several actors tied to this narrative thread.

Yuri and Enzo characters

Nikola Đuričko reportedly plays Yuri Ismaylov, a peanut butter smuggler whose opportunism drives some of the season’s Russian plot. His character reportedly contrasts with Tom Wlaschiha’s Enzo, who reportedly serves as a guard at the Soviet facility before forming an uneasy partnership with Hopper.

Angela’s role

Elodie Grace Orkin reportedly appears as Angela, a bully at Lenora High School who targets Eleven during her adjustment to the California school. Angela reportedly appears in three episodes, per Fandom Wiki, creating social conflict that grounds the supernatural drama in realistic teenage struggles.

What to watch

The Russian storyline’s emotional core reportedly hinges on Hopper’s relationship with Enzo — their unlikely alliance reportedly provides some of the season’s most human moments amid the espionage and monster-fighting.

Who are the guest stars in Stranger Things season 4?

According to Den of Geek, the new guest stars span a wide range from genre royalty to fresh faces. Beyond the characters already discussed, the season reportedly features several notable additions.

Notable additions like Suzie

Suzie Bingham reportedly returns in Season 4, promoted from a guest appearance in Season 3 to recurring status in two episodes, per Fandom Wiki. Her reappearance reportedly maintains the character’s role as Dustin’s love interest and occasional source of comic relief.

LGBTQ representation in cast

Several cast members’ characters reportedly represent LGBTQ relationships on screen. Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) reportedly continues her arc as an out queer character, while Vickie Dunne (Amybeth McNulty), introduced this season as Robin’s love interest, reportedly appears in three episodes. Amybeth McNulty’s casting reportedly was announced on June 9, 2021.

Other notable guest appearances

Dacre Montgomery reportedly returns as Billy Hargrove in two episodes, providing closure for a character whose arc reportedly ends in Season 4. Jamie Campbell Bower reportedly appears as Vecna/Henry Creel/001 throughout all nine episodes, marking one of the season’s largest episode commitments for a new character.

Upsides

  • Season 4 has 9 episodes giving expanded screen time
  • Several characters promoted from recurring to main cast (Murray Bauman, Priah Ferguson)
  • Variety of new character types: horror legend, newcomers, international talent

Downsides

  • Some promising new characters appear in only 1-3 episodes
  • Limited episode counts for supporting players reduce their narrative impact
Bottom line: Grace Van Dien’s single-episode appearance as Chrissy Cunningham sets the season’s tone despite minimal screen time, demonstrating how even brief guest roles can drive the central mystery of Season 4.

Related reading: Mercredi Saison 2 Cast · How to Train Your Dragon Cast

Returning favorites like Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and David Harbour as Hopper join new faces such as Chrissy and Yuri, as explored in the full Season 4 cast guide.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the richest actor in Stranger Things?

Net worth figures for the cast vary and aren’t consistently reported across authoritative sources. Millie Bobby Brown reportedly commands premium rates as the franchise’s lead, while other cast members’ earnings depend on their specific deals and appearances.

Is Dustin’s girlfriend Suzie real?

Yes — Suzie Bingham reportedly appears in Season 4, promoted from guest star to recurring status across two episodes. The character reportedly returns in her role as Dustin’s love interest, though her screen time remains limited.

Is Eleven a girl or a boy?

Eleven (Jane Hopper) is a girl. Millie Bobby Brown portrays the character, who was taken from her mother as an infant and raised in Hawkins National Laboratory before escaping and being adopted by the Byers family.

Who plays Eleven in Stranger Things season 4?

Millie Bobby Brown reportedly plays Eleven, appearing in all nine episodes as the character’s abilities evolve and her California storyline develops alongside the return to Hawkins.

Who are the main returning cast in Stranger Things season 4?

Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), and Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield) reportedly lead the ensemble.

Does Suzie appear in later seasons?

Suzie Bingham reportedly appears in Season 4 as a recurring character across two episodes, per Fandom Wiki. Her appearance in future seasons depends on narrative needs.

Who plays the main roles in Stranger Things season 4?

The main cast reportedly includes the original Hawkins kids and their adult allies, with the addition of some recurring players promoted to main billing like Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) and Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson).

Who is LGBTQ in Stranger Things?

Several characters reportedly represent LGBTQ identities in the series. Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) is an out queer character, and new additions like Vickie Dunne (Amybeth McNulty) reportedly represent queer relationships on screen.



Noah Lucas Campbell Foster

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Noah Lucas Campbell Foster

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