‘Stranger Things’ cast turn sentimental ahead of Season 5 release

As the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” approaches, Netflix dropped a new behind-the-scenes featurette, offering fans an emotional look at how the cast and creators are preparing to close the book on Hawkins.

In the three-minute video, the ensemble looked back on the show’s magic, the friendships they’ve built, and the immense responsibility of delivering a finale that lives up to expectations.

The video included reflections from the Duffer Brothers, creators of "Stranger Things" who reaffirmed that the core of the beloved series is its attempt to capture the magical quality of childhood.

David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper in the series, recalled the pilot script as a standout moment early on.

“When I read that pilot, I thought it was one of the best pilots I’d ever read. It felt so pure and just beautiful,” he said.

Amidst the dramatic growth and evolution of the storyline, the show remained anchored in the characters that the actors loved.

“We were just a bunch of random kids from different places that just loved our characters. We loved the story,” Noah Schnapp said.

“We’ve been doing it for such a long time. We’ve grown up as a family,” Charlie Heaton said.

Gaten Matarazzo added that as the seasons got grander, it still felt like “the same group of nerds from the first season.”

For Joe Keery, the series’ underlying message is about bringing various people together.

“Whether they're a popular dude or some band nerd, a parent, a teacher, a Russian scientist, everybody sort of feels like they’re kind of an outcast. And I think this show is about, like, bringing people like that together,” he said.

Millie teased that the final season is “more of an adventure and more of a mission.”

“Everybody is really put into the thick of it. No one is sitting back on a walkie-talkie. Everyone is full throttle, going for it,” she said.

“It's the highest stakes the show has ever been. It's just so exciting that we got to start this thing, but now finish it out all together,” Finn Wolfhard said.

Caleb McLaughlin vowed that the viewers will not be disappointed.

“We've come full circle. The fans will be truly satisfied with the ending,” he said.

"Stranger Things" Season 5 has been teased to be the biggest and darkest season of the show yet. The cast and crew kicked off production in January last year.

In the official teaser released in July, the characters were shown preparing as they work to battle the Demogorgons and the return of the powerful Vecna.

The hit series first premiered on Netflix in 2016. It stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, and David Harbour.

Season 5 will be released in three parts, with Volume One premiering on November 26, Volume Two on Christmas Day, and the finale will be on New Year's Eve.

— Carby Basina/LA, GMA Integrated News