The creators of the global phenomenon Stranger Things have broken their silence on a persistent fan complaint: the show's reluctance to kill off its main characters. In a revealing new interview, Matt and Ross Duffer confirmed that while the core ensemble has survived until the fifth and final season, two characters came perilously close to being written out of the story.
The Characters Who Cheated Death
According to the Duffer brothers, Chief Jim Hopper, played by David Harbour, was the closest to meeting his end at the conclusion of the show's third season. While his fate was deliberately left ambiguous in a dramatic cliffhanger, the writers ultimately decided against making his death permanent, leading to his return in season four.
"You have those discussions, but I think it was just hard for us to let go of that character," the duo admitted, highlighting the emotional challenge of such a decision.
The other central figure who narrowly escaped a grim fate was Max Mayfield, portrayed by Sadie Sink. The writers seriously contemplated her death but concluded that it would have fundamentally undermined her powerful character arc, particularly her journey in the most recent season.
Why the Show Resists 'Shock Value'
The Duffers directly addressed criticism that the show's high-stakes, scary events feel less impactful because the main characters always survive. They defended their creative philosophy, stating that their priority is narrative cohesion and emotional resonance over gratuitous shock.
"We could kill anyone off at any point very easily – it's not difficult," they told The Independent. "It's more about the repercussions that would have for all of our other characters. We just always want to think ahead and not just do it to shock people or because people have a bloodlust, which they seem to have."
In the case of Max, they elaborated that her potential death felt counterproductive. "Max is a good example," they said. "It would sort of defeat the purpose of her growth that entire year. She goes through all of that to die? She finds the light and then… Some of those you talk about and it just feels mean and it goes against what you've been trying to say."
A Different Kind of Story
The creators positioned Stranger Things as a distinct type of narrative, differentiating it from other series like Game of Thrones that are known for their willingness to dispatch main characters. They framed their show as a coming-of-age story where the tone and character development are paramount.
"It's a very different type of story that we're telling," they explained. "We just have to make sure that if and when we do it, that it doesn't alter the tone of the show in a way that we don't want."
They pointed to the death of character Eddie Munson in the previous season as an example of how they approach mortality, ensuring that such events have lasting consequences. "We want to make sure that if someone dies like Eddie, who we killed last season, his death resonates throughout the course of season five."
Fans won't have to wait much longer for the beginning of the end. Netflix will release the first four episodes of Stranger Things's final season on 27 November, with the series concluding its epic run in December.
