"the next step would be death" - The Duffer brothers weigh in on Steve Harrington's fate ahead in Stranger Things 5

Fans across the globe eagerly await the release of Stranger Things 5 Volume 2, which promises to unravel mysteries and developments in Eleven and her friends' journeys. The heroes of Hawkins left no stone unturned in their attempts to defeat Vecna in Volume 1. But the fight is far from ending now, as more challenges and dangers are approaching in the upcoming episodes.

Amidst all the characters whose fate remains unclear in the last season, viewers seemed to be deeply worried about Joe Keery's Steve Harrington. Steve's story arc across seasons showcased his growth into a strong character, making him a fan-favorite personality in the series.

With danger looming over all in the final installment, many are concerned about what's coming ahead for Steve. Creators Matt and Ross Duffer have added to fans' fears by sharing their take on the character's journey with CNN. They said:

"And we like to beat him (Steve) up every year. We usually give him a black eye or something. So I guess the next step would be death for Steve."

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers for Stranger Things 5 Volume 1. Reader's discretion is advised.

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The Duffer Brothers share their thoughts on what could happen to Steve ahead in Stranger Things 5

Joe Keery at the Stranger Things 5 UK Special Screening (Image via Getty)

From fighting Demogorgons to facing Vecna himself, Steve Harrington has undertaken the toughest of tasks so far in the franchise. His return in Stranger Things 5 puts him and other characters in danger, making viewers pray and hope for safety this season.

Taking note of the fans' sentiments regarding Steve's fate, Matt and Ross Duffer shared their thoughts in a recent interview with CNN. They mentioned:

"I don't know where the 'Steve is gonna die' fear came from. We've never said it."

They further added:

"I think it's because he's so beloved. Joe's (Keery) so charming."

The creators further shared the developments they have brought in Steve's journey so far, as mentioned in a statement before. They noted that with all the challenges, injuries, and twists Steve has faced so far, death may be the next step in his journey. While Steve's death is not confirmed by the creators through this statement, their words make things tense for the fans ahead of Volume 2's release.

The Duffer brothers also left viewers with a similar shocking hint during their recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Fallon asked the creators to arrange the Stranger Things Funko POP! figures in a manner to hint at their fate in the upcoming episodes. For Steve specifically, they placed him on the edge of the table, showing that his situation could be risky ahead.

While these statements and hints revealed by Matt and Ross Duffer add to worries about Steve's fate, viewers will get clarity with the release of volume 2 and the finale.

Also read: What time will Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 release on Netflix? Release timings for all regions

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What has happened to Steve Harrington so far in Stranger Things 5 Volume 1?

Stranger Things 5 has showcased the grave situation unfolding in Hawkins after the twisted events of season 4. While all the characters are prepared to kill Vecna and end the chaos permanently, Steve Harrington has also been contributing to this big mission.

He joins Robin in running a radio station, WSQK 94.5 FM, also known as the Squawk. Steve joins the rest to make preparations for the crawls to the Upside Down. As one of the crawls turns against their plan and Holly Wheeler gets abducted, he and the rest make elaborate plans to search for Holly. Towards the end, as he, Dustin, Nancy, and Jonathan chase a demogorgon to trace the youngest Wheeler, Steve drives them all into the Upside Down through a rift.

Amidst it all, viewers also get to see him show his feelings for Nancy, competing with Jonathan indirectly in the process. His altercations with Dustin also create tension in the first volume. How things will progress for Steve after these developments will be explored in the upcoming episodes.

Also read: Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 ending explained: Does Will have new powers?

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Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 will release on December 25, 2025, on Netflix.

Edited by Eeshna Dashottar