(Photo credit: Screen Rant)

When I checked in on the Stranger Things gang at Spooky Empire early this month, every finger was crossed–every lower lip bitten. Would their mandibles stretch like the demogorgon’s, spewing gory details on the show’s sophomore season? But mum was the word. A protection spell had been cast around those sacred pages of script, and we were left in the dark–until now. Thanks to MoviePilot.com and the Stranger Things Wiki, the lights are strung up and ready to go! You’re invited to the Hawkins block party for this exclusive Stranger Things: season two cast reveal–the town Barb-eque, if you will. (Too soon?) Come meet the new neighbors–and revisit those we’ve missed dearly!

The Newcomers

Linnea Berthelsen

(Photo credit: Twitter)

First up is Linnea Berthelsen. Fairly new to the game, the fresh-faced performer isn’t quite an A-lister just yet. (IMDB tells us she’s only graced the screen in two shorts, Natskygge and Teenland, and one web series, titled The Desert.) But surely, her status will skyrocket, through her breakout role as season two’s Roman! Though not a Hawkins resident, dispirited Roman is linked to the curious goings-on at the lab nonetheless. Now in her thirties, she has yet to reconcile the loss she suffered at a young age–and she yearns for vengeance to fill that gaping void.

Sean Astin

(Photo credit: New Line Cinema)

Looks like the Duffer Brothers nabbed an eighties icon! Astin will fit like a puzzle piece to the show’s nostalgic era–especially in that his resume boasts roles in at least two films referenced in season one: Lord of the Rings and The Goonies. Here, Astin arrives in the form of Bob Newby, an old classmate of Joyce Byers and Chief Hopper. He’s since grown into a good-natured RadioShack manager. Perhaps he specializes in the Christmas light department.

Paul Reiser

(Photo credit: Fox)

Paul Reiser is making the natural progression from Aliens to Stranger Things. His Aliens character, Carter Burke, was employed at Weyland-Yutani (Space) Corp’s Special Services Division. His Stranger Things character, Dr. Owens, follows suit in the governmental investigation field: he now serves as part of the “clean-up crew” for the Department of Energy, sweeping last year’s events under the rug.

Sadie Sink

(Photo credit: Dune Films)

A veteran of The Americans & The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Sadie Sink joins the gang as Max. Max is a thirteen-year-old misanthrope. Veering a bit toward the masculine side, she’d favor skateboards to teen magazines. (Were those a thing in the eighties?) In the sliver of time she’s existed, her history’s already tainted. Her ties to her step-brother, Billy, have also been rather strained.

Dacre Montgomery

(Photo credit: Instagram)

The above-mentioned (or below, if you’re reading from the Upside Down) Billy will be found in the likes of Dacre Montgomery. If you’re well-versed in Australian cinema, you may know Dacre from the outback thriller Safe Neighborhood. He’ll also serve to protect as the Red Ranger in the upcoming Power Rangers reboot! Billy, however, won’t be making Hawkins all too safe: he’s a violent male chauvinist.

Brett Gelmen

(Photo credit: Adult Swim)

Brett Gelmen of Adult Swim fame will be entering the kiddie pool to join Stranger Things–even if that means wading around in monster muck. Throw on some rubber boots, Brett, and prepare to plunge into the world of character Murray Bauman: a journalist who’s spiraled into the culture of conspiracy theory.
The Veterans

Now, when asked whether they should stay or go, the response was unanimous.
Welcome back the following alumni!

Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers

(Photo credit: Netflix)

David Harbour as Chief Jim Hopper

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Joe Keery as Steve Harrington

(Photo credit: Netflix)

And, of course, the boys are back in town!
Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Caleb McLaughlin as Luke Sinclair

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers

(Photo credit: Netflix)
Prepare your waffle irons, kids. It’s gonna be a hell of a ride!

(GIF credit: Vocativ)

So how do you think Barb should get revived in season two? Let us know in the comments below!