Stepping into a global phenomenon brings equal parts awe, pressure, and surprises. For newcomers joining a long-running series, notably, the experience is shaped as much by the scale behind the camera as by the story unfolding on screen. As Stranger Things rolls out its highly anticipated fifth and final season, the atmosphere on set was reportedly more intense than ever, mirroring the high stakes of the show’s endgame.

That intensity, according to new cast member Jake Connelly, went beyond emotional or dramatic moments and involved grand production nuances. 

Jake Connelly, who portrays Derek Turnbow in Stranger Things 5, revealed in an interview with WBEZ that the season’s set was more extreme than he ever imagined. The actor revealed that while he thought the IP employed a lot of CGI and greenscreen to bring scenes to life, being a part of the show made him realize that the production leaned heavily on real stunts.

"There were people flying on wires and people actually getting set on fire. Real explosions. It was so amazing," Connelly said, especially referencing the last minutes of Stranger Things season five, volume one.

For those yet to watch the installment of Stranger Things, it features the first four episodes of the conclusive season, with episode four focusing on the Hawkins crew executing their rescue plan for children marked by Vecna from a militarized zone. Things, however, go awry when Demogorgons overwhelm the location, leading to a showdown between them and the protagonists.

And as Stranger Things loyalists would know, where there is a showdown in Hawkins, there is definitely fire and explosions. Besides the production details of Stranger Things 5, meanwhile, Jake Connelly, in his WBEZ interview, reflected on how he prepared for his part in the show.

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According to Connelly, he approached his turn in Stranger Things by taking things as they came, keeping preparation minimal.

Jake Connelly prepared for Stranger Things 5 by going over his lines and staying present on set. Connelly’s character, for those unversed, starts as a bully in the season before his arc shifts. While the actor admitted that carrying out the flip was challenging, he said reviewing his dialogue extensively was how he dealt with it.

Ultimately, as Stranger Things approaches its closing, the show continues to push boundaries, blending high-stakes action with complex character arcs. For Jake Connelly, the experience was both thrilling and educational, as it tested his adaptability and commitment on a massive film set. Viewers, meanwhile, can expect the intensity to rise even further in Stranger Things Season 5 Volume Two, set to arrive soon, with certainly more stunts, surprises, and emotional turns. With the finale looming, the series is clearly preparing to go out with a spectacular bang.

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What do you think of Jake Connelly’s revelations about the Stranger Things 5 set? Let us know in the comments.