Stranger Things is set to end with season 5, giving fans one last chance to see some of their favorite characters who have barely spoken to one another actually interact on the screen. The Netflix science fiction horror drama series, created by the Duffer Brothers, contains an ensemble cast of characters. Stranger Things has added an abundance of new actors and actresses over the course of its run, with some getting more screen time than others. However, despite the Netflix show’s longevity and interconnected storylines, many characters have rarely crossed paths.

As of early July 2024, the cast and crew are halfway through filming Stranger Things season 5, and many predict that the upcoming episodes will premiere in late 2025 or early 2026 (more than three seasons after the release of season 4).

While reflecting on all four seasons of Stranger Things, it’s shocking to learn that certain characters have hardly ever spoken to each other. Of course, Stranger Things has its fair share of noteworthy duos, including Eleven and Mike, Joyce and Hopper, Steve and Robin, Jonathan and Nancy, and so on. These relationships are the backbone of the sci-fi horror drama series. But it would be intriguing to see the characters explore new dynamics in Stranger Things season 5, especially ones that would be natural (and should have interacted more throughout the seasons.

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8Will & Dustin

Played By Noah Schnapp & Gaten Matarazzo

One of the most surprising Stranger Things duos who have barely spoken to one another is Will and Dustin. The two boys belong to the show’s original friend group (both are founding members of the “Party”). However, Will and Dustin have shared little to no scenes together. Will was missing for the majority of season 1, so, their limited screen time together makes sense. But ever since Noah Schnapp was promoted to series regular, Will and Dustin haven’t talked one-on-one. Hopefully, that will change in season 5. During Fan Expo Dallas, Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo commented on Dustin and Will’s friendship. He said:

“You know who I never talked to, not once, I don’t think I’ve spoken to him once, I don’t think I’ve spoken to Noah once on screen since season one. I always make a joke really that of course the four boys are supposedly best friends, but Dustin will have never interacted with them on screen, so I guess all of that just happens off-screen. I guess them being best friends together is just elsewhere. He’s busy.”

7Steve & Hopper

Played By Joe Keery & David Harbour

Steve and Hopper are two of the funniest Stranger Things characters, and they have rarely interacted with each other one-on-one in the Netflix series. Consequently, viewers are being deprived of what could be a hilarious duo, and there have been many opportunities for the teen and the sheriff to team up. Steve and Hopper are quite different, which would make for funny scenes as their personalities clash. Honestly, the Stranger Things writers could pair Steve up with any character and their scenes together would be fun to watch. 

Perhaps Steve and Hopper will actually team up in the upcoming Stranger Things season 5 episodes, but only time will tell if this dream duo comes to fruition on the screen.

Since Steve and Hopper serve as surrogate father figures to the younger Stranger Things characters, it would make sense if they often interacted in the sci-fi horror drama TV show. However, that has not been the case. Perhaps Steve and Hopper will actually team up in the upcoming Stranger Things season 5 episodes, but only time will tell if this dream duo comes to fruition on the screen.

6Lucas & Jonathan

Played By Caleb McLaughlin & Charlie Heaton

Jonathan was mostly solely paired up with Nancy in the first few Stranger Things seasons, but the older teen often interacted with his little brother’s friend group, except for Lucas. The two characters were usually teamed up together by the end of seasons to face great threats, but their groups were big, and consequently, Jonathan and Lucas haven’t spoken much (if at all). Jonathan and Lucas have one thing in common, though — they both have younger siblings who they’re protective of.

Despite their lack of one-on-one scenes together throughout the Netflix series, it would be interesting to see Jonathan and Lucas team up, even if it’s for only one episode in Stranger Things season 5. They can bond over their similar situations, and Jonathan could impart some wise advice to the younger teen. If Jonathan is close with Will, it would make sense for him to interact with his younger brother’s friends, after all.

5Joyce & Max

Played By Winona Ryder & Sadie Sink

Whereas Steve and Hopper serve as father figures to the younger characters in Stranger Things, Joyce Byers is undoubtedly the mother figure, even if she hasn’t spoken to one girl in particular — Max. Joyce is obviously Jonathan and Will’s mother, meaning she has given them plenty of advice throughout the four seasons. Winona Ryder’s character has also provided guidance (and a home) for Eleven. However, Joyce hasn’t advised the one character who might need it the most.

Stranger Things Cast
Role

Winona Ryder
Joyce Byers

David Harbour
Jim Hopper

Finn Wolfhard
Mike Wheeler

Millie Bobby Brown
Eleven

Gaten Matarazzo
Dustin Henderson

Caleb McLaughlin
Lucas Sinclair

Natalia Dyer
Nancy Wheeler

Charlie Heaton
Jonathan Byers

Cara Buono
Karen Wheeler

Matthew Modine
Martin Brenner

Noah Schnapp
Will Byers

Sadie Sink
Max Mayfield

Joe Keery
Steve Harrington

Maya Hawke
Robin Buckley

Priah Ferguson
Erica Sinclair

Brett Gelman
Murray Bauman

Jamie Campbell Bower
Vecna/One/Henry Creel

Paul Reiser
Sam Owens

Max has been put through the wringer since she joined the cast in Stranger Things season 2. She was the victim of verbal abuse from her stepbrother, Billy, in season 2. Then, Max watched as the Mind Flayer killed Billy during the season 3 finale. Most recently, Max’s grief consumed her in season 4, making herself vulnerable to Vecna. While she survived Vecna’s first attempt to murder her, the villain successfully killed Max the second time before Eleven used her powers to revive her. Going into Stranger Things season 5, Max could probably use some of Joyce’s guidance when she wakes up.

4Eleven & Nancy

Played By Millie Bobby Brown & Natalia Dyer

After watching Eleven and Max become one of Stranger Things‘ best duos in season 3, it was evident that the TV show needed more female friendships, and one of the most natural ones would be between Eleven and Nancy. Unfortunately, the two have barely spoken to one another since the beginning of the series. Eleven is dating Nancy’s younger brother (and was living in her family’s basement for the duration of season 1), and yet Netflix has gone four seasons without them interacting.

Since Stranger Things season 4 featured a handful of Nancy and Robin scenes, it stands to reason that season 5 could include Nancy speaking to Eleven. They could have a big sister-little sister relationship that could be explored in the upcoming episodes. Fans will have to wait and see if Nancy and Eleven interact at all before Stranger Things ends, though.

3Jonathan & Robin

Played By Charlie Heaton & Maya Hawke

As two of the main older teen characters in Stranger Things, it’s a little bit surprising that Jonathan and Robin have not talked since Maya Hawke joined the cast in season 3. Steve and Nancy dated, Steve and Jonathan were rivals, Nancy and Jonathan are dating, and Nancy and Robin became friends in season 4. Meanwhile, the two characters who are probably the most alike (Jonathan and Robin) haven’t shared one scene.

Now that they are all together in Hawkins, Jonathan and Robin could (and should) share a moment or two in Stranger Things season 5.

Jonathan and Robin weren’t in the same state for most of Stranger Things season 4, so, it’s understandable why they didn’t interact then. Nevertheless, Jonathan and Robin have a lot of things in common as they were both loners and outsiders in high school. Now that they are all together in Hawkins, Jonathan and Robin could (and should) share a moment or two in Stranger Things season 5’s story.

2Steve & Eleven

Played By Joe Keery & Millie Bobby Brown

Eleven is often off on her own missions in Stranger Things, meaning that she hasn’t been able to work with many characters one would think she would interact with, like Steve. Steve is considered the babysitter of the “Party,” which includes Eleven. However, the two characters haven’t shared scenes together, which is a shame. Eleven and Steve were both almost killed off in Stranger Things season 1, and even though they have made it to season 5, the two characters have barely spoken to each other.

Terminator star Linda Hamilton joined the cast of Stranger Things season 5 in an undisclosed role.

Eleven and Steve could have a humorous dynamic, given Eleven’s serious demeanor and Steve’s naivety. Like many of the other duos on this list, it’s possible that Eleven and Steve could have a scene together in the final season of the Netflix sci-fi horror drama series. Given that everyone was all together by Stranger Things season 4’s ending, interactions between Eleven and Steve are probable (especially since many fans want to see them).

1Robin & Will

Played By Maya Hawke & Noah Schnapp

Robin and Will peculiarly have not spoken to one another throughout their seasons of Stranger Things, even though they definitely should have. One would think the two would have shared at least one scene together (in season 3 since Will was on the other side of the country for the majority of season 4 while Robin remained in Hawkins). Nevertheless, the two Stranger Things characters have been pretty much strangers for the entirety of the Netflix TV show. 

Given that Stranger Things has hinted many times at Will being gay and the knowledge that Robin is a lesbian, it would be understandable if they became a duo in season 5. Will needs someone to guide him, and Robin is assumingly the only character in the series who can relate to the young teen. Hopefully, the Duffer Brothers seize the opportunity to bring Robin and Will together in Stranger Things season 5.

Given that Stranger Things has hinted many times at Will being gay and the knowledge that Robin is a lesbian, it would be understandable if they became a duo in season 5. Will needs someone to guide him, and Robin is assumingly the only character in the series who can relate to the young teen. Hopefully, the Duffer Brothers seize the opportunity to bring Robin and Will together in Stranger Things season 5.