A new clip from Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 reveals the fate of fan-favorite newcomer Derek Turnbow, showing him alive but trapped in Vecna’s mind prison alongside other kidnapped children. The footage, released ahead of the final episodes, confirms Derek survived his abduction at the end of Volume 1 but is now under the villain’s psychological control. Volume 2 premieres on Netflix on December 25, 2025, with the series finale following on New Year’s Eve.
The newly released clip shows Derek Turnbow, played by Jake Connelly, waking up in what appears to be a peaceful, sunlit field. Other children who were taken by Vecna are with him. However, this calm setting is a deception. They are actually inside Vecna’s mind prison, the same supernatural location where Holly Wheeler and Max Mayfield are held.
In the scene, Vecna appears in the form of Mr. Whatsit, a friendly persona he used to gain Holly’s trust. He speaks to the confused children, offering them a twisted version of events. He claims he was protecting them from monsters, and because their memories have been clouded, they believe him. Holly, who is also in the mind prison, recognizes her school friend Derek among the group.
“He goes from Dipshit Derek to Delightful Derek… Joyce is such a maternal character, and she really helped him believe in himself, which made him do great things,” said Jake Connelly, explaining his character’s growth in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum.
This new clip confirms that Derek survived the dramatic events of “The Turnbow Trap” in Volume 1, where he was specifically targeted by Vecna. His current predicament raises the stakes for the final battle, as freeing him and the other children becomes a new priority for the heroes of Hawkins.
Derek Turnbow was introduced in Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 as a brash, foul-mouthed elementary school bully, quickly earning the nickname “Dipshit Derek”. He was notorious for picking on Holly Wheeler and disrespecting almost everyone around him. However, his character underwent a significant transformation after Joyce Byers and the group enlisted his help.
When Vecna began targeting him, Derek stepped up, using his knowledge of Hawkins to help smuggle other endangered kids to safety. His bravery and cooperation led the group to rename him “Delightful Derek,” marking his evolution from a bully to an unlikely hero. This redemption arc made him an instant favorite with fans.
Series co-creator Matt Duffer explained that Derek’s role expanded because of the actor’s performance. “He was just so charming and hilarious that we started to gradually increase the size of his role throughout the season,” Duffer said. “So, not unlike Steve Harrington, Derek started out as a stereotypical bully, but grew into something much more compelling — all thanks to Jake”.
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The new clip sets the stage for the intense conclusion of the series. With Derek and the other children under Vecna’s spell, the heroes must find a way to break the villain’s mind control. The show has previously established that music can penetrate Vecna’s illusions, a weakness that may prove crucial in the final rescue attempt.
Volume 2 of Stranger Things 5, consisting of three episodes, will be released on December 25, 2025. Netflix will drop the episodes globally at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. For viewers in the United Kingdom, this translates to 1:00 a.m. GMT on December 26. The final episode of the entire series, a feature-length conclusion, will premiere on New Year’s Eve, December 31, at the same time.
The Duffer Brothers have stated that this is the definitive end for the story of Hawkins and its characters. With Derek’s fate now a central concern, the final episodes promise to deliver an emotional and action-packed conclusion to his unexpected journey.
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