The Stranger Things Creators on Why They Killed Off Four Beloved Characters

by

The creators of *Stranger Things*, twin brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, don’t like killing off characters. However, because the show is inspired by 1980s horror and adventure movies, the villains—like Vecna and the Mind Flayer—need to eliminate characters to feel like a genuine threat. So, while the Duffers try to avoid it, characters do sometimes die, and fans always have strong reactions when they do.

The show’s creators don’t take character deaths lightly. As Matt Duffer explains, they want each death to feel significant and have lasting consequences throughout the story. That’s why they carefully consider who dies, ensuring it impacts the plot in a major way. For example, Nancy spent much of Season 2 trying to avenge her friend Barb, who was an early victim of the monster. Season 4 focused on Max dealing with the grief of losing her brother Billy. And the Duffer brothers hint that Eddie’s death near the end of Season 4 will deeply affect Dustin in the upcoming Season 5.

For a recent cover story, TIME spent months following the production of the fifth and final season of *Stranger Things*. I observed the Duffer brothers directing a large action sequence on location in Atlanta in spring 2024, and then spoke with them at length in Los Angeles the following summer as they edited the footage. During our conversations about bringing the story to a close, we discussed the impact of certain character deaths on fans.

The Duffer Brothers, creators of the show, reacted with amusement to questions about popular characters who died – particularly Barb. As the series wraps up, they shared some thoughts on their writing process, explaining why they sometimes create characters knowing they’ll die and how difficult it was to film those scenes with actors they liked. They revealed a pattern: the main characters generally survive, while breakout characters like Bob and Eddie often don’t. However, with the stakes higher than ever in the final season, fans are wondering if this rule might be broken.

Below, the Duffers reflect on some of the most impactful deaths in the show’s run.

Barb

Barb’s death quickly became a major talking point online, marking the first time the show went viral. Even though actress Shannon Purser only appeared in a few episodes of the first season, she resonated with viewers. When her character seemingly disappeared and wasn’t given much attention, fans protested, creating the hashtag #JusticeforBarb.

The Duffer brothers believe one reason Barb remained a memorable character is because of the actress, Shannon Purser, who they discovered while she was working at a movie theater. Matt Duffer explains they created Barb to give Nancy a clear link to the strange events unfolding in the story. They were drawn to the idea of a smart, academic girl who was also trying to fit in with a more popular group – a dynamic they both experienced in high school.

“We were Barb in high school, though,” Ross clarifies. “We weren’t Nancy.”

Matt explained that losing friends, specifically someone named Nancy, felt devastating. While they survived the experience, he said it felt like a part of them had died inside.

The Duffer brothers were surprised by how much attention Barb’s death received, considering she only had a small role in the show with about 25 lines. However, some Netflix executives had predicted the strong reaction. According to Ross Duffer, they repeatedly received notes while writing the first season asking about Barb and whether her fate was being considered. The brothers felt the story was primarily focused on Will and other plotlines, but the feedback highlighted the audience’s connection to Barb.

Matt explained they initially hesitated to involve Barb’s family, feeling they didn’t have the time or resources. However, Netflix pushed for it, and it turned out they had a point. While they might have benefited from showing more of Barb, the limited attention she received in the show was actually intentional – it contributed to her character’s impact and highlighted the town’s indifference, which was a key part of the story.

Ross believes everything ultimately turned out well for Barb. He explains that they and the town of Hawkins both overlooked her, and that ultimately contributed to her becoming more well-known.

Bob

Similar to Barb, the character of Bob was originally intended to die. However, after Sean Astin—known for his roles in *The Goonies* and *Lord of the Rings*—was cast, the writers found him so charming that they changed Bob into a lovable, nerdy character. They even postponed his death, initially planned for the third episode of Season 2, until the very end of the season.

I remember Ross explaining that they really didn’t want to turn Will into someone who’d actually *kill* Bob, because then the audience wouldn’t be able to root for Will anymore. It was a tough spot! So, they decided to have the Demodogs be the ones responsible – it felt like the best way to handle it and still keep Will sympathetic.

