Stranger Things season 5 is making a couple of changes and additions to the Hawkins team, and through one specific new team member, this season could lead into Stranger Things’ confirmed spinoff TV series. After four successful seasons with many twists, turns, and shocking moments, Stranger Things is ending with its fifth season, but that won’t be the end of this unique (and sometimes terrifying) world. Stranger Things will expand with two spinoff TV shows: one animated and the other a live-action one, but before that, season 5 has many things to solve and, possibly, set up as well.

Stranger Things season 4 ended on a chaotic cliffhanger as Vecna escaped, the Upside Down started to take over Hawkins, and Max was left in a coma. Season 5, then, has many questions to answer about Vecna and the Upside Down, as well as solve Max’s situation, and on top of that, it seems like there’s a potential tragedy on the way for the Wheeler family. The youngest Wheeler sibling, Holly (Nell Fisher), is taking a bigger role in Stranger Things season 5, which could lead directly into the live-action spinoff.

Holly’s Role In Stranger Things Season 5 Could Lead To A Future Spinoff

Holly Is Joining Her Brother In Stranger Things Season 5

Holly Wheeler is Nancy and Mike’s younger sister, and because of this, she has been left out of the action throughout Stranger Things. Holly has been seen mostly by her mother’s side, though she has witnessed some of the weird and dark things that have been happening in Hawkins. In season 1, Holly saw the Demogorgon trying to push through the walls at Will’s house, in season 3 she saw the trees in the distance moving as the Mind Flayer chased Eleven, and in season 4 she was excited to see “snow” in Hawkins, though it was actually the spores from the Upside Down.

Now, Holly Wheeler will be taking more space in Stranger Things season 5, as teased by different set photos. The first batch showed Holly talking to Vecna in his human form, which further supported the supposed episode titled “The Vanishing of [SPOILER] Wheeler”, and other set photos showed Holly riding her bike with Mike and Will. Whether or not she becomes Vecna’s next target, Holly is getting more screen time than before, and she might have an active role in season 5 next to Mike and the rest of the Hawkins crew.

While it certainly seems odd that Stranger Things would give more attention to Holly in its final season, this could be to lead to the live-action spinoff. It’s currently unknown what the Stranger Things live-action spinoff will be about, who will be in it, and when in the timeline it will be set, but Holly can be a good start. Through her, Stranger Things‘ live-action spinoff series could focus on a new group now in the 1990s, and by then, Holly will have some experience with the mysteries of Vecna and the Upside Down.

Why A Holly-Led Stranger Things Spinoff Could Actually Work

Holly Could Be A Surprisingly Good Main Character

As mentioned above, Holly hasn’t had enough screen time in Stranger Things nor an actual role in the series, but she could be a surprisingly good lead character. Holly is, after all, a Wheeler, and all of them (except for their father) have demonstrated leadership, passion, dedication, and a heart of gold, and just like Mike led his friend group, Holly could lead hers. Holly leading Stranger Things’ live-action spinoff would also help the show maintain a link to the main series, regardless of what the mysteries and threats in this series are.

As mentioned above, Holly as the lead of the Stranger Things live-action TV series would allow it to enter the next decade with a familiar character, and the dynamic between her and her friends would surely be different from that of her brother and company. Depending on her role in season 5, Holly could be the lead that the live-action spinoff needs, but it’s also a risky move.

The Problems With Stranger Things Continuing With Holly As The Lead Character

Holly As A Lead Character Is A Big Risk

The main problem with Holly leading Stranger Things’ live-action spinoff is that she’s not a well-known character, let alone a popular one. Stranger Things didn’t pay attention to Holly in four seasons because she was too young, so she spent most of her time with her mother. In season 5, Holly will be around 7-8 years old, making it easier to make her part of the story, but it took Stranger Things too long to get there. One season won’t be enough to properly develop the character of Holly Wheeler, so making her the lead character of a spinoff could backfire.

If not Holly, the best option would be Erica Sinclair, Lucas’ sister, who has had a bigger role than Holly and has helped Lucas and the rest in two seasons, so she knows well what’s going on in Hawkins. Bringing Holly into the spinoff series with Erica as the lead character would be a lot easier and would give the show better chances to succeed – but until then, it’s to be seen what direction the Stranger Things live-action spinoff will take.