'Stranger Things' fans fear key character's fate after finale tease

Fans of Stranger Things are buzzing with speculation over the fate of fan-favourite Steve Harrington following a recent appearance by series creators Matt and Ross Duffer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

During the interview, a playful segment involving Funko POP! figures of key characters reignited concern about what might happen to Steve in the show's final season, heightening anticipation ahead of the upcoming release.

The segment began innocuously enough, with the Duffer Brothers teasing elements of Stranger Things Season 5 through the small collectible figures. Ross Duffer picked up a figure of Barb, the character tragically killed off in the show's first season, and placed it on the floor.

Jimmy Fallon, visibly nostalgic, commented that he had always rooted for Barb and even jokingly suggested that she might make a return in the final season.

This opening moment set a playful tone but also reminded fans of the show's history of shocking character deaths, creating an air of suspense for what would come next.

The Duffer Brothers then moved on to other key figures. Eleven, the series' central protagonist, was placed inside a glass filled with water, a subtle nod to her powerful psychokinetic abilities and the recurring use of water imagery in previous seasons.

Will Byers, the boy who was trapped in the Upside Down during the first season, was positioned atop a figure representing Henry, while Vecna, one of the show's most formidable antagonists, loomed above Will. These arrangements sparked discussion among viewers, with fans poring over every detail for hidden meaning or hints about upcoming plot points.

It was Steve Harrington's figure that drew the most attention, however. Portrayed by Joe Keery, Steve has been one of the series' most beloved characters since his first appearance, evolving from a self-absorbed high school jock into a protective, heroic figure.

When Ross placed Steve's figure at the edge of the table and then pushed it off, the studio audience gasped and screamed, a reaction mirrored by fans online who immediately began debating the significance of the action. Fallon, keeping with the segment's playful tone, quipped that this might be "how Stranger Things ends," further fueling fan speculation.

After the Funko POP! segment, Fallon introduced a brief exclusive clip from Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2. Although the clip offered only a glimpse of the upcoming storyline, it circulated rapidly online, with fans dissecting every second for clues about character fates.

The combination of Ross Duffer's gesture and the sneak peek has left the fan community divided: some believe that Steve might actually meet his end in the final season, while others suggest the scene could be intentionally misleading, a playful misdirection by the creators designed to keep audiences guessing.

Social media reactions were immediate and intense. Fans debated theories, recalling Steve's long journey from the show's first season to the present, and expressing concern that he may not survive the climactic events of the series.

Others theorised that the Funko POP! stunt was deliberately ambiguous, intended to hint at danger without confirming anything, a tactic the Duffer Brothers have used in past seasons to maintain suspense.

Steve Harrington's character has grown into one of the show's most enduring figures, praised for his humor, loyalty, and development over the course of the series. His potential fate in the finale has become a topic of immense interest, particularly as viewers prepare for the final chapters.

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 is set to premiere on Netflix on December 25, 2025, with the series finale scheduled for December 31, 2025.

Fans will finally learn the truth about Steve Harrington and other key characters when the concluding episodes are released, bringing to a close a story that has captivated audiences for over a decade. In the meantime, segments like the one on Fallon's show continue to stoke excitement and debate, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the ultimate resolution of the series.

The playful yet suspenseful interaction between the Duffer Brothers and Fallon demonstrates the careful balance the creators maintain between teasing fans and protecting narrative surprises. For Steve Harrington's fans, it is a tense waiting game, as every gesture, clip, or comment is scrutinized for insight into the character's ultimate fate.