Did the Duffer Brothers just hint at this beloved Stranger Things character’s death?
The second half of Stranger Things season 5 is out soon (Netflix)
By this point, all Stranger Things fans are very aware that few characters are safe from a sudden and jarring death. Barb, Bob, Billy Hargrove, Eddie Munson… all taken from us far too early by the Duffer Brothers. R.I.P.
Now, it seems as if series creators the Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross, have hinted that another fan-favourite may end up getting killed off in the second half of the fifth season: None other than Steve ‘baseball bat full of nails’ Harrington, a.k.a. the best babysitter in Hawkins, played by Joe Keery.
Steve is particularly beloved by LGBTQ+ fans, due to his touching friendship with lesbian character Robin (Maya Hawke).
In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the brothers were asked to recreate the ending of season five using Funko POP! dolls, and what they did shocked a lot of viewers.
First, Ross took Barb’s doll, asked what it was doing with the others, and then placed it on the floor, which isn’t hugely surprising given the fact she’s been dead since season one. Jimmy Fallon seemed quite disappointed by this, saying that he had always rooted for her to make a surprise return.
After that, they put Eleven in a glass of water, then put Will on top of Henry (kinky) and Vecna on top of Will (even kinkier). But that wasn’t the most shocking moment. They put Steve’s doll on the edge of the table, only to push it off, suggesting he’s about to be added to the Stranger Things Wiki list of untimely deaths, along with the 393 rats that were turned into goo in season three.
Fallon subsequently remarked that was how Stranger Things ended. We certainly hope not.
Fans weren’t exactly happy with the “reveal”, to say the least. “They better not be killing off Steve,” one user commented on X. Another added: “I’ll never watch another thing they make if they kill Steve.”
A third fan speculated that Steve would suffer an attack that might make his friends believe he is dead, but instead he shows up and hugs Dustin in an emotional reunion.
At least we don’t have too long to wait to find out. Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 will premiere on Netflix on December 25, 2025. The finale will be added to the streaming service on December 31, 2025.
