Cara Buono from Stranger Things Shares Whether Fans Will Be Happy with the Series Finale

Stranger Things has heightened the tension as it embarks on its fifth and final season — but will the viewers feel content with the series conclusion?

In an exclusive discussion with Us Weekly, Cara Buono shared her thoughts on the series finale — beginning with her character, Karen, and her on-screen spouse, Ted (Joe Chrest).

“Like any long-term relationship, there remains a lot unsaid between two individuals. I believe the show concludes in the best way for everyone,” Buono hinted. “With every exceptional series, it’s impossible to please everyone. However, I do believe the audience will be quite satisfied.”

Buono commended creators Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer for crafting a finale that felt “amazing” for the entire cast. For her, filming the concluding scenes represented a full-circle experience.

“I recall our read-through before starting [on season 5] when we were all gathered as a cast. That was a memorable moment. We set out on what was going to be a full year, which is really rare — especially in television. We thought, ‘That’s going to be a long time.’ But it felt like it flew by,” she reflected. “And on my last day of filming, it was the very final day of shooting.”

Buono described the “very touching” final day. “Everyone was there, including families, and I was in the second-to-last setup for the very conclusion of the show,” she shared with Us. “It was truly a stunning moment. In season 1, I was present for the very first day, first scene, and first take. For me, it felt complete at the end. I simply had to get through it without crying and deliver my lines.”

Stranger Things, which premiered in 2016, centers around a fictional town where supernatural phenomena lead to intrigue and chaos. After being kept in the dark about the events in Hawkins for the first four seasons, Buono was delighted that Karen’s fate improved in the latest episodes.

“I just wanted Karen to rise from the couch and join the fight. And they made that happen,” she remarked about the part 1 scene where Karen confronted a Demogorgon. “The Duffers approached the scene like filmmakers, which I appreciated. There was a gravity to it, even though it was also a lot of fun. The emotion always propels the action. So instead of just a fight, the storytelling depicts what Karen is unleashing in this moment and how she fights to protect her child.”

The first part of season 5 concluded with Karen in the hospital. Buono confirmed that her character is “alive” and hopefully will rejoin the action before the series wraps up. Season 5 also ties back to Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel play that explores Hawkins during the 1960s when Karen was a teenager.

“There’s a wealth of lore. Multiple paths the show can traverse — from its past events to future possibilities. What we witness in the play offers delightful insights into Karen, Joyce, and many other characters. It’s always enjoyable to see what has shaped them over time,” she elaborated. “I would be fascinated to see Karen’s journey as the ’90s unfold and where she moves after fighting a Demogorgon. To me, that’s an intriguing narrative.”

Buono concluded: “Especially if she departs Hawkins once Holly is in college, perhaps she’ll pursue some unfulfilled aspirations and maybe even move to New York.”

Stranger Things is set to return on Netflix with Volume 2 on December 25, and the series finale will be available on December 31.