Stranger Things Creators Reveal Why They Cast Their High School Drama Teacher In Season 5

Matt and Ross Duffer added a personal touch to Stranger Things season 5.

On Instagram, Ross shared that he and Matt chose to cast their real-life high school drama teacher, Hope Hynes Love, as Miss Harris in Stranger Things season 5. The character is a teacher at Hawkins Elementary and plays a key role in the final installment of the series.

The post was accompanied by a touching message from the Duffer Brothers. Ross revealed that high school was a tough time for both of them. However, Love lifted their spirits and believed in them when they didn’t believe in themselves. He added that their former teacher was the one who gave them enough confidence to not only make it through high school but also move to Los Angeles to become filmmakers.

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.

The heartfelt message also thanked all teachers who go the extra mile to help their students. Ross also emphasized how important it is to support the arts in schools. “Shoutout to all the teachers out there making a difference. And please… let’s prioritize the arts in schools.”

Debuting in the final season of the popular Netflix science fiction series, Miss Harris is a schoolteacher. She once taught many of the characters who are now battling the villain, Vecna (Jamie Campbell-Bower).

In Stranger Things’ current timeline, her classroom becomes one of Vecna’s new targets. Disguised as an imaginary friend, he has introduced himself to several of her students. He claims that he is a “guardian” who is trying to protect them from the “monsters.” Although his actual plans remain unclear, his goal is to kidnap them all, beginning with Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher).

After Will (Noah Schnapp) realizes the villain’s agenda, he and his friends try to help the endangered children escape from Hawkins. Their rescue plan falls apart when the army places Miss Harris and her whole class under quarantine at a base in the heart of the fictional town. The standoff that follows leads to a dramatic confrontation between Will and Vecna.

Stranger Things season 5, volume 1, is now available to stream on Netflix. Volume 2 will be released on December 25, 2025, and the finale will drop on December 31, 2025.