actor Eduardo Franco has revealed that his character , which suggests another fan-favorite season 4 figure also won’t return. With a huge ensemble cast that has continued to grow in scale with each season, it’s not surprising to learn that some memorable characters won't be back for . While some post-season 1 characters like Max, Robin, Murray, and Dr. Owens have become integral to ’ overarching narrative, other figures, understandably or divisively, only serve one-season arcs before being written out.
Among season 4’s biggest new characters was Argyle, introduced as Jonathan’s best friend in California.
Embodying the ‘80s stoner stereotype, Argyle provided his iconic Surfer Boy Pizza delivery van for the California group’s cross-country road trip to Hawkins alongside Jonathan, Will, Mike, and Eleven. However, while it seemed Argyle might stay in Hawkins after , Franco confirmed that he never got a call to reprise his role for season 5. With filming already underway, the news of Argyle’s absence hints that another new character may be left out of ’ final season as well.
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Stranger Things features an ever-expanding cast who will the likes of Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven and Finn Wolfhard's Mike.If Jonathan’s best friend Argyle isn’t returning for season 5’s Hawkins-set tale, then it’s more than likely that the Russia-based Enzo/Dmitri won’t be part of the final season’s cast. Enzo ended season 4 having seemingly gone back to Indiana alongside Murray, Joyce, and Hopper, though he wasn’t featured in the outing’s final scene at the cabin. While Enzo is presumably in Indiana during this scene, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll stay; Argyle also concluded season 4 in Hawkins, yet it seems he’s now back in California.
It’s already been confirmed that from season 1, leaving little space for newer non-Hawkins characters like Argyle and Enzo. Actor Tom Wlaschiha has also yet to confirm that he’ll reprise his role as Enzo, which could mean the Russia storyline will be ignored in season 5. With a time jump confirmed for season 5, both Argyle and Enzo’s absences in Hawkins could potentially be explained by stating they fled in the months after Vecna destroyed the town, with Enzo still hiding from Russian officials.
While it would make sense for Enzo/Dmitri to be absent from season 5 as the show returns to the core original Hawkins characters, he can’t be forgotten entirely. His storyline with Hopper, Joyce, and Murray helped highlight the global nature of and potential for mass destruction from the Upside Down’s takeover, so defeating this dimension can’t occur without revealing what happened at the Russian prison. While this could be accomplished through ’ trademark newsreels, the notion that Enzo is a hero also trying to save the world outside Hawkins is an important point that shouldn’t be ignored.
Production for
season 5 began on January 8, 2024. The final season has still yet to receive an official release date from Netflix.
Furthermore, while can be rationalized by returning home to his family, Enzo’s fate is more complex. Enzo fled Russia as a fugitive, so he can’t simply return home without risking harsh punishment or death. Additionally, after Enzo/Dmitri opened up about his relationship with his son, Hopper wouldn’t abandon him without ensuring his safety. If Enzo doesn’t come back for season 5, then the Netflix show at least needs to confirm that he’s safe in hiding, finding a way to reunite with his son, or helping battle the Upside Down elsewhere.
Release Date July 15, 2016
Cast , joe keery , Jamie Campbell Bower , Brett Gelman , Caleb McLaughlin , , , Matthew Modine , Priah Ferguson , Gaten Matarazzo , , Charlie Heaton , Sadie Sink , , Joseph Quinn , Dacre Montgomery , Natalia Dyer , Noah Schnapp
Story By The Duffer Brothers
Streaming Service(s)
