Winona Ryder “fought for Joyce’s flaws” in Stranger Things

Winona Ryder “fought for Joyce’s flaws” in Stranger Things

As a fan who has grown up with Winona Ryder’s exceptional acting prowess, it’s been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride watching her breathe life into Joyce Byers in Stranger Things. From her heart-wrenching desperation to save her son Will, to her fierce determination against the terrifying forces of the Upside Down, Ryder has truly become an embodiment of resilience and strength for us viewers.


The popular series “Stranger Things” is nearing the end of its production process for its fifth and last season, a journey that began nearly a decade ago with Winona Ryder (Joyce). She’s been through quite a rollercoaster ride, from desperately searching for her lost son Will in the nightmarish Upside Down to battling waves of monstrous creatures such as the Demogorgon, the Mind Flayer, and ultimately Vecna.

In the initial stages of the show, the creators Matt and Ross Duffer envisioned Joyce, played by Winona Ryder, as a more assertive character, resembling a superhero mother. However, the portrayal we saw in season 1 was different, with Joyce being determined and desperate to save her son, but not without her boundaries.

As I chatted with Esquire, I openly admitted my deep connection to Joyce’s imperfections. I didn’t yearn for her to be a superhero, but rather, I wanted her to embody the real-life struggles of women portrayed in ’70s and ’80s films – everyday heroines striving their best. I drew significant inspiration from Meryl Streep’s performance in Silkwood.

Moreover, Ryder elaborated on why she was chosen for the part. It’s worth noting that her prominence in the 80s and 90s, particularly due to her performance in Beetlejuice, played a significant role when it came to working on a series that celebrates many ’80s films. “From being the youngest cast member to being the oldest,” she remarked, “I’m not unaware of the reasons they approached me for this. I understand there’s a touch of nostalgia [in her casting]. I am cognizant.”

Interestingly, Winona Ryder didn’t initially anticipate her current acting career at her current age. Least of all, she didn’t envision herself starring on “Stranger Things” for nearly a decade. She once expressed, “I never thought [this would last]. At first, I was like, ‘I don’t want to be doing this when I’m in my fifties!’ It’s hard to believe, and it’s even harder to believe that I’m at this age.”

In the near future, you’ll see Ryder once again on television screens, starring in “Beetlejuice 2,” a sequel to Tim Burton’s cherished 1988 film titled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” The sequel is set to debut on September 6. Regarding the final season of “Stranger Things,” a release date hasn’t been announced yet, but we can anticipate it sometime around 2025.

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2024-08-30 19:41

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