The creators of Stranger Things chose a non-actor for a significant role in the show’s final season for a deeply personal reason. Matt and Ross Duffer cast their actual high school drama teacher, Hope Hynes Love, to play the character of Miss Harris, a schoolteacher at Hawkins Elementary. The decision was a way to honor the educator who supported them during a difficult time in their lives and helped them build the confidence to pursue their filmmaking dreams.
The Heart of the Story: A Teacher’s Lasting Impact
The Duffer brothers shared the touching story behind the casting on their Instagram. They explained that high school was a challenging period for them, but Hope Hynes Love made a profound difference. She saw potential in them that they did not see in themselves.
Ross Duffer wrote in his post:
“Miss Harris is played by Hope Hynes Love. She was our high school drama teacher. 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.”
He concluded his message with a call to support arts education, saying, “Shoutout to all the teachers out there making a difference. And please… let’s prioritize the arts in schools.”
Miss Harris’s Role in the Final Season
Within the story of Stranger Things 5, Hope Hynes Love’s character, Miss Harris, plays a key part in the unfolding events in Hawkins. She is first shown as an observant teacher at Hawkins Elementary. She is the one who notices that Holly Wheeler is talking to an “imaginary friend” named Mr. Whatsit and informs Holly’s mother, Karen Wheeler, about the strange behavior.
Later in the season, when the U.S. military places the town’s children under quarantine at a facility known as the Military Access Control Zone (MAC-Z), Miss Harris is brought in to monitor them. Her role is to help keep the young children calm during a terrifying situation. When danger erupts outside their holding area, she bravely tries to protect the kids by instructing them to hide under their beds.
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A Full-Circle Moment for the Show’s Creators
This casting decision represents a meaningful full-circle moment for the Duffer brothers. The teacher who once nurtured their creativity in a school classroom is now part of the global phenomenon that creativity built. It serves as a powerful reminder of the impact a dedicated teacher can have and underscores the importance of arts programs in schools.
The final season of Stranger Things is being released in volumes. The first four episodes are now available on Netflix. The next three episodes will be released on December 25, 2025, and the series finale will arrive on December 31, 2025.
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