Let’s be honest — when Netflix announced an animated Stranger Things spin-off, the first question on everyone’s mind was: “But who’s going to replace Millie Bobby Brown and the gang?” That’s a huge ask. These characters are iconic. The good news? The answer turns out to be a seriously impressive lineup of fresh and familiar talent.
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is set in the winter of 1985, slotting neatly between Seasons 2 and 3, bringing back the core Party alongside exciting new characters. Since the original live-action cast has naturally aged past their 1985 counterparts, a brand-new ensemble of voice actors steps in. Here’s every confirmed name, all in one place.
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85- Complete Voice Cast at a Glance
| Character | Voice Actor | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Eleven | Brooklyn Davey Norstedt | Major debut role |
| Max Mayfield | Jolie Hoang-Rappaport | Just Add Magic, Watchmen |
| Mike Wheeler | Luca Diaz | Transformers: EarthSpark |
| Lucas Sinclair | Elisha “EJ” Williams | The Wonder Years (2021) |
| Dustin Henderson | Braxton Quinney | Rising voice talent |
| Will Byers | Ben Plessala | Big Little Lies, Shameless |
| Jim Hopper | Brett Gipson | NCIS, S.W.A.T. |
| Steve Harrington | Jeremy Jordan | Hazbin Hotel, Newsies |
| Nikki Baxter (new) | Odessa A’zion | Hellraiser (2022), Grand Army |
| Anna Baxter (new) | Janeane Garofalo | Ratatouille, Reality Bites |
| Daniel Fischer (new) | Lou Diamond Phillips | La Bamba, Prodigal Son |
| Cosmo (new) | Robert Englund | A Nightmare on Elm Street |
| Nancy Wheeler | Alessandra Antonelli | Stage & voice actor |
| Karen Wheeler | Alysia Reiner | Orange is the New Black |
| Rosario (new) | Valeria Rodriguez | Overwatch 2 (Venture), Genshin Impact |
| Jeff (new) | Jack Griffo | The Thundermans |
The Standout Casting Choices
The most buzz-worthy addition is undoubtedly Robert Englund returning to the Stranger Things universe. Englund, the horror legend forever synonymous with Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, previously terrified audiences as Victor Creel in Season 4 and now voices a mysterious new character named Cosmo — with details being kept tightly under wraps. Knowing Englund, expect something wonderfully sinister.
Broadway star Jeremy Jordan, famous for Newsies, The Great Gatsby on stage, and voicing Lucifer in Hazbin Hotel, takes over as Steve Harrington from Joe Keery — and honestly, the casting feels inspired.
New character Nikki Baxter, a punk-loving teen described as a tinkerer who draws strong Arcane comparisons, is voiced by Hellraiser reboot star Odessa A’zion whats-on-netflix — one of the most exciting young actresses working today.
Why a New Cast Makes Sense
Voice-acting in animation is a distinct craft, and the producers wisely leaned into that by choosing performers with strong vocal range rather than simply finding lookalikes. Voice acting requires a completely different skill set from on-screen performance, and this ensemble — blending Broadway talent, seasoned voice artists, and TV veterans — looks built for exactly that challenge.
For more on what to expect from the series itself, check out our full Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 trailer and release date coverage on Technosports, and stay updated on all the biggest Netflix shows dropping in 2026 with our OTT tracker.
