'Stranger Things' One of the Most Beloved Stars Went Out of His Way to Hunt for the Role

Published 03/22/2026, 3:21 AM EDT

Netflix’s biggest sci-fi show, Stranger Things, became a global phenomenon, catapulting its actors to immense fame and success. The signs were already there back in 2016, and one cast member had fortunately picked it up right in time. The actor, who entered the Stranger Things universe in Season 2, explained how he had to hustle his way into landing a role in the world of Demogorgons and mysteries. 

Now, after becoming one of the show’s most crucial characters, he admits he walked in with little expectation, only to end up right at the heart of the chaos.

Actor reveals efforts to land a Stranger Things role

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One of the most beloved and important characters in Stranger Things is Murray Bauman, played by Brett Gelman. Speaking to ScreenTime, Gelman revealed that he was already a fan of the first season and had predicted the show would become huge. So, he asked his agent to land him an audition, and the rest is history.

“I immediately called my agent and I was like, please get me an audition for the show and he did and I got it,” he said.

“I didn't know if Murray was gonna go beyond season two. Not only was I in the next season but, they just made the character a major part of the show, which I'm very grateful for,” he added.

Gelman further appreciated the opportunity to work with Winona Ryder. For those who may not remember, Murray was introduced as a former investigative journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, hired by the Hollands to look into their daughter Barbara’s disappearance. However, after his appearances in Seasons 3 and 4, Gelman, who starred in Entitled, became a member of the main cast.

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Another important actor to join the series in Season 2, though briefly, was Dacre Montgomery, who revealed that his audition was a risky move. 

Dacre Montgomery recalled his audition for Stranger Things

Dacre Montgomery played the antagonistic role of Billy Hargrove, Max’s stepbrother, who gradually reveals a more human and understanding side by the end of Season 3. In a conversation with Refinery29, Montgomery shared that his audition for Stranger Things was slightly risky.

“I'm a fan of going against the grain. That audition could have gone one of two ways. I could have never worked in this industry again, but someone, somewhere, saw something,” he said. 

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To audition for the role, Dacre Montgomery recalled making a short video where he read his lines and then boldly danced to 'Hungry Like the Wolf' by Duran Duran. It clearly worked, as he landed the role and moved to America within just three weeks to play Billy. Every actor has their own story of how they made it into Stranger Things, and each one is certainly as unique as the show itself.

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What do you think about Gelman's story to get a role in Stranger Things? Let us know in the comments.

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Pritha Debroy

429 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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