Stranger Things star Randy Havens has addressed rumours of an extended season 5 cut after fans have been asking Netflix to release the supposedly deleted scenes.
Havens, who plays the show’s science teacher Mr Clarke, assured us that no curiosity door is being kept locked this time.
In a since-timed out Instagram Story, Havens confirmed that fans will be treated to the full story as the Duffer Brothers envisioned it.
“There’s no secret Snyder cut of the show,” the actor wrote, referring to Zack Snyder’s four-hour-long version of 2017’s Justice League, later released in 2021.
“Please don’t believe everything some random ass tells you on the internet.”
Courtesy of Netflix
Together with Karen Wheeler — Nancy, Mike and Holly’s mum who just casually attacked a Demogorgon with a wine bottle in volume 1 — Mr Clarke has taken on a more active role this season.
Not only was the teacher pivotal in locating Dustin in the Upside Down, finally being made aware of the supernatural activity in Hawkins, he was also at the centre of a foreshadowing scene about wormholes with Erica.
Netflix
The second half of the season contains some huge revelations about the Upside Down and Henry Creel/Vecna/One’s origin story, as well as a few heartwarming moments for the Hawkins gang.
However, the hectic pace the show takes in volume 2 had some fans thinking more than just a few scenes had ended up on the cutting room floor.
Ahead of the final-ever episode, for which Netflix has just dropped a brand new trailer, Stranger Things fans have been petitioning to be let in on the so-called Duffers’ cut, with more than 350,000 signatures at the time of writing supporting the show’s “bad writing” criticisms.
“WE WANT ANSWERS!! It’s important because we waited so long for this season,” petition creator Wennii J wrote.
“I believe the fans should have a say in how the series should go. This is why so many of us are disappointed because it didn’t live up to the expectations that was held upon.”
The petition concluded: “We want stranger things to have a legacy not be seen as some show that couldn’t pull [through] due to [its] bad writing.”
Stranger Things released the first three episodes of Volume 2 on Christmas Day, while the epic series finale is landing on the streamer on New Year’s Eve — or in the early hours of New Year’s Day if you’re this side of the pond.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).