Stranger Things: 5 Best & 5 Worst Characters

The first series of Stranger Things has gathered as much hype as any of the biggest shows on TV today. The combination of the supernatural mystery, the retro 80s backdrop and a host of incredible performances has made this the classic 'you haven't seen it?!' show of recent months.

While it's been quite a while since the first season was released it still remains prominent in our collective consciousness months after our first viewing, and perhaps the greatest reason for this is the host of engaging, relatable characters that Stranger Things brings to life. The air of mystery and suspense the show created was intensely gripping, but it was the characters moving through and shaping this world that had us hooked. For the most part the plot unfolds before both the characters and the audience in tandem, and the range of outstanding performances keep us invested from beginning to end.

While many of the performances and characters were terrific there were regrettably some that crept into the show that were absolute trash. While some characters were wholly unique, others were paint-by-numbers, cliched nonsense. They weren't enough to derail the show however, and this was due to the counter-acting of some of the best television performances we have seen in years.

Here are the 5 worst characters in Stranger Things, followed by the 5 best.

While Steve turns his attitude around towards the end of the series, he spends most of it as the quintessential jock moron. He bullies Jonathan, hangs around with complete troglodytes (we'll get to them) and considers himself an absolute dreamboat, a true lady-killer. The 'cool guy that in reality no one would think is cool' is just too much of a cliche for fans to truly get behind and he sticks out like a sore thumb when put in a story universe with so much originality and intrigue.

Perhaps worst of all, he makes Nancy seem like a damn fool for being swooned by his charm tactics, from being so suave he actually drinks and smokes, to turning up unannounced at her window to 'study.' Nancy is supposedly a bright, intelligent student who is going through a rebellious phase, but no amount of teenage angst could possibly allow her to see him as anything other than the grease bag he is. What was one poorly designed character almost ruined a second.