Finn Wolfhard Opens Up About Mike Wheeler's Final Arc
As Stranger Things approaches its much-anticipated fifth and final season, series star Finn Wolfhard is sharing his emotional reaction to how his character, Mike Wheeler, bows out of the Netflix phenomenon. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 22-year-old actor revealed he felt a complicated mix of emotions about the conclusion of the character he’s played since 2016.
“I was so happy with his ending,” Wolfhard said. “I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad — but also very happy.” While cryptic, his comments suggest a powerful and possibly unexpected conclusion for one of the show’s original core characters.
Final Season of Stranger Things Set to Stream in 2025
Stranger Things debuted in July 2016 and quickly became a pop culture juggernaut. Known for its blend of 1980s nostalgia, science fiction, and horror, the series follows a group of teens in Hawkins, Indiana, as they battle supernatural threats like the Upside Down and the villainous Vecna.
Though Netflix has kept details about season 5 under wraps, the story is expected to pick up after the dramatic events of season 4, where Vecna (played by Jamie Campbell Bower) severely damaged Hawkins in his bid to merge dimensions. Fans anticipate a climactic showdown as the Hawkins crew — including Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) — prepare for one last stand.
A Bittersweet Goodbye On Set
Wolfhard admitted that filming his final scenes didn’t immediately feel real. “It felt like I was in a dream,” he said. “None of it felt real. It didn’t start to go into focus until the next day — like an emotional hangover.”
He added that the cast was together for the final day of shooting, describing the experience as deeply emotional and meaningful. “The cast all stayed for the last day, we were all there together. It was really great to be around each other.”
Stranger Things: A Life-Changing Ride
Since Stranger Things skyrocketed to global fame, the cast has grown up in the public eye. Wolfhard reflected on the suddenness of that transition, saying, “I don’t think I’d ever go back and do something over, but maybe I would go back to when the show first came out and blew up, and I would directly put myself into therapy.”
The actor acknowledged that fame came quickly and intensely, leaving little room for reflection. Still, he maintains that trial and error is part of growing up. “I think childhood, and life in general, is about trial and error,” he said.
What’s Next for Finn Wolfhard
Outside of Hawkins, Wolfhard continues to build an impressive resume. His recent horror-comedy film, Hell of a Summer, which he co-directed, debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. Up next is The Legend of Ochi, set to release in theaters on April 25, 2025.
As Stranger Things fans brace for the final season, Wolfhard’s comments suggest a satisfying — if emotionally complex — send-off for one of the show’s most beloved characters.