Netflix’s Stranger Things has become one of the most popular television shows of the last decade, and its young ensemble cast is one of the reasons why.
It starred in a diverse cast that included Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, and veterans like Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Matthew Modine.
Brett Gelman joined the cast of the popular Netflix science-fiction web series Stranger Things in 2017 for its second season, portraying the character Murray Bauman, a conspiracy theorist and former journalist (Credit: Netflix)
The cast has received praise from viewers and critics alike, and Brett Gelman, who joined the show during the second season, recently shared his admiration for his younger co-stars.
Gelman spoke to People about his experiences working with young actors like Brown, Sadie Sink, McLaughlin, Finn Wolfhard, Schnapp, and Matarazzo, all of whom have received increased attention thanks to the success of the show.
Brett Gelman and his girlfriend Ari Dayan attend Netflix’s “Stranger Things” season 4 premiere at Netflix Brooklyn on May 14, 2022, in Brooklyn, New York (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The 46-year-old American actor said, “I didn’t work with a lot of them directly, but I got to spend time with them a lot. I was fortunate enough to work with them a bit, especially last season, around the dinner table and stuff like that. I mean, they’re really impressive people who I learned from.”
He proceeded by praising the new generation of Hollywood actors, saying, “They just are true professionals and artists and really have taken their roles in the show and their roles outside of the show very seriously — not just as actors, but as people that the youth look up to.”
With his excellent performance as Murray Bauman, Brett Gelman was promoted to the main cast for the fourth season of Stranger Things (Credit: Netflix)
Gelman also had kind words for Noah Schnapp. The 18-year-old actor, who has played the role of Will Byers throughout the show’s run, recently revealed his sexual orientation.
He said, “I’m really proud of him. I’m very happy for him that he came out. I mean, that’s amazing, and that’s incredible for LGBTQ+ kids to see. That’s a huge gift to people being able to know that they should be who they are.”
Gelman joined the cast of Stranger Things during the second season as Murray Bauman, a private investigator with a fascination for Russian spies and a penchant for conspiracy theories. The actor, who made it through the brutal fourth season, will be back for the last installment of the show.
Brett Gelman worked with a language coach to perfect his Russian accent for the fourth season of Stranger Things, where his character was pivotal in helping save Hopper from a Russian prison (Credit: Netflix)
A versatile actor and comedian, Brett Gelman is also known for his role as the obnoxious, alcoholic, and abusive husband to Claire (Sian Clifford) in the British comedy-drama television series Fleabag.
During season 4 of Stranger Things, Murray Bauman plays a pivotal role in helping to save Hopper from a Russian prison, partnering up with Joyce in the process.
His character becomes quite the badass, with the actor working with a language coach, Elena Baranova, to perfect his Russian accent and training with taekwondo masters for months to prepare for the action scenes. He fights Upside Down creatures and even wields a flamethrower.
Gelman’s transformation into an action hero required him to get into shape, leading him to realize that he could play fun action roles in addition to antagonistic ones.
Brett Gelman in an outfit by Drew Curry, the founder of Dover Street Market-supported brand AIREI, at the Art Directors Guild Awards 2023 held at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on February 18, 2023, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
But Gelman isn’t the only adult cast member who has discussed collaborating with the youthful, gifted ensemble of Stranger Things.
Matthew Modine, who has played Dr. Martin Brenner, the show’s villain, for numerous seasons, told The Times last year that he has tried to prepare his younger castmates for the “rollercoaster” of an acting career by talking to them about his own experiences.
Netflix is preparing Stranger Things’ fifth and final season, which will air soon. Fans of the show can look forward to seeing the talented young cast one last time, and we can only hope that they will continue to inspire and amaze us in their future endeavors.