Stranger Things: 10 Best Supporting Characters

Premiering on Netflix in July 2016, Stranger Things became a cultural phenomenon fuelled with euphoric 80s nostalgia and chilling sci-fi horror. Three seasons later, it remains the streaming giant’s most successful additions, breaking viewership figures with its third season. And with a fourth season slated for May 2022 (yes, we need to wait that long) fans can expect to reunite with the Hawkins gang for another binge-worthy outing.

Alongside the heart-pounding suspense and dazzling cinematography prominent throughout each series, what really makes the Duffer Brothers’ show great is its vibrant cast of characters.

From the core cast of loveable youngsters to the adults who’ve become caught-up in the fray, each of the Hawkins residents is brought to life by an extremely talented cast who've kept their character grounded and relatable in a small town that's been turned upside down. In short: the show has a lot of heart, which is why it’s so easy to fall in love with it.

However, it’s not just the central protagonists who've managed to steal the spotlight. Each character (no matter how small) has played a vital part in making Stranger Things what it is, with these being the best.

Beware major spoilers for all three seasons.

Making his short-lived appearance in the third season, Alexei (Alec Utgoff) is a Russian scientist who was working on a secret project under Hawkins' Starcourt Mall to open a portal to the dreaded Upside Down. However, after Joyce and Hopper manage to infiltrate the base, Alexei is taken hostage by them so that they can extract information from him.

Although he may technically be working for the bad guys, Alexei is the furthest thing from evil. A strong bond is quickly formed between him and resident oddball Murray (the only one able to communicate in Russian with him), and he'd shown to be the personification of innocence.

Alexei was essentially forced into working on the Soviet project for fear of his life. He’d rather spend his time watching Woody Woodpecker cartoons while drinking a cherry Slurpee. He’s rarely without a huge, childlike grin on his face, which will made fans root to see him escape his Russian pursuers.

But tragedy strikes at a fun fair when he lovable scientist is gunned down by Soviet assassin Grigori moments after winning a giant Woody Woodpecker toy. Watching his grin dissipate into confused terror is outright heart-breaking. Alexei was too good for Hawkins.