"Stranger Things" Stars Advocate for LGBTQ+ Representation on TV

As of November 8th, 2025, "Stranger Things" stars Maya Hawke and Amybeth McNulty are speaking out about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation on television. This comes in the wake of a recent GLAAD study that found nearly half of all LGBTQ+ characters will disappear from TV next season.

Hawke, who plays the show's first openly gay character Robin Buckley, expressed her pride in the impact her role has had on LGBTQ+ fans. She shared that her proudest moments have been when people told her that watching the show with their families helped them communicate about their sexuality. Hawke also noted that having a leading LGBTQ+ character on a mainstream show like "Stranger Things" is significant, as it reaches a wider audience.

McNulty, who was introduced in Season 4 as Robin's love interest Vickie, echoed similar sentiments. As a queer person herself, she emphasized the importance of seeing LGBTQ+ characters "casually on TV where it's not a big deal." McNulty praised the Duffer Brothers, the creators of "Stranger Things," for their thoughtful approach to writing these storylines, even in the show's 1980s setting.

Both Hawke and McNulty are set to reprise their roles in the upcoming fifth and final season of "Stranger Things," which is expected to premiere later this month.