10 Actors Who Auditioned For Stranger Things But Were Rejected

Stranger Things has quickly become one of Netflix’s and TV's biggest hits. With its 80s nostalgia and ability to capture an audience of any age, there’s nothing the scifi show can’t do. But - getting to the point of success didn’t come without its low points - including a lot of rejection for the actors and the Duffer Brothers themselves.

Casting for a show like Stranger Things involved months of research, preparations, and auditions that in this case left over one thousand actors with no call backs, no offers, or just flat out rejections.

Ready to find out why actors like Noah Schnapp and Joe Keery didn’t almost make the cut or how Sean Astin's audition tape completely changed the casting crews tactics. Auditions for Stranger Things were just as - if not more- intense than taking a trip to the upside down to save Will.

Did you know we were this close to not having David Harbour and Winona Ryder as our Hopper and Joyce, these two actors weren’t anywhere on the Duffer Brothers radar. The expectations for a Stranger Things audition tape were through the roof, just ask Dacre Montgomery! Some actors even lied their way to the top which almost cost them their reputation and the Stranger Things roll.

Luckily things worked out in the end, but it was a rollercoaster getting there for many involved. What audition story was your favorite? Do you know of any other actors who auditioned for Stranger Things? Let us know in the comment section below. Thanks for watching!

Chapters:

0:00 - 0:35 Intro
0:35 - 1:06 Skylar Gaertner
1:06 - 1:32 Eli Tokash
1:32 - 2:09 Noah Schnapp
2:09 - 2:49 Joe Keery
2:49 - 3:32 Sean Astin
3:32 - 4:33 The Audition Process
4:33 - 5:24 Winona Ryder
5:24 - 6:14 David Harbour
6:14 - 7:02 Sadie Sink
7:02 - 7:46 Dacre Montgomery
7:46 - 8:04 Outro

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Written by: Alyssa Goulart
Narrated by: Kydra Ryan
Edited by: Olena L

[EieAlt]

If they didnt pick Winona Ryder the show wouldnt be where it was today. One of the best parts of her character is how driven she is for everything and Winona does the insanity perfectly

[ayayesko]

Joe wanted a calm role but became a mother instead

[binosworld]

No one is talking about Billy. Can't imagine any other actors that could pull that role. Great choice!

[riccee]

I believe one of the main reasons for the series success is having unknowns (except for Ryder) as the main cast. Studios may think established "celebrities" bring in audiences, but I guarantee seeing new faces onscreen is more entertaining than anything. It's almost as important as the story itself.

[shockedcat]

"I'm Finn Wolfhard. I'm sick."
Damn this guy never fail to make me laugh.

[alessandraganal]

Fun fact: Finn actually auditioned for the role of Will too (it'd be weird seeing them with the opposite roles lmao)

[debeebeb]

Caleb: 13
Noah: 10
Millie: 11
Gaten: 12
Finn: ✨ S I C K ✨

[DIRTYPRODiGY]

David Harbour honestly carried the show. The best actor in the series and really was a fantastic portrayal in S4.

[PeytonSlim]

They did great job with the casting. The kids were legit kids. They had that real awkwardness that is relatable instead of self assured kids acting like adults. You can definitely tell how specific the Duffer brothers were with what they were looking for and refused to accept anything less than that.

[lirapee]

i could never imagine ST with a different cast

[peggymoexd]

Noah should be really proud that he didn't get Mike but Will instead. There is so much more depth to his character than Mike's and the responsibility of fleshing out much of the upside down and the way it works fell on his shoulders in several seasons, and he absolutely killed it. The scene of the Mind Flayer "possessing" him sent chills down my spine. Also Winona Ryder has really cemented herself as one of the best actors of our time in the role of Joyce. While my wife and I watched this show we couldn't stop saying "shes such a good actor" to each other after her scenes xD

[sien]

I can't imagine anyone else playing Dustin. Gaten was literally born for that role.

[ayelenmaldonado]

Fun fact: Dacre is the only actor who got booked without a callback. They saw his audition tape and they immediately booked him. He didn't audition again.

[artistevivien]

They’re as iconic as the Harry Potter kids. Stellar, perfect casting and I can’t imagine anyone else replacing them.

[Stylomagic]

To give the role to Winona Ryder was absolutely the right thing to do. Its not because we all missed her so much, its her energy! No one could play a misunderstood mother, who also has a twist in the 4th season and does a very, very chaotic rescue, than her. She is a very special actress and a very beautiful and special person! Also very misunderstood by Hollywood.

[KaelynElizabeth]

I can't imagine Hopper as anyone but David Harbour

[nottodaysatan]

Steve as jonathon would have killed me

[ameliesyt]

No one does Steve better than Joe periodt.

[akalius]

I feel like the role that couldn't have been replaced with another actor was Joyce's role. It is such a unic and iconic role in the series (especially season 1) and she played it perfectly to be the caring mother we saw.

[CharliGill]

Fun fact: no matter how played the characters people will ALWAYS say “no one can replace the cast” but if someone else was out in a role you would say the same thing. E.g. Stranger Things and Harry Potter