From left: Charlie Heaton as Jonthan Byers, Eduardo Franco as Argyle, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in "Stranger Things" Season 4.
From left: Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair and Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in "Stranger Things" Season 4.
Tom Wlaschiha as Dimitri in "Stranger Things" Season 4
Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner dies in Netflix's "Stranger Things."
Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

Netflix's bizarre yet irreplicable megahit show is coming to an end after nearly a decade, and fans are gearing up for the epic "Stranger Things" climax with high expectations.

Whether viewers recently rewatched the first four seasons of the series or are going into Season 5 with vague recollections from 2022, many are wondering who they will − and who they won't see − when the first four episodes drop on Wednesday, Nov. 26, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Of course, central characters like Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour) will appear on our screens for the dramatic end. Yet with such a massive ensemble that has only expanded since its 2016 roots, many are dying to know who will be there for the show's official sendoff.

If you need a refresher of Season 1-4, USA TODAY Entertainment Reporter Brendan Morrow has got you covered here with a full recap.

'Stranger Things' Season 4 character refresher

New characters introduced in Season 4, like Argyle (Eduardo Franco) and Dimitri (Tom Wlaschiha), have not been confirmed to return to Season 5. Others, like fan favorite Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), will definitely not return after the character heroically died in the Upside Down last season.

"I love that Joe Quinn is toying with people! But no, he's dead," co-creator Matt Duffer said in an October interview with Empire. "Joe is so busy anyway that everyone should know he's not coming back. He's shot like five movies since! When the hell has he got time to come and shoot 'Stranger Things'? No, sadly, RIP. He's fully under that ground."

Meanwhile, the newly introduced villain, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), is not only returning for Season 5 but is set to be the primary antagonist.

Who is returning for 'Stranger Things' Season 5?

The following characters and actors are returning for Season 5:

  • Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder)
  • Jim Hopper (David Harbour)
  • Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown)
  • Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard)
  • Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo)
  • Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin)
  • Will Byers (Noah Schnapp)
  • Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink)
  • Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer)
  • Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton)
  • Steve Harrington (Joe Keery)
  • Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke)
  • Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower)
  • Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson)
  • Murray (Brett Gelman)
  • Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono)
  • Ted Wheeler (Joe Chest)
  • Vickie (Amybeth McNulty)
  • Lt. Colonel Jack Sullivan (Sherman Augustus)
  • Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher)

USA TODAY Entertainment Reporter Anthony Robledo caught up with the "Stranger Things" cast at the final red carpet premiere. Read about how Finn Wolfhard and Noah Schnapp are saying goodbye to the Netflix show.

Who's not coming back for 'Stranger Things 5'?

The following characters have not been confirmed to be in "Stranger Things" Season 5, despite their characters presumably being alive.

  • Argyle (Eduardo Franco)
  • Dimitri (Tom Wlaschiha)
  • Yuri (Nikola Djuricko)
  • Eight/Kali Prasad (Linnea Berthelsen)
  • Sam Owens (Paul Reiser)

Which characters died on 'Stranger Things'?

In case viewers forgot, the following characters have died in "Stranger Things" and are highly unlikely to return in Season 5.

  • Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn)
  • Dr. Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine)
  • Jason Carver (Mason Dye)
  • Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery)
  • Bob Newby (Sean Astin)
  • Barb Holland (Shannon Purser)

Who are the new characters in 'Stranger Things 5'

  • Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly)
  • Lt. Akers (Alex Breaux)
  • Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton)

What time does 'Stranger Things' come out?

Part one of "Stranger Things" Season 5 premieres on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

This release includes the first four episodes of Season 5. The next three episodes will release on Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, and the finale will release on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Stranger Things' Season 5 cast, who's returning and who's new?

Reporting by Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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