They were 12 when we met them, now they’re 20 and still playing teens; Why the Stranger Things cast growing up feels so weird

When the trailer for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things dropped in earlier June 2025, Millie Bobby Brown, now 21, reflected on a journey millions have witnessed: “I started when I was 10,” she said. “I’m now turning 20 years old. Feels very weird.”

Fans felt it too. Social media lit up with comments noting how grown-up Brown and her co-stars, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, and Sadie Sink, look, even though their characters are still supposed to be in high school.

Also read: Stranger Things: The release date, what to expect, and big updates on Season 6

Why does this bother us so much?

For nearly a decade, audiences have watched this group of kids battle monsters, government conspiracies, and puberty. As the characters aged, so did the actors. In many ways, their real-life transformation mirrors the emotional arc of Stranger Things itself, no longer a quirky 80s sci-fi romp, but a darker, more emotionally complex story.

Millie Bobby Brown has publicly called out the scrutiny as “bullying,” slamming media outlets for shaming her looks and accusing her of aging too fast. “I grew up in front of the world,” she said. “People act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time.”

Sadie Sink, who plays Max, shared similar sentiments. “We’re growing up just like everyone else, we just happen to do it on camera,” she told People.

Importantly, Stranger Things isn’t the first show where adults play teens. From 90210 to Riverdale, it’s a long-running Hollywood tradition. Even on Stranger Things, Joe Keery was 23 when he first played Steve Harrington, a 16-year-old.

The Duffer Brothers have embraced this reality. Season 5 features a time jump of about a year and a half, allowing the characters to grow alongside the actors. That’s not just a practical fix; it adds emotional weight. As the kids face their biggest battle yet, the stakes feel more real because they’ve grown up.

Behind the scenes, the production team is working hard to match the period look with age-appropriate styling, including retro wigs, makeup, and wardrobe choices that subtly “de-age” the cast without looking unnatural.

So yes, the kids are now adults. But that growth isn’t a flaw, it’s the point. The final season isn’t just about fighting Vecna. It’s about letting go of childhood, accepting change, and growing up.

Just like the rest of us.