Netflix; Orion/courtesy Everett
Warning: This article contains spoilers fromStranger Thingsseason 5, episodes 1-4.
Stranger Thingshas certainly proved that great VFXgoes a long way(and takes a long time), but there's still plenty of room for some on-camera magic.
In its fifth and final season, the sci-fi epic sees Max (Sadie Sink) forced to explore the mind of series villain Vecna, walking through the memories of the boy he once was, Henry Creel. Along the way, eagle-eyed viewers no doubt noticed that one scene included quite a few familiar names — and oneveryfamiliar face.
While exploring Hawkins High in the year 1959, Max crosses paths with none other than Joyce Maldonado (not yet Byers). It's a brief moment, and at a glance, fans would be forgiven for assuming that the woman we see is a de-agedWinona Ryder, handing out flyers in a high school hall.
But actually, it's model and actress Birdy, who just so happens to be the spitting image of the iconicReality Bitesstar.
Sharing a behind-the-scenes image of the show onInstagram, the actress cleared up any confusion, writing, "Not AI winona :)."
In a subsequent post, Birdy — who also appeared on an episode ofChicago Fireearlier this year — shareda carousel of imagesfrom the Netflix show's set, writing, "So incredibly grateful to be a part of S5."
In the comments section, fans were shocked — and deeply impressed by the physical similarities between the two performers.
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"I genuinely thought they de-aged Winona somehow," one Instagram user wrote. "You were great - hope we get to see you more!"
Another added, "Bruhhh you two are identical I literally thought it was AI." One commenter joked, "DNA test. Now."
Indeed, Birdy looks impressively like Ryder from her breakout era of the '80s in films likeBeetlejuice, Heathers,andEdward Scissorhands. The brief scene, from the fourth episode "Sorcerer," sees Joyce handing out flyers for her upcoming school theater production ofOklahoma. The actress notably features some very familiar names: it stars a young Jim Hopper, Mike's parents, Karen and Ted, Eddie's dad Alan Munson, Bob's sister Patty Newby, and Vecna himself — Henry Creel.
The events surrounding Joyce's theater group are further explored in the spinoff stage play,Stranger Things: The First Shadow. But the Duffer Brothers previously made it clear that no one from the West End of Broadway productions would be reprising their part for the TV series.
"We're very careful with the play," Matt Dufferpreviously toldEntertainment Weekly."Knowing how few people in the scheme of things are gonna be able to see that, to make sure that season 5 functions entirely on its own."
Ross added, "But there are Easter eggs involving the play. So if you've seen it, it's a fun watch, especially as we go to Volume 2."
Courtesy of Netflix
Along with all the names that appear on the flyer Joyce is handing around, she also calls out to a kid named "Harrington" in the hallway. Meaning that perhaps we'll get a glimpse at Steve's father, the original jerk jock.
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As of yet, it's unclear how much more of Henry's past — and Joyce's play — we'll get to see. But the Duffer Brothers have certainly hinted at some overlap between season 5 andThe First Shadow.
"A lot of the stuff that's covered in the Broadway show iscovered in the final season, as well," Matt teased. "Actually, we had to block the Broadway show producers a lot from putting in too much material that we were gonna have in season 5 because we did not want it to be too spoilery."
Episodes 5-7 ofStranger Thingsseason 5 will drop on Christmas Day on Netflix.
Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly