Terminator star Linda Hamilton joined the cast of the fifth season of Stranger Things for a major role, and fans have been excited about what's in store for her character in the show's final chapter.
The iconic actress's involvement in the upcoming season follows the footsteps of the previous seasons, where the series would usually cast a veteran actor who made their breakthrough in the 1980s to play a significant role in the series, whether it's Matthew Modine, Sean Astin, or Paul Reiser.
So who is she playing in the series? Here's what we know about her role.
What is Linda Hamilton's Role in Stranger Things Season 5?
Hamilton will be playing the role of Dr. Kay, the new head scientist overseeing the military occupation in Hawkins, taking on Dr. Brenner’s work.
She is described as someone who is smart, intimidating, and the latest adversary for the group. Her work is her singular focus, and she ruthlessly pursues her goals.
Most importantly, when we meet her in the upcoming season, she is hunting down Eleven and doing whatever she can to find her alive.
"She’s a scientist, but if she needs to, she can get into a fight and shoot a gun," co-showrunner Matt Duffer explained the character's skills to Empire.
The role will be the complete opposite of Hamilton's most iconic character, Sarah Connor, since she is now playing the hunter this time around, instead of the one who is being hunted.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, The Duffer Brothers explained why they decided to cast Hamilton as the main villain of the season.
"We like to bring in the ’80s legends when we can, and obviously, we grew up huge fans of hers, Sarah Connor [in The Terminator] is a badass," they said.
What to Expect in the Final Season of Stranger Things
According to the logline for the final season of Stranger Things, set in the fall of 1987, "Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding."
"As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time."
The final season will be released across three phases: Volume 1 (four episodes) on November 26, Volume 2 (three episodes) on Christmas Day, December 25, and Volume 3 (the final episode) on New Year's Eve, December 31.
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