When Stranger Things first landed on Netflix in the summer of 2016, no one knew it would become a global phenomenon. For Winona Ryder, who joined the cast as the determined mother Joyce Byers, the show’s sudden, massive success was a surprising and intense experience. The actress, who first found fame in the 1980s, has opened up about feeling overwhelmed by the show’s popularity and her deep pride in watching her younger co-stars navigate their own journeys with fame.
Reflecting on Sudden Success and That Netflix Price Hike
The scale of the show’s success became clear very quickly. Ryder appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! shortly after the premiere and shared her feelings about the instant attention. “It was definitely overwhelming,” she said. “I have a pretty good system, I’m not on the internet that much but my parents are and they forward me the good stuff”.
She also shared a funny memory that highlighted the show’s immediate impact. “The day that the show was coming out, I got an email from [Netflix] saying the price was going up to $12.99,” Ryder recalled. She saw an ad for the show with her face next to the new subscription price. “It was like, but you have to get from $7.99 to $12.99. It’s dangerous but great in a way”.
Looking back in a 2017 interview, Ryder said she felt grateful for starting her career in a different era. “I’m grateful that I got to start at the time I did. As much as I love it, I don’t know if I would even have become an actor [if I was starting out now]”.
A Protective “TV Mom” and Her Pride in the Young Cast
Playing Joyce Byers, a fiercely protective mother, mirrored Ryder’s real-life role on set. Having been a young star herself, she felt a strong connection to the cast members who grew up on the show. In a November 2025 interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, she expressed how proud she is of them.
“It’s such a different world because I didn’t grow up with the internet or social media or any of that. I’m really proud of the kids because I watched them each figure out how to take breaks from that,” Ryder said. She specifically mentioned Caleb McLaughlin, who plays Lucas Sinclair, deciding to turn off his phone. “I remember like Caleb just turned off his. And he was like, ‘God, it’s great’”.
“Netflix is so lucky to have them and they are what made this show what it is,” Ryder said, emphasizing the young cast’s talent. She added that she felt protective because “they were at such a tender age” during filming.
Her co-stars have shared their appreciation for her in return. Charlie Heaton, who plays her son Jonathan, called her “very awesome” and “super generous,” noting she is “an amazing gift-giver”. Noah Schnapp, who plays Will, said Ryder gave him a Cher t-shirt after learning of his interest in the singer.
Emotional Goodbyes as the Final Season Breaks Records
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things has proven the show’s lasting power. Volume 1, consisting of the first four episodes, was released on November 26, 2025, and broke records. It achieved 59.6 million views in its first five days, making it the biggest premiere week ever for an English-language series on Netflix.
The success comes after a gap of more than three years since the last season, showing that audience interest never faded. The show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, said they were “completely overwhelmed by the fan response”.
At the season’s world premiere event in November 2025, Ryder became emotional talking about the cast. “I feel like this season I got to spend time with all of them, which was incredibly special. They’re, they’re just … I’ll get emotional … They’re just … I will always love them forever,” she said, even singing a bit of “I Will Always Love You”.
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The Final Chapter and a Theatrical Finale
The story of Hawkins is nearing its end. Volume 2 of Season 5, containing three new episodes, will be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. The series finale, a feature-length episode, will then debut on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025.
In a unique send-off, Netflix will screen the finale in over 500 movie theaters across the U.S. and Canada from the evening of December 31 into New Year’s Day. Fans will have the chance to experience the last chapter on the big screen.
For Winona Ryder, the journey from an overwhelming premiere to an emotional farewell has come full circle. From worrying about the young cast to bursting with pride for them, her experience reflects the show’s heart—a story about unusual families, both on-screen and off.
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