Stranger Things recently wrapped up its fourth season, and now fans are eagerly awaiting the fifth and final season, wondering what surprises it will bring. While the series has an established cast of beloved main characters sure to return, it’s killed off its fair share of fan favorites, devastating viewers who hoped to see these characters appear once again.
However, death isn’t the only ending an individual in Stranger Things can have, as there are plenty of characters who are still alive and technically able to return, but probably won’t for one reason or another.
Warning: This list contains spoilers for all four seasons of Stranger Things!
Yuri Ismaylov
While his fellow Russian Dmitri “Enzo” Antonov may lend a hand to his American comrade Hopper in fighting the latest Upside Down threat, Yuri Ismaylov probably won’t be as gracious. Yuri did have one of the better character arcs of season 4, leaving his cowardice behind and reigniting his past heroic spirit in order to fly Hopper and company back to America.
However, actively taking part in the final battle with Vecna is perhaps a step too far for the smuggler. Yuri isn’t much of a fighter in his current state, even getting knocked out by Murray, and it’s doubtful he’d be much help were he to join the battle in Hawkins.
Lonnie Byers
The deadbeat dad of Will and Johnathan, as well as Joyce’s ex-husband, Lonnie Byers hasn’t appeared since the show’s first season. He was constantly shown to be a revolting and selfish man in every one of his appearances, even trying to profit off of Will’s supposed death.
Lonnie never reappeared since then, meaning he wasn’t even present for Will’s return or any of the horrific events that have happened to the Byers family since then. There’s really no reason for that to change in season 5, as any attempt at a redemption arc for him may just be overcrowding an already potentially massive final season.
Andy
Andy is one of Jason Carver’s friends and becomes part of his posse that is trying to hunt down Eddie Munson for Chrissy Cunningham’s death. Jason’s complete misunderstanding of the true nature of Chrissy’s death, as well the violent actions he takes because of it, made him season 4’s least intelligent new character.
This trait applied to his lackeys as well, which meant fans weren’t upset at all to see Erica knock Andy out with her flashlight in the season finale. With both Eddie and Jason dead, Andy really doesn’t have any reason to meddle in the main cast’s business anymore.
Keith
Formerly an employee of The Palace Arcade during season 2, Keith now works at Family Video. In the season 3 finale, he interviews Steve and Robin when they apply for a job there, at first only hiring Robin before being convinced that Steve will be able to attract women into the shop.
Related: 10 Stranger Things Characters Who Need A Bigger Role In Season 5
Despite the Family Video store featuring in season 4, Keith is nowhere to be found. With Steve and Robin surely out of another job due to abandoning their post and spending all of their time attempting to clear Eddie Munson’s name, it’s unlikely Keith will pop up wherever the pair find work next.
Angela
Despite only appearing in a few episodes of a season that was loaded with ruthless and brutal villains, Eleven and Will’s classmate Angela still managed to become one of the show’s most hated characters.
Eleven trying to adapt to life without her powers was difficult enough without Angela’s bullying, but her classmate’s incessant meanness brought her to an explosive breaking point in one of season 4’s best storylines. With Eleven and her family all out of California and back in Hawkins to finally put an end to Vecna, it’s doubtful the two girls will ever cross paths again.
Kali Prasad
Despite appearing in a few of the Stranger Things books, Kali Prasad, or Eight, hasn’t appeared in the actual show since its second season. A fellow Hawkins Lab subject to Eleven, she escaped and now uses her unique powers of illusion to take revenge on those who have wronged her.
Kali played a massive role in season 2, even having an entire episode dedicated to her reunion with Eleven. Unfortunately, that episode would go down as one of the most universally-hated episodes of the entire series. It’s unlikely the Duffer Brothers would want to rehash any negative feelings the audience had for Kali’s plotline.
Larry Kline
The disgraced ex-mayor of Hawkins, Larry Kline, served as an antagonist in the show’s third season. He treasonously worked with the Soviets, even cooperating with their hunt for Jim Hopper and Joyce Byers. His numerous scandals involving the Starcourt Mall are brought to light after its destruction, leading to his arrest.
Larry doesn’t appear whatsoever in the show’s fourth season, and between how much is going on in Hawkins and how little any of the main characters actually liked him, it’s probably safe to say he won’t be receiving any visits in jail during season 5.
Agent Wallace
While his partner, Agent Harmon, better known as “Unknown Hero Agent Man” escaped with the Byers children and succumbed to his wounds on the road, Agent Wallace was not so lucky. He was taken alive by Lt. Sullivan and his men, being horrifically tortured under Sullivan’s orders in the hopes he would reveal Eleven’s location.
While he admirably resisted the torture for as long as he could, he eventually gave up the information on the condition Sullivan would not kill Eleven. There’s no confirmation whether Wallace was killed after, but even if he is alive, his mission is complete (albeit unsuccessfully) and it’s hard to imagine a reason for him to return.
Eden Bingham
While Eden’s little sister Suzie may make an appearance and finally share a scene with her Dusty Bun, it doesn’t seem as likely for the eldest Bingham sister to return.
Stranger Things 5 is gearing up to be the darkest season yet with an ultimate final battle looming, and it doesn’t seem likely for the chaotic ridiculousness of the Bingham house to be shoehorned in, especially with the family living in Utah. Even if she doesn’t appear again, Eden certainly made herself a memorable character, flirting with new fan favorite Argyle and rocking one of season 4’s best outfits.
Troy Walsh
Troy, along with his best friend James, only appears in the first season of Stranger Things. He and James are probably best remembered for mercilessly bullying Mike, Dustin, and Lucas all throughout the season. Their bullying even almost turns deadly, Troy holding a switchblade to Dustin’s teeth and forcing Mike to jump off of the quarry.
Mike would have died if it wasn’t for Eleven, who promptly snaps Troy’s arm for his deed. An official graphic novel, The Bully, reveals Troy’s family has moved away from Hawkins, making Troy’s return seem like an impossibility.
