Stranger Things kids then and now: How the cast have changed in the nine years since season 1

Stranger Things has been running almost as long as the decade that inspired it – but in a matter of weeks, the supernatural series will finally reach its end.

After a more than three-year wait, the fifth and final season of the hit Netflix show will be released in three parts, with the first four episodes coming on November 26.

Given Stranger Things debuted in 2016, it’s safe to say its young stars have changed a lot in that time – particularly the main quintet, who were all aged between 11 and 14 when the first season aired.

Of course, they all look different physically, but their off-screen lives have transformed too.

They’ve all entered adulthood with plenty of varied roles under their belts – and, in the case of Millie Bobby Brown, there’s been a wedding and a baby, too.

Keep scrolling – and pull the ‘sliders’ across the photos – to see how the young stars who’ve been in Stranger Things all along have changed from Season 1 to Season 5.

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Millie Bobby Brown

Then: Millie Bobby Brown was 12 when she starred as Eleven, the protagonist of Stranger Things, in Season 1.

Now: In the past nine years, the English actress, 21, has added plenty of roles to her CV, from action films like Godzilla: King of the Monsters and The Electric State to Enola Holmes. She’s also launched a beauty and fashion line, Florence by Mills, and tried her hand at producing.

Off-screen, Brown is married to Jake Bongiovi, the son of rocker Jon Bongiovi, and the couple adopted a child earlier this year.

Finn Wolfhard

Then: Finn Wolfhard was 13 when he brought Mike Wheeler to life on our screens.

Now: The Canadian actor, 22, has stuck to the ’80s supernatural world with his biggest Hollywood roles – in the It remake and its sequel It Chapter Two, and Ghostbusters sequels Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. He’s also earned writing and directing credits.

Wolfhard is also a musician, part of the bands Calpurnia and The Audreys.

Noah Schnapp

Then: Noah Schnapp was the youngest of the quintet at age 11 when he appeared (and then disappeared) as Will Byers.

Now: The American actor, 21, has gone on to star in movies including Abe and Waiting for Anya, and has done some voice work. He also found fame as a YouTuber.

Schnapp has also ventured into food, launching a snack company and a virtual restaurant brand.

Caleb McLaughlin

Then: Caleb McLaughlin was 14 when his time as Lucas Sinclair began.

Now: The American actor, 24, had plenty of TV and on-stage credits (including as Simba in Broadway’s The Lion King) to his name when Stranger Things began; he has since made the move to the big screen, with roles in Concrete Cowboy, Shooting Stars and The Deliverance.

Gaten Matarazzo

Then: Gaten Matarazzo was 13 in his first season as fan-favourite Dustin Henderson.

Now: After Stranger Things debuted, the American actor, 23, has made more big and small screen appearances, including hosting the hidden camera series Prank Encounters. He’s also returned to his Broadway roots, starring in Dear Evan Hanson and Sweeney Todd.

And now for the older “kids” of the show, who, in that great Hollywood tradition, were all in their 20s as they played high school students…

Natalia Dyer

Then: Natalia Dyer was 21 when she first appeared as Mike’s big sister Nancy Dyer in Season 1.

Now: Since 2016, the American actress, 30, has starred in TV series Based On A True Story and movies including Velvet Buzzsaw, Things Heard & Seen and All Fun And Games.

Dyer has been in a relationship with Stranger Things co-star (and on-screen love interest) Charlie Heaton during the show’s entire nine-year run.

Joe Keery

Then: Joe Keery was 24 when we were first introduced to the cool guy with a heart of gold (and great hair), Steve Harrington.

Now: The American actor, 33, has picked up roles in Molly’s Game, Free Guy and the TV series Fargo, but these days he’s arguably better known for his music.

Keery founded (and left) the band Post Animal before embarking on a solo career as Djo. He’s released three albums and had huge success with the song End of Beginning.

Charlie Heaton

Then: Charlie Heaton was 22 when he played Will’s big brother Jonathan Byers.

Now: The English actor, 31, has picked up some TV and movie roles in the past nine years, including Marrowbone, As You Are, The New Mutants and No Future.

He’s in a relationship with Stranger Things co-star Natalia Dyer.

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