Near the end of the series, the young actors recount what it was like growing up in front of the cameras

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“You see things that other people don’t necessarily see, and the only people you share those things with are these friends,” Finn Wolfhard, now 22, recalled recently.

The first part of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things is now available on Netflix. More episodes will arrive at Christmas and the finale on New Year’s Eve. In interviews, the young stars — all adults now, the oldest in her 30s — have recalled the series and how they were shaped by it.

“The first season came out while I was at camp and I had no real contact with the outside world. I remember my mom sending me messages saying I had just hit 10,000 followers on Instagram and got a fan page. And the dread of being a 10-year-old kid and me walking up to my friends, like, ‘Hey guys!’ I’m famous!” And in the midst of all the chaos and attention, the other cast members kept me grounded. I think if I had been alone, it would have been possible.” “It was a disaster.”

Millie Bobby Brown (eleven)

“One day a friend asked me if I’d ever been to Washington, and I said, ‘Yes, I’ve met Obama.’ It was a different kind of childhood, but it was beautiful in its own unique way. We lived every day as if it were our last, hugging and talking and spending more time together. We tried hard to do that. In previous seasons, we took it for granted because you thought, ‘I’ll see you next year!’. But we wouldn’t see each other next year.”

“The show became so big overnight, it was the craziest feeling. The only people who could understand it were the other actors. I met a lot of the cast members in New York, and when I left it was this horrible feeling that was like separation anxiety. We’ve had this intense love and sense of belonging for so long. So it’s going to be hard to get used to.” (with change)“.

“People who start acting at a young age, there’s a stigma around them getting lost or getting caught up in the chaos. I think we were able to overcome that. There were a lot of tears, but there was a sense of security knowing that we were going to be friends for the rest of our lives. I don’t think you can spend such a formative time with people and not stay in touch long-term.”

“There was a balance that the Duffers provided for us – even when we were on set, they allowed us to be kids. They allowed us to fully express and live our teenage years. And while I understand why it ended, I never thought this day would come. I will always be friends with everyone, and we will maintain the relationship, but it will never be the same.”

“I didn’t get over rookie syndrome until season five. Then it was like for every happy moment, Abba’s song ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ was playing in my head. So I had a really hard time. It’s so beautiful that this is a show about friendship and loyalty and courage and teamwork. And that’s what I’ll learn from it on a personal level.”

Charlie Heaton (Jonathan)

“It became a huge show, but every new season was like going back to camp. All that noise went away and you’re back with the same people doing the same thing. It was like we were a family. Seeing the kids all become adults and individuals… I’m so proud of all of them. They’ve grown up in the spotlight, and they’re amazing. And everyone does it in their own way.”

“It started out very small: It’s a city in the middle of nowhere with a monster. I had no idea that I would eventually be shooting in water tanks and doing all these crazy scenes. That’s how I lived my 20s, so it feels like a chapter really. Working on this show helped shape who I am as an actress and as a person.”

“We’re connected because we were part of something that gained notoriety overnight, but it all happened to us together. So, if there’s a strange experience, we have this group of people that we can share it with, and support each other. You’re looking back at the whole 10-year period. You’re experiencing all of these things for the last time, the last outfit adjustment or haircut, the last scene. Everything has a deeper meaning, and it’s impossible to escape the emotions. It’s the full spectrum.”