As the highly anticipated fifth and final season of Stranger Things prepares to hit Netflix screens, fans are discovering there's much more to the beloved cast than their acting talents. The sci-fi phenomenon that captivated audiences since its 2016 debut features several cast members with impressive musical careers that might surprise viewers.
The Final Season Release Schedule
Stranger Things makes its grand return for season five on November 27, treating fans to four brand new episodes set in autumn 1987. According to the official synopsis, Hawkins remains scarred by the opening of the Rifts, with our heroes united by a single mission: track down and eliminate season four's villain, Vecna.
Viewers should prepare for a staggered release pattern, with the second part of three additional episodes arriving on Boxing Day, December 26. The epic series finale will then drop on New Year's Day 2026, marking the conclusion of the cultural phenomenon.
Musical Talents Beyond Hawkins
The Stranger Things ensemble boasts remarkable musical diversity, with several cast members establishing significant careers outside their on-screen roles.
Joe Keery's Chart Success
Joe Keery, who transformed from season one's unlikeable jock Steve Harrington into a beloved fan favourite, has achieved remarkable musical success under his pseudonym Djo. His 2022 track End of Beginning went viral on TikTok in early 2024, propelling him into the UK charts for the first time.
The song became the soundtrack to a massive trend that accumulated over two million videos, with users sharing travel clips set to its memorable lyrics: "And when I'm back in Chicago I feel it." Before his Stranger Things fame, the 33-year-old was a member of rock band Post Animal, leaving in 2019 to focus on his solo career. Djo now commands an impressive 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Finn Wolfhard's Musical Passion Project
Finn Wolfhard, who delivers an award-winning performance as main character Mike Wheeler, showcases impressive musical versatility off-screen. The actor plays guitar, piano, and drums, having been part of two bands throughout his career.
He served as lead vocalist for indie rock band Calpurnia from 2017 to 2019 before forming The Aubreys with former bandmate Malcolm Craig. The duo released their debut album Karaoke Alone in 2021. Wolfhard has emphasised that music represents a genuine passion rather than a fame-seeking endeavour.
"I just like writing songs, putting them out, and making music accessible. As long as someone can hear it and relate to it, that's really all that I care about," he told Kerrang in 2023. His current band The Aubreys attracts over 50,000 monthly Spotify listeners, while his former band Calpurnia maintains 157,000 monthly listeners.
Maya Hawke's Established Music Career
Maya Hawke joined the Stranger Things family as Robin Buckley in season three, but her musical career began almost simultaneously with her Hawkins debut. The daughter of acting legends Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke released two singles - To Love a Boy and Stay Open - in August 2019, followed by her first album Blush in 2020.
She has since expanded her discography with MOSS in 2022 and Chaos Angel in 2024, the latter produced by her now-boyfriend Christian Lee Hutson. Hawke currently attracts 508,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Emerging Musical Talents
Caleb McLaughlin, known for his role as Lucas Sinclair, represents one of the newer faces in music from the cast. He released his first single Neighborhood in 2021, followed by Soul Travel in 2022. While he hasn't yet released a full body of work, the conclusion of Stranger Things may provide more opportunity for musical exploration.
Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson) serves as vocalist for six-person band Work in Progress, which released debut songs Dream Eater and Waste My Time in 2019. However, the band hasn't been active on social media since December 2019, suggesting new music might not be imminent.
Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers) also has musical roots, having drummed for London-based rock band Comanechi during his teens. He toured with the band for 18 months following their 2013 album You Owe Me Nothing But Love and briefly played with psychedelic band Half Loon, though he hasn't released solo material.
A Bittersweet Farewell
As Stranger Things prepares to bow out with its final season, the cast's diverse talents beyond acting demonstrate the depth of creativity within the ensemble. From viral chart-toppers to passionate indie projects, these musical endeavours ensure the stars will continue captivating audiences long after the Hawkins saga concludes.
