Stranger Things Cast Member Shocks Fans by Announcing Absence from Season 5

Most of the Stranger Things cast is returning for the fifth and final season, but one actor has confirmed they won’t be part of the Netflix series anymore.

As fans anticipate Stranger Things Season 5, many are focused on questions like, “Is Eddie coming back?” and “What will Vecna do next?” , possibly overlooking some long-standing supporting characters.

The Netflix series is well-known for introducing a range of new characters each season. While some receive notable praise, one consistent aspect has been the presence of the parents of the beloved kids.

Unfortunately, Catherine Curtain, who plays Dustin’s mom, will not return for the upcoming season, as she confirmed in an interview on the Monday Morning Critic podcast.

What does this mean? First the Argyle actor then Joseph Quinn now this? (I still think Eddie will appear in flashbacks possibly a Vecna made vision) by u/Any-Philosopher-2148 in StrangerThings

“No, no, I went off and did SNL 1975,” Curtin explained, adding, “I’m not a part of the Stranger Things Season 5, but I have interacted with a few of those guys, and what I’m told is that it’s kind of amazing and that they work hard and that it’s brilliant. And I think it will not disappoint.”

Although Dustin’s mom isn’t a principal character, she has been a part of the show since the first season. Always concerned about her son Dustin, it’s surprising that she won’t make an appearance in some form during the show’s final episodes.

Her absence, along with that of Eddie Munson and Argyle, has sparked discussions among fans about its implications.

“It makes sense, but also doesn’t to me,” commented one Reddit user. “Why would Argyle leave without a goodbye? Jonathan was his only friend; there’s no heartfelt scene or closure. Is he even going back to California after? Having no parent is odd, and I wonder how she’d react to seeing Dustin get hurt.”

Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin and Catherine Curtin as his mom in Stranger Things — Netflix

However, another user pointed out: “She’s had about 4 minutes of screen time throughout the series. This suggests they’re really going back to a classic Stranger Things vibe, likely focusing more on the Wheelers, Byers, and Hoppers, with other parents remaining off-screen.”

“Well, it probably means two things: that Dustin won’t die, and we won’t see a Party graduation scene,” someone theorized.

Others expressed disappointment, stating: “That’s a bummer, not even one brief scene? I enjoy the dynamic between Dustin and his mom,” and: “I wish all the ‘main character’ adjacent folks could get a quick cameo in the final season. However, there’s limited time, and the Duffers don’t typically cater to fans, so here we are.”

For further context, discover everything there is to know about the Upside Down, Max, and Eleven. You can also stay updated on all the new TV shows on streaming while waiting for Season 5.