After a gruelling three-year wait, Netflix viewers have finally returned to the upside-down world of Hawkins in Stranger Things season 5. The highly anticipated release of Volume 1 has introduced a host of new characters, with one particular newcomer already capturing the audience's attention.
Who Is The Newcomer Bullying Holly Wheeler?
The first four episodes of the new season follow the original gang as they desperately attempt to locate the season four villain, Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower. While Eleven, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, undergoes intense training for a final confrontation, the rest of the group devises their own plans.
Enter Derek Turnbow, a potty-mouthed new character who makes an immediate and unpleasant impression. Audiences first meet him as he bullies Holly Wheeler, forcing the playground carousel to spin dangerously fast while she lies on it.
However, the plot takes a significant turn when it is revealed that Vecna is targeting Derek. This discovery prompts the group to hatch a plan to kidnap him, not out of malice, but to save his life and use him to track down Vecna's hiding spot.
Jake Connelly: The Teen Behind The Fan Favourite
The actor bringing the complex new character to life is Jake Connelly. This American teen actor has found his breakout role in the global phenomenon, with his performance as Derek quickly making him an emerging fan favourite. Prior to this, his only credit on IMDb was for a short film titled Between the Silence.
Despite his character's rough start, fans have been raving about the new addition, taking to social media to praise Connelly's portrayal. The young actor is active on Instagram under the handle @jakeconnellyofficial.
A Young Star Welcomed by the Hawkins Crew
So, how old is the newest member of the Stranger Things cast? Jake Connelly is only 13 years old, meaning he was just four years old when the show first premiered. He managed to catch up on the sci-fi hit more recently.
Speaking to The Wrap at the season five premiere, he revealed his viewing habits: "I started watching it a good couple of years ago, probably around when Season 4 came out. As a family, we sat down every night and watched an episode before bed. It was just so fun seeing everything that my mom grew up with in the '80s."
Despite being the new kid on the block, Connelly was welcomed with open arms by the established cast. He shared a particularly kind gesture from the show's lead. "I gotta say, one of the first days of the table read, Millie Bobby Brown called me over to her [trailer] and — my mom had no idea where I went — I was just there with Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi just chilling it up, just talking," he recalled. "And she said, ‘Oh yeah, we were all your age when we started. If you ever need anything, you can just call us.'"
After the initial plan to use Derek falls apart, his role evolves. He is soon enlisted to go undercover as 'Delightful Derek' in a bold attempt to rescue the mission. The first four episodes of Stranger Things season 5 are available to stream now on Netflix.
