Stranger Things 5: Matthew Modine’s Papa isn't dead? Actor hints at the return of his nightmare character

19 days ago | 5 Views

Living in anticipation of Stranger Things Season 5 is getting more difficult with each passing day. The makers, in the last few weeks, have made it even harder with all the promotional material and the release year confirmation. Fans of the show who were previously confused about everything finally got some clarity, which has only fueled curiosity further. Considering this is the final season of the show—which will be nearly a decade old by the time it airs—it’s given that the makers are preparing something extraordinary for fans. But that also means the potential return of characters we never expected to see again. Now, what if we tell you that Papa, aka Hawkins Lab head Dr. Martin Brenner, might be one of those returning characters? There’s even a possibility that he might not be dead in the Stranger Things universe.

Matthew Modine Returns in Stranger Things Season 5

We all know that the end of Season 4 saw Eleven defeat Papa and save herself. However, what surprised viewers was Brenner apparently dying—or at least appearing dead in that moment. But everything could change now, as Matthew Modine, who plays Martin Brenner in Stranger Things, recently hinted in an interview that his time on the show might not be over. This revelation suggests he could return as the dangerous and despised character once more.

Speaking with Vulture, Modine shared how he wouldn’t want Brenner to be dead. He also posed some intriguing questions for Stranger Things fans, saying, “Three things are curious to me: How did he [Brenner] survive the Demogorgon? How did he survive One? And when Eleven tries to use her power against Dr. Brenner after blowing three guards in the air, he unflinchingly thwarts her and says, ‘You didn’t think it was going to be that easy, did you?’ She couldn’t get it to work on him. Is there something more to Brenner than meets the eye?”

About Stranger Things Season 5

Season 5 of Stranger Things is moving onto a bigger, bolder, and more dangerous canvas. With the Russians now entering the game, Vecna having a body, and Will feeling its presence again, the excitement to uncover what happens next is at an all-time high. Season 5 will be the final season of the show, marking one last time to see the beloved gang together. The series stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder in leading roles.

The teaser, shared yesterday by the streamer, confirmed the episode count and titles for the final season. They are as follows:

Episode 1: "The Crawl"

Episode 2: "The Vanishing"

Episode 3: "The Turnbow Trap"

Episode 4: "Sorcerer"

Episode 5: "Shock Jock"

Episode 6: "Escape from Camazotz"

Episode 7: "The Bridge"

Episode 8: "The Rightside Up"

The teaser also confirms that Stranger Things Season 5 will debut on Netflix in 2025.