'Stranger Things' underrated characters: From Joyce Byers to Erica Sinclair, the sharp minds who saved the day

Welcoming the ‘Stranger Things’ week, the world is turning upside down as the horror seeks to churn the guts. While Vecna is busy controlling the minds, the plot has been twisting like never before. The Hawkins gang has always kept their cycles ready (some even kept baseball bats with them), but over the series, there have been instances where the underrated characters left their imprints or saved the day. Oftentimes, the incidents even hinted at the potential development. Let’s take a look at the underrated characters of the ‘Stranger Things’ universe.

Nancy Wheeler

Nancy Wheeler, played by Natalia Dyer, wanted to live the life of a teenager – who existentially had problems surrounding boys. Turning the page, she encounters an awful incident of watching her best friend disappear. After she starts an investigation away from the people of Indiana, she aspires to become a journalist who strives to find answers for the supernatural events. While she suppressed her voice initially, in the later episodes, Nancy took the lead in the dangerous situations. From being Mike Wheeler’s sister and Steve Harrington’s ex-girlfriend, she became NANCY WHEELER.

Joyce Byers

Joyce Byers, played by Winona Ryder, has impeccable brains and can easily stun people with her flair. While being incredibly resilient and hopeful for her son, she has managed to decode the messages that experts could not. Byers would keep her life in danger, if it's for the people she loves and has even a glimmer of hope that they could be saved. Being an underrated character, Joyce Byers took Eleven under her care without a second thought and has been the backbone of the series.

Robin Buckley

Robin Buckley, played by Maya Hawke, was introduced quite later in the series – but she surely left a mark. Being the powerhouse of sarcasm, Buