6 ‘Stranger Things’ Actors Who Originally Auditioned for a Different Role

Stranger Things is the biggest show on Netflix. Set in the 1980s, this sci-fi series follows the residents of the fictional small-town town of Hawkins, Indiana — mostly a group of lovable kids, led by a powerful girl with telekinetic abilities. Things turn upside down, however, when Hawkins is invaded by the mysterious Upside Down, a hostile alternate dimension that exists beside Earth. After nearly three years, the show’s highly anticipated fifth and final season is finally dropping in 2025.

Over the years, Stranger Things has turned many of its cast members into stars, like Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, David Harbour, and Joe Keery. It’s hard to imagine these actors, who have become synonymous with their roles, playing any other characters in the show — but that’s almost what wound up happening. Several actors on Stranger Things initially auditioned for different roles than what they wound up getting.

Although they were rejected for the parts they wanted, these actors caught the eyes of producers, who still offered them a place on their show. It all worked out OK in the end, though, because we really can’t imagine these six actors playing anyone else in Stranger Things.

6

Eduardo Franco

Auditioned for Eddie Munson

Eduardo Franco appeared in a number of films and TV shows prior to Stranger Things, including the critically acclaimed comedy Booksmart. He even provides the voice for DJ Catnip in the hit children’s series, Gabby’s Dollhouse. Franco originally auditioned for the role of Eddie Munson in Stranger Things season 4. Thankfully, the role went to Joseph Quinn instead, whose memorable performance turned Eddie into a popular, fan-favorite character.

Franco was instead offered the role of Argyle, the stoner sidekick of Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton). Argyle was introduced in season 4. He became another fan-favorite character, the comic relief in a show that was gradually becoming darker. Yet despite the character’s popularity, Franco has publicly stated that he hasn’t been asked to appear in the show’s final season. Going to miss Eduardo Franco in the final season of Stranger Things? You can always catch him in the horror-comedy Y2K, released earlier this year.

5

Robert Englund

Auditioned for Mayor Larry Kline

Robert Englund is famous for playing horror icon Freddy Krueger, the villain who haunts the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. As a fan of Stranger Things, Englund auditioned for the role of Hawkins’ mayor Larry Kline in season 3. But he didn’t get the part, which wound up going to Cary Elwes instead.

Englund was, however, asked to audition for a role in season 4 — and that one he did get. He plays Victor Creel, the father of Henry Creel, also known as One, also known as Vecna, also known as the villain of Stranger Things. Victor was arrested for murdering his wife and daughter in the 1950s when they were really murdered by his son. He’s since been incarcerated in a mental hospital. Creel was left permanently disfigured after cutting out his own eyes in an attempt to kill himself. It’s a much more fitting role for Englund, given his horror roots. It’s unclear, however, whether the actor will return for season 5.

4

Sean Astin

Auditioned for Murray Bauman

Sean Astin plays Bob Newby, the lovable good guy who dates Joyce (Winona Ryder) in seasons 1 and 2 of Stranger Things. Bob broke our hearts with his tragic, selfless death, and we haven’t stopped loving him since. Astin actually came close, though, to playing another character in Stranger Things. He originally auditioned for the role of Murray Bauman, the private investigator and conspiracy theorist who becomes the third wheel to Hopper and Joyce.

Fortunately, this didn’t pan out. We can’t picture Astin playing anyone other than Bob. And likewise, we can’t imagine anyone other than Brett Gelman playing the eccentric and aggressive Bauman, who’s set to return for the show’s final season.

3

Noah Schnapp

Auditioned for Mike Wheeler

Mike Wheeler is arguably the main character among the group of kids in Stranger Things; he’s the gang’s de facto leader and the love interest of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). So it’s no surprise that several kids from the Stranger Things cast originally auditioned for the role of Mike. One of those kids was Noah Schnapp. However, the role ultimately landed in the lap of Finn Wolfhard. Schnapp was instead selected for the role of Mike’s best friend, Will Byers.

Although Will wasn’t a main character in season 1, his mysterious disappearance kicks off the show’s central plot. Schnapp was promoted to series regular in season 2 and has been a main character on Stranger Things ever since. There are some wild fan theories out there regarding Will’s role in season 5, with some fans theorizing that he will betray his friends and become a villain.

2

Gaten Matarazzo

Auditioned for Mike Wheeler

Noah Schnapp wasn’t the only castmember who auditioned for the role of Mike Wheeler. Gaten Matarazzo did as well, but like Schnapp, he lost the role to Wolfhard. Matarazzo ‘s likability and authenticity were evident in his audition tape, which prompted producers to select him for the role of Dustin Henderson after only a single viewing. After he was cast, Dustin was modified to have cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) in the show, a birth defect that Matarazzo has in real life.

In this case, it’s legitimately impossible to imagine anyone other than Matarazzo playing Dustin. Without him, you’d have a totally different character, presumably one without CCD. Dustin has become a favorite among Stranger Things fans, thanks to the character’s humor and the likability that first landed Matarazzo the role. Hawkins, and perhaps the entire world, would be lost without Matarazzo’s curly-haired, hat-wearing, Dungeons & Dragons expert to aid it. Matarazzo teased that Dustin will undergo a period of “intense grief” in season 5, following the tragic death of Eddie.

​​​​

1

Joe Keery

Auditioned for Jonathan Byers

Joe Keery is another actor who’s become synonymous with his Stranger Things character, although he almost played someone else. Keery originally auditioned for the role of Jonathan Byers, Will’s older brother and the love interest of Mike’s older sister, Nancy (Natalia Dyer). He was instead offered the role of Steve Harrington, Nancy’s season 1 love interest and the popular high school jock. Meanwhile, the role of Jonathan went to Charlie Heaton. Harrington seemed to start out as your typical, one-dimensional, high school bad guy, but his character has evolved and has been given more substance over the years.

Harrington’s arc turned him into another fan-favorite character, especially after he got paired up with Dustin, and Keery was promoted to a series regular in season 2. Like Dustin, it’s impossible to imagine anyone other than Keery and his iconic hairstyle playing Steve Harrington. Keery is set to return for what he’s called the “bittersweet” final season of Stranger Things.