Winona Ryder and Sean Astin developed a strong connection, making his character’s death scene a very emotional experience for both of them. Interestingly, they were filming a somewhat silly scene at the same time. The visual effects team needed someone to act as a Demodog, and they decided their writer, Kate Trefry, was the right size for the role. So, Kate ended up pretending to attack Sean from above.

Ross also mentioned that Sean really enjoyed the scene, repeatedly asking for more fake blood to spit out. Despite the emotional weight of the scene and Sean’s reluctance to finish filming, Ross described the day as both strange and enjoyable.

As a huge fan, one thing I always notice about *Stranger Things* is how much it loves paying tribute to classic filmmakers like Steven Spielberg. The Duffer Brothers – Matt, in particular – have said that the character Quint from *Jaws* was a major inspiration for one scene. Apparently, though, their mom thought they *really* went for it with the violence and gave them a bit of a talking-to about it! It’s funny to think about the creators getting scolded for being too inspired by their childhood favorites.

Billy

Billy’s character wouldn’t exist as we know him without Steve’s development. Joe Keery was initially intended to play a villain, a popular guy interested in Nancy. However, the creators, the Duffer brothers, changed the character and his storyline after casting Keery.

According to Ross, Joe Keery’s charming performance led them to change the Steve Harrington character. Initially intended as a disliked jock, Steve became a friend to Dustin and a caretaker for the younger kids by Season 2. They originally envisioned Steve as a cruel bully, and that’s the kind of personality they were aiming for when developing Max’s brother.

Billy, played by Dacre Montgomery, was a new, troubled character who bullied Max and her friends. The creators always intended for Billy to die, planning a story around his possession. However, Montgomery asked for a more detailed backstory to explain Billy’s cruel behavior, particularly towards Max and Lucas. This led to the addition of a scene showing Billy being scolded by his father. While Billy never becomes a hero like Steve, the writers wanted to hint at a hidden goodness within him.

In Season 3, viewers briefly see a happier side of Billy through Eleven’s journey into his memories, revealing a joyful childhood with his mother. This inherent goodness ultimately drives his decision to protect Eleven during the final battle. According to Matt, Billy wasn’t inherently bad; difficult life circumstances led him down a darker path. Eleven connects with the innocent child he once was, and that’s the version of Billy we see at the end.

But, he adds, “I don’t think it’s a redemption moment for him.”

The Duffer brothers didn’t plan to focus on Max’s grief after Billy’s death until they began writing the fourth season. They knew Sadie Sink was a talented actress and wanted to give her a complex emotional storyline to work with, according to Matt Duffer.

Eddie

Matt explains they struggled to find the right actor for Eddie. Initially, they had a version of the character that just wasn’t working – he was irritating and unpleasant. They needed someone with a lot of charm, making it the most difficult casting decision they’d faced for the show.

Joseph Quinn delivered a captivating performance as Eddie, a character reminiscent of a young Robert Downey Jr. Eddie is the leader of the school’s *Dungeons & Dragons* club, and also deals drugs. When a series of mysterious deaths occur in Hawkins, many residents suspect Eddie is involved, believing the deaths may be connected to the occult.

Ross explains they quickly realized Joe Quinn was a standout performer after filming began. However, just three weeks into production in 2020, the pandemic forced a shutdown. Surprisingly, this pause proved helpful for the writers. Having already filmed scenes with Quinn, they could refine his character, Eddie Munson, knowing he would be a crucial, though infrequent, part of the season’s storyline.

Like many characters in *Stranger Things*, Eddie was always likely to make a heroic sacrifice. According to Matt, deciding to kill him off was difficult, especially because of the connection fans had with both Eddie and the actor, Joseph Quinn. However, after Chrissy’s death in his trailer, linked to a secret drug deal, his fate was sealed. The town would inevitably blame Eddie for the murder, and the creators felt even if he survived, his life would still be filled with hardship – likely ending in prison. His story was always meant to be a tragedy.

Read More

2025-10-17 02:07