The Terminator actress Linda Hamilton was cast in an undisclosed role in the upcoming fifth season of Netflix’s popular show, Stranger Things. Hamilton was a long-time fan of the sci-fi horror drama and revealed that she watched all the series episodes until season 4. However, the Chuck actress will not be watching the finale season, since appearing on the show ruined the viewing experience for her.
Hamilton’s entry into the fictional world of Hawkins, Indiana was announced in June 2023. In a quick video intro at the Tudum fan event, Hamilton shared that she didn’t know how to be a fangirl and an actress simultaneously on the show.
Getting Cast In Stranger Things Ruined The Show For The Terminator Star
Linda Hamilton‘s casting in the Stranger Things finale season was announced at Netflix’s Tudum fan event by none other than her Terminator co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hamilton famously portrayed the role of Sarah Connor, the protagonist, in James Cameron‘s Terminator series. Hamilton has joined the production of the fifth season of the Netflix series, which began on January 8, 2024.
For Hamilton, joining the cast of the popular series ruined it for her. In an interview with Us Weekly, the Black Moon Rising actress revealed that she enjoyed watching every season as a fan of the series. However, when she joined the series, she initially felt like she didn’t belong in the whole world set in the ’80s that she had been watching. She revealed that the series would not be the same for her again.
She shared with the news outlet that she wouldn’t be watching the fifth season, as she usually refrains from watching her own projects. She explained that watching her projects would take her out of the reality of the projects. The Terminator: Dark Fate actress told Us Weekly:
“I’ve watched every season with relish. I just love it. So it’s kind of, like, imposter syndrome where I don’t [feel that I] fit in there. That’s a whole world set in the ’80s. When you really buy into something, you don’t see yourself in it. So I think in a way, it kind of ruined the show for me. I never watch [a project], once I’m in something. It would just completely take me out of the reality of it to see myself in there. So I won’t be watching [season 5].”
Linda Hamilton has prominently appeared in several television roles recently. She plays the recurring character, General Eleanor McCallister, in Syfy’s comedy series, Resident Alien. She also guest-starred in six episodes of the comedy-drama Claws during its final season.
Linda Hamilton Only Knows ‘The Shape Of The Character’ In Stranger Things
Ross and Matt Duffer created the global hit series in 2016 and the reception from the audience was phenomenal. Fans remain in high anticipation for the fifth and final season. Linda Hamilton’s new role in this season is largely kept under wraps. Even Hamilton herself has no idea about how the series ends. She revealed to Us Weekly that she was only provided with the shape of the character and not the story.
She revealed that she was really “thrilled to be a part of [the series]”, attend the table reads, and watch the script unfold. The Terminator 2: Judgment Day actress shared with Us Weekly:
“I Zoomed [creators] Ross and Matt Duffer, and they gave me the shape of the character, but not of the story. Because they have to be very careful with their story. So I still don’t know how it ends. And it takes a lot of discipline to not know where it’s going to go. But that’s to protect it from all of the people that want to know.”
The production was supposed to begin in 2023, however, the strikes delayed the start of production. There is little chance that season 5 of Stranger Things will come out earlier than 2025.
