Jake Connelly, the 14-year-old actor who portrayed Derek Turnbow in the final season of Stranger Things, has secured a role in the upcoming thriller Blood on the Ice. The film is currently in production in central Illinois.
Connelly's Breakout Role and New Project
Connelly first appeared in the 2022 short film Between the Silence before his breakthrough performance in Stranger Things as Derek Turnbow, a character who evolved from an adversary to a key ally in the fight against Vecna. Now, he joins a cast that includes Kelli Garner (The Aviator), Peter DeFaria (Chicago Fire), and Kale Clauson (Killing It).
Plot and Production Details
The official synopsis for Blood on the Ice reads: "A woman's solitary ice-fishing trip on a frozen lake takes a sinister turn when her belongings begin to vanish, drawing her into a fight for survival where past demons and real-world threats collide." Production began in February 2026, though no release date has been announced.
Director Justin Hayward described the film to Dread Central as being "rooted in place and pressure," adding: "The Midwest winter isn't just a backdrop - it actively shapes the film's tone and the characters' decisions."
Connelly's Upcoming Film Bear Boy
In addition to Blood on the Ice, Connelly is attached to star in Bear Boy, a coming-of-age adventure drama currently in pre-production. He will play Noah Seed alongside Winslow Fegley (Lyle, Lyle Crocodile) and newcomer Zoe Ziegler.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.
