The Duffer Brothers Finally Address Steve Harrington’s Fate in Stranger Things 5

As anticipation for the final chapter reaches a breaking point, the Duffer Brothers have finally spoken about the fate of one of the show’s most beloved characters: Steve Harrington. While stopping short of revealing spoilers, the creators hinted that Stranger Things 5 will be emotionally unforgiving, with real consequences and no guaranteed happy endings. As Stranger Things is ready to say goodbye, one thing is clear: Steve’s journey may test hearts in ways viewers are not ready for.

The moment came during a December 17 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, just days before the release of Volume 2 on Christmas Day. Host Jimmy Fallon handed Matt and Ross Duffer a collection of Funko Pop figures representing key characters and challenged them to arrange the dolls in a way that teased the remainder of Season 5 without giving too much away. What followed was a playful yet nerve-wracking display that sent fans into a spiral—especially when it came to Joe Keery’s iconic babysitter.

The brothers started innocently enough, knocking the Barb figure to the floor with a casual “What is Barb doing here?”—a nod to the Season 1 death that still haunts the fandom. They stacked Will Byers beneath Henry Creel and Vecna, hinting at his lingering psychic connection to the Upside Down’s big bad. Eleven was positioned in a confined space, suggesting impending restraint or struggle. But the real gasp came when they turned to Steve.

Repeatedly nudging his Funko Pop toward the edge of Fallon’s desk, the Duffers let it teeter precariously as the studio audience protested. They pushed it closer, closer, until it nearly toppled—stopping just short but making their point crystal clear. Steve Harrington, the former King of Hawkins High turned selfless hero, appeared to be in mortal peril.

This wasn’t the first time the Duffers have toyed with Steve’s mortality. They’ve openly admitted that, in the original Season 1 plan, Steve was meant to die—a typical jock bully with no redemption arc in sight. But Joe Keery’s charismatic performance changed everything. “We fell in love with him,” Matt Duffer has said, explaining how the character survived and evolved into the heart of the series: the protective big brother to Dustin, the loyal friend to Robin, and the romantic interest whose chemistry with Nancy Wheeler has kept shippers invested for years.

Now, in the final season, those early intentions seem to resurface like a bad omen. Volume 1, released on November 26, ramped up the stakes with an all-out war against Vecna, massive rifts tearing through Hawkins, and emotional farewells looming. Trailers for Volume 2 have amplified the dread, featuring Steve and Dustin’s heartbreaking exchange: “You die, I die.” It’s a line that underscores their unbreakable bond while planting seeds of tragedy.

Fans have long feared Steve’s demise precisely because his arc feels complete. From selfish teen to courageous protector—wielding nail bats against Demogorgons and sacrificing himself time and again—he embodies the show’s themes of growth and found family. Killing him off would deliver the gut-punch the Duffers have promised: a finale with “real consequences” and no plot armor for fan favorites. Yet many argue it would be too cruel, especially after Eddie Munson’s devastating Season 4 death left Dustin shattered. Steve has become the emotional anchor for so many viewers; losing him could fracture the fandom.

The Duffers remain coy, insisting their Funko stunt was partly in jest. “We’re attached to these characters too,” Ross has said, acknowledging the difficulty of writing endings. But their track record—Bob Newby, Eddie, Max’s near-death—shows they’re unafraid of heartbreak when it serves the story. As Volume 2 drops on December 25, followed by the supersized finale on New Year’s Eve (with theatrical screenings for the last episode), the question dominates every discussion: Will Steve make it out of the Upside Down?

One thing is certain: whatever happens, Steve Harrington’s legacy is secure. He turned a potential villain into an enduring icon, proving that sometimes the best characters are the ones who refuse to die—until, perhaps, they finally do. As the lights dim on Hawkins one last time, fans brace for impact. Protect Steve at all costs? The Duffer Brothers might just disagree.