Brett Gelman is the actor who brings conspiracy theorist Murray Bauman to life in Stranger Things. The American actor and comedian has turned what began as a small role in the show’s second season into a beloved main character. With the final season coming soon, Gelman’s portrayal of the paranoid yet heroic investigator stands out as a key part of the series.
Murray Bauman’s Journey in Hawkins
Introduced in Stranger Things Season 2, Murray Bauman was a former investigative journalist hired to look into Barb Holland’s disappearance. He quickly developed theories about Russian spies and strange happenings in Hawkins, which were initially dismissed as paranoia by Chief Jim Hopper.
His role grew significantly. In Season 3, his fluency in Russian made him essential for Joyce Byers and Hopper to communicate with a captured Soviet scientist. This led him directly into the conflict at the Starcourt Mall. By Season 4, he was a main cast member, joining Joyce on a dangerous mission to a Russian prison to rescue Hopper. The show’s official guide confirms he will return for the final battle in Season 5.
Brett Gelman’s Path to Stardom
Gelman’s career began long before Hawkins. He studied theater at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and started as a comedian in New York City. He performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and was part of a comedy rap duo. His early television work included roles on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, and The League.
He became known for his work on Adult Swim, creating and starring in dark comedy specials. He also had regular roles on series such as the NBC sitcom Go On and the FX comedy Married. Gelman has described his career as “eclectic,” with Murray fitting neatly into a timeline that includes stage performance and scene-stealing TV moments.
From Fleabag’s Martin to Other Notable Roles
A major role that boosted Gelman’s profile was playing Martin in the acclaimed BBC series Fleabag. He played the awkward and disliked boyfriend of the main character’s sister. The role was very different from Murray Bauman but demonstrated his skill at portraying complex, uncomfortable characters.
His film work includes:
- The Other Guys (2010), where he acted alongside Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.
- Lemon (2017), a film he also co-wrote, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
- More recent movies like Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022) and Strays (2023).
Gelman is also a prolific voice actor. He voiced Magic Myc in Netflix’s Inside Job and currently voices the Joker in the Harley Quinn animated series. Other voice work includes Bob’s Burgers and Adventure Time. In 2022, he starred in the Apple TV+ drama Lady in the Lake.
Also Read:
- Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams Talks About Overcoming Bias and What He Learned From Playing Shane
- Cote de Pablo Shares Farewell Message After NCIS: Tony & Ziva Canceled After One Season
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Will This Game of Thrones Prequel Face the Same Problem?
- ‘Heated Rivalry’ Episode 5 Becomes Highest-Rated TV Episode of 2025 on IMDb
- Fallout Season 2: The Mind-Control Chip Threat, Explained
- Survivor 49 Runner-Up Sophi Balerdi Reflects on Her Gameplay and Journey in Exit Interview
Looking Ahead to Stranger Things Season 5
The fifth season will be the last for Stranger Things. Netflix has announced a unique release schedule where the season will be split into three volumes:
- Volume 1: Premieres November 26, 2025, with the first four episodes.
- Volume 2: Three episodes arrive on December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day).
- Finale: The series conclusion premieres on December 31, 2025 (New Year’s Eve).
All episodes premiere at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET on their release dates. The final episode is reported to have a two-hour runtime.
In a recent interview, Gelman shared his feelings about filming the end of the series. He described having “conflicting emotions”—feeling gratitude and excitement to play Murray again, but also sadness that the journey is ending. He expressed a desire to watch the final episode in a theater, calling it a “cinematic experience”.
As for his character’s fate, Gelman is firmly part of the team. The official season guide notes that in late 1987, Murray is “fully integrated into the group’s plans” to search the Upside Down for Vecna. Fans will soon see how the story ends for the conspiracy theorist who was right all along.
