The Party
Eleven (Jane Hopper)
The Mage
Born Jane Ives, "Eleven" was kidnapped at birth and raised in Hawkins National Laboratory, where she was subjected to cruel experiments to develop her psychokinetic abilities. After escaping, she found a home with Mike and his friends, and later a father in Jim Hopper. Over the seasons, El evolves from a frightened, mute child into a powerful young woman trying to find her identity independent of her powers. She has saved the world multiple times, closing the Gate and battling the Mind Flayer, but her journey is defined by her desire for a normal life and the love she holds for her chosen family.
Status: Alive
Signature: Eggos
"Friends don't lie."
Mike Wheeler
The Paladin
The heart and leader of the Party, Mike is defined by his unwavering loyalty and determination. When Will went missing, Mike was the only one who refused to accept the worst. His bond with Eleven is the emotional core of the series; he taught her what friendship and love mean. As he grows older, Mike struggles with the changing dynamics of his friend group and his relationship with El, but he remains the "Paladin," always ready to jump into danger to protect those he cares about.
Status: Alive
Signature: Walkie-Talkie
"If anyone asks where I am, I've left the country."
Dustin Henderson
The Bard
Dustin is the diplomat and the scientific genius of the group. With his infectious optimism and curiosity, he often bridges the gap between the fantastical and the scientific. His unlikely friendship with Steve Harrington is a fan-favorite dynamic, evolving into a brotherly bond. Despite often being the comic relief, Dustin's knowledge of D&D lore and radio technology has been critical in solving the mysteries of the Upside Down, from identifying the Demogorgon to building Cerebro.
Status: Alive
Signature: Thinking Cap
"She's our friend and she's crazy!"
Lucas Sinclair
The Ranger
Lucas is the realist of the group, often skeptical of the supernatural but fiercely brave when action is needed. Initially wary of Eleven, he becomes one of her staunchest allies. His tactical mind and skill with the "Wrist Rocket" have saved the group on numerous occasions. In later seasons, Lucas struggles with the desire to be popular and fit in with the basketball team, causing friction with his friends, but he ultimately chooses his loyalty to the Party and his love for Max.
Status: Alive
Signature: Wrist Rocket
"We're talking about the destruction of our world as we know it."
Will Byers
The Cleric
Will is the "Boy Who Lived" of Hawkins. His abduction to the Upside Down in 1983 incited the events of the series. Even after his rescue, Will remains permanently tethered to the dark dimension, possessing "True Sight" that allows him to sense the Mind Flayer. Sensitive and artistic, Will struggles with the trauma of his past and the feeling of being left behind as his friends grow up and start dating. He is the moral compass, often sacrificing his own happiness for others.
Status: Alive
Signature: D&D Wizard Costume
"It's like... I'm stuck in a dream."
Max Mayfield
The Zoomer
Maxine "Max" Mayfield arrived in Hawkins as the cool, skateboarding new girl from California, trying to escape her abusive stepbrother, Billy. She quickly proved herself to be just as tough and resourceful as the boys, earning her place as the "Zoomer" of the party. After witnessing Billy's death, Max withdraws into guilt and depression, making her vulnerable to Vecna's curse. Her bravery in using herself as bait to lure Vecna is one of the most heroic acts in the series.
Status: Comatose
Signature: Walkman
"There's more to life than stupid boys."
The Adults
Jim Hopper
Chief of Police
Jim Hopper started as a cynical, alcoholic police chief haunted by the death of his daughter, Sara. The search for Will Byers reignited his sense of purpose. He adopts Eleven, becoming a fierce and protective father figure. Hopper is a man of action, willing to break the rules and face insurmountable odds—from fighting Demodogs to surviving a Russian prison—to keep his town and his daughter safe. His romance with Joyce is a slow-burn testament to their shared trauma and resilience.
Status: Alive
Signature: Police Hat / Magnum
"Mornings are for coffee and contemplation."
Joyce Byers
The Mother
Joyce Byers is the definition of maternal instinct weaponized. When everyone told her Will was dead, she strung up Christmas lights to talk to him. She is intuitive, relentless, and willing to look "crazy" if it means saving her family. Joyce is the glue that holds the investigation together, often seeing connections that others miss. She has faced the Mind Flayer, Russian spies, and the grief of losing Bob Newby, yet she remains the bravest person in Hawkins.
Status: Alive
Signature: Christmas Lights
"I don't care if anyone believes me!"
The Teens
Steve Harrington
The Babysitter
Steve Harrington has the best character arc in the show. Starting as a stereotypical popular bully, he transforms into "King Steve," the babysitter and protector of the younger kids. After losing Nancy, he finds a new purpose in fighting the supernatural alongside Dustin. Brave, selfless, and surprisingly good with a nail-bat, Steve constantly puts himself in harm's way for his friends. His friendship with Robin Buckley reveals his capacity for acceptance and genuine connection.
Status: Alive
Signature: Spiked Bat
"I'm stealthy, like a ninja."
Nancy Wheeler
The Journalist
Nancy Wheeler is a relentless investigator with a nose for the truth. Dissatisfied with the suburban status quo, she transforms from a studious girl next door into a shotgun-wielding warrior. Driven by guilt over Barb's death, she exposes Hawkins Lab and the Russian conspiracy. Nancy is the strategist of the older teens, often leading the charge into the Upside Down. Her romantic tension with Steve and Jonathan adds a layer of complexity to her fierce independence.
Status: Alive
Signature: Revolver
"We ask for forgiveness, not permission."
Jonathan Byers
The Outsider
Jonathan Byers is an outsider who observes the world through his camera lens. Deeply protective of his brother Will and his mother, he is a quiet pillar of strength. He bonds with Nancy over their shared trauma and desire to expose the truth. While he struggles with his future and financial responsibilities, Jonathan is always there when it counts, providing emotional support and physical backup in the fight against the Upside Down.
Status: Alive
Signature: Camera
"You shouldn't like things because people tell you you're supposed to."
Robin Buckley
The Alternative
Robin Buckley burst onto the scene as the sarcastic, polyglot co-worker of Steve at Scoops Ahoy. Her intelligence cracked the Russian code, and her humor kept the "Scoops Troop" sane. Robin's coming-out scene to Steve is a pivotal moment of vulnerability, solidifying their platonic soulmate status. She is quirky, anxious, and incredibly brave, proving that you don't need superpowers to be a hero—just a whiteboard and a sharp mind.
Status: Alive
Signature: Whiteboard
"We all die, my strange little child friend."
Eddie Munson
The Dungeon Master
Eddie Munson, the leader of the Hellfire Club, was the metalhead outcast Hawkins didn't know it needed. Wrongfully accused of murder, he spent most of Season 4 on the run. However, Eddie was never the monster they painted him to be. He was a kind-hearted nerd who took the younger kids under his wing. In the end, he chose not to run away, sacrificing himself in an epic guitar solo to distract the Demobats and save his friends.
Status: Deceased
Signature: Electric Guitar
"This is music!"
The Threats
Vecna (Henry Creel)
The Dark Wizard
Henry Creel, also known as "One," was the first subject of Hawkins Lab. Possessing immense psychic powers and a nihilistic worldview, he massacred the other children at the lab before being banished to the Upside Down by Eleven. There, he transformed into Vecna, the puppet master behind the Mind Flayer. He seeks to merge the Upside Down with the real world by preying on the trauma and guilt of teenagers to open gates between dimensions.
Status: Alive
Signature: Grandfather Clock
"Your suffering is almost at an end."