Winona Ryder looks back on ten years of involvement in theStranger Thingsfranchise, giving an honest recollection of how her perspective on her acting has changed with time. Ryder portrays Joyce Byers in the beloved Netflix sci-fi hit, an ’80s single mother from the quiet town of Hawkins whose youngest child goes missing, pulling her into a world of terrifying monsters, conspiracies, and alternate dimensions.Stranger Thingsseason 5is set to end the series, which is currently filming and expected to release in 2025.
As Ryder returns to the big screen inBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceas an older Lydia Deetz, the star opened up toEsquireabout her other recent major role. WhileRyder has had an inkling herStranger Thingscasting was based upon the show’s ’80s nostalgia, and was reluctant to be carrying on the role of Joyce into her 50s, she has grown to appreciate her place within the franchise, partly thanks to her young co-stars. Check out Ryder’s full response below:
I’ve gone from being the youngest person on set to being the oldest. And I’m not oblivious in any way about the reason they came to me for it. I know there is an element of nostalgia [to her casting]. I am aware…. Ten years! I never thought. [At first] I was like, ‘I don’t want to be doing this when I’m in my fifties!’ It’s nuts, and its extra nuts to be my age. But I love the boys and I love [the actors] Sadie [Sink] and Maya [Hawke]. It’s been really wonderful.
Joyce Byers Helped Stranger Things Solidify Itself As A Streaming Powerhouse
Ryder’s Role Is One Of The Show’s Most Beloved Figures
WhileStranger Things' talented young cast are the stars of the series,Ryder’s casting did help hook viewers, as the series has seen multiple ’80s icons take on roles across its currently released seasons,with Linda Hamilton joiningfor the final outing. However, Ryder’s casting as Joyce is one of the series' best additions to this day, as Ryder’s portrayal of a struggling desperate mother trying to rescue her son is one of season 1’s main emotional hooks. But Ryder’s character wasn’t content to wait for the authorities to help, taking matters into her own hands.
Stranger Things' young cast may have been breakout stars, but Ryder’s Joyce is its beating heart.
From pushing Chief Hopper (David Harbour) to find her son, Will (Noah Schnapp), defying police reports when a false body throws the town’s searches off, to putting her faith in the unknown when Will tries to communicate between worlds, Joyce has always been ready to do whatever she can for her loved ones. With each season, Joyce’s dedication would become a key aspect of her character, not only challenging authorities but also taking on Soviet forces on US soil and their home turf.Stranger Things' young cast may have been breakout stars, but Ryder’s Joyce is its beating heart.
Stranger Things: 10 Quotes That Perfectly Sum Up Joyce As A Character
There are a number of great quotes that manage sum up the personality of Joyce, one of the best characters to emerge from Stranger Things.
With Joyce’s importance toStranger Things' success, it may be impossible for many to imagine the series being a hit without Ryder’s involvement. While stunt casting has been embraced by the series as part of its overall fondness for its era’s setting, Ryder doesn’t fall back on old iconography, instead crafting a character just as memorable as any of her breakout roles. As such,Stranger Thingswould be a poorer show without the captivating performance that Rydey has delivered with each season.
Stranger Things
Cast
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
