Duffer Brothers Explain Their Decision to Cast a High School Drama Teacher in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5
High school can be a challenging experience, a sentiment echoed by the characters in Stranger Things. In a heartwarming nod to their roots, the show’s co-creators, the Duffer Brothers, have cast their former high school drama teacher in a prominent role in the Netflix series.
“Miss Harris is played by Hope Hynes Love,” Ross Duffer shared on Instagram. “She was our high school drama teacher.”
Reflecting on their tumultuous high school years, Duffer noted, “High school was rough for me and my brother. But Hope saw something in us we didn’t see in ourselves — and she helped give us the confidence to not only survive those four years but to move to LA and chase our dreams.”
Duffer also highlighted the significance of educators, especially those in the humanities. He concluded with a strong message: “Shoutout to all the teachers out there making a difference. And please… let’s prioritize the arts in schools. ✌️”
In the fifth season, Ms. Harris is introduced as a pivotal teacher in Holly’s class, portrayed by Nell Fisher. She observes Holly’s interactions with Mr. Whatsit, an “imaginary friend” known to Holly’s family, until the true identity of this character, Henry aka Vecna, is revealed by Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer). Throughout Volume I, Ms. Harris also guides Holly’s classmates to the bunkers in the MAC-Z.
The fifth season of Stranger Things is set to unfold over three volumes, with the first installment containing four episodes that premiered just before Thanksgiving. Volume II will drop three episodes on Christmas Day, and the series finale is slated for a New Year’s Eve release, both on streaming platforms and through a limited theatrical release.
