Cara Buono from Stranger Things Shares her Thoughts on a Heartfelt Conversation with This Character

Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler in ‘Stranger Things’ season 5.
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NEED TO KNOW

• Stranger Things star Cara Buono has portrayed Karen Wheeler, mother to Nancy, Mike, and Holly, since the series began.
• Buono expressed her feelings about a co-star she wished had more screen time during her nearly decade-long involvement with the show.
• “There could have been some really, really interesting scenes and conversations between them,” she stated, referring to her character Karen and Winona Ryder’s Joyce.

In her recent comments, Cara Buono acknowledged the significant development of her character, Karen Wheeler, during season 5 of Stranger Things. However, she expressed a desire for her character to have had more interactions with another pivotal character.

The 54-year-old actress, who plays the mother of Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), and Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), shared her thoughts on this missed opportunity in a conversation with PEOPLE. Buono indicated that her character could have benefited from a deeper relationship with Joyce, portrayed by Winona Ryder, who is the mother of Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp).

“I would’ve loved more screen time with Joyce,” Buono remarked, recalling a moment from season 1 when Karen brings over a casserole and they engage in conversation.

“First, I think she’s a phenomenal actress. And I think for the characters, there could have been some really, really interesting scenes and conversations between them,” she elaborated.

Winona Ryder and Cara Buono in ‘Stranger Things’ season 1.

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Buono pointed out a unique aspect of the series: “You never really see either one of them talk to another female” throughout its run. Instead, Joyce tends to engage with male characters like Murray (Brett Gelman) and Hopper (David Harbour).

Even during rare interactions between Karen and Joyce, they are often seen merely checking in about each other’s children, since Mike and Will are best friends alongside their friends Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin).

“But I would’ve liked to have imagined them, both in the good times and the bad times, just like in a normal day in Hawkins,” Buono added. “Maybe some catch-up of, ‘Hey, have you known what’s been going on this whole time?'”

“A heart-to-heart would be a really interesting conversation,” she concluded.

Cara Buono and Winona Ryder attend Netflix’s “Stranger Things” Season 4 New York Premiere.

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While Buono expressed a desire for more scenes with Ryder, she is pleased with the trajectory of her character’s story in the final season. “I was so excited to see that they gave me so much incredible action, and it was just really satisfying to see her step into this powerful fight onscreen,” Buono noted, particularly highlighting moments where Karen fiercely defends her daughter, Holly, from a Demogorgon.

“She didn’t hesitate. There wasn’t a flicker of doubt or worry. It was just — instantaneous hero, and she took what she had available, and tried to save her daughter,” she elaborated.

Buono relished how her character’s years of “emotional vigilance finally turn into action” as the series nears its conclusion. “She spent all these seasons worrying and sensing danger, and trying to hold her family together,” Buono said. “I just feel like the conclusion of her arc — it’s not really about becoming someone new. I think it’s just about revealing who she’s always been and what she’s always been capable of.”

Volume 1 of Stranger Things season 5 is currently available for streaming on Netflix, while Volume 2 is set to premiere on December 25 at 8 p.m. ET, with the series finale scheduled for December 31.