So, Some of the ‘Stranger Things’ “Kids” Are Actually Waaay Older Than You Realize

The kids of Stranger Things have grown up—and so have the actors who play them, because, well, that’s how the linear progression of time works. But because time marches on at a steady pace IRL no matter how much time passes in the fictional world of Hawkins, Indiana (or how long production is delayed for things like global pandemics/writers’ strikes), you may have started to really notice that the “kids” of Stranger Things are definitely no longer “kids” in real life.

For a little context, Stranger Things premiered in 2016 and the events of the first season begin in November 1983. By season 5 (the first third of which just dropped on Netflix for your viewing pleasure), the show’s timeline has progressed to fall of 1987. So while only four years have passed within the world of the show, nine years have passed in the real world, which helps explain why the cast members are starting to look so noticeably older than their onscreen alter egos.

Here’s a look at just how big the age gaps between the Stranger Thing actors and the characters they play are.

Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven)

• Age on the show: 16
• Age IRL: 21

Millie was born on February 19, 2004, meaning she’s officially a legal adult in the real world. Eleven, on the other hand, was born on June 7, 1971 (according to the Stranger Things Wiki), making the character 16 during the events of season 5. FWIW, though, Eleven and Millie were both 12 in season 1.

Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler)

• Age on the show: 16
• Age IRL: 22

According to the graphic novel Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, Mike’s birthday is April 7, 1971. Finn, meanwhile, was born on December 23, 2002, making him a full six years older than his character.

Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson)

• Age on the show: 14 or 15
• Age IRL: 23

Like most of the kid characters, Dustin’s birthday is in 1971 (his is May 29, apparently), meaning the character is also 16 in the current season. IRL, Gaten has a September birthday, making him a few months older than Finn.

Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair)

• Age on the show: 16
• Age IRL: 24

Caleb’s age gap with his character slightly larger than the rest of the D&D crew (he’s a year older than Gaten and Finn IRL) but if we had to award one of these guys a Most Visibly Grown title, it would be him.

Noah Schnapp (Will Byers)

• Age on the show: 16
• Age IRL: 21

Though Will was also born in the spring of 1971, Noah is the bb of the kid cast IRL (he just turned 21!).

Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield)

• Age on the show: 16
• Age IRL: 23

While Max is (you guessed it) 16 in season 5, Sadie turned 23 in April.

Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler)

• Age on the show: 20
• Age IRL: 30

Nancy was born in 1967, making her 20 in season 5. In real life, Natalia is a full 10 years older (but honestly still looks pretty baby-faced).

Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers)

• Age on the show: 20
• Age IRL: 31

Jonathan was born the same year as Nancy, but Charlie is about a year older than Natalia in real life. Unlike her, he is not so eternally baby-faced.

Joe Keery (Steve Harrington)

• Age on the show: 21
• Age IRL: 33 (!!!)

The Stranger Things “kid” who wins the Furthest From Being an Actual Child award is Joe Keery, who turned 33 in April and is currently playing Steve, who is a dozen years younger than he is IRL. At least Steve is supposed to be a little older than the other teen characters?

Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley)

• Age on the show: 19
• Age IRL: 27

Maya is actually significantly closer to her character’s age than most of the older Hawkins teens, so at least there’s that.

Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair)

• Age on the show: 13
• Age IRL: 19

Priah and the Stranger Things costume and makeup teams deserve all the awards for making the obvious 19-year-old above even remotely pass for a middle school student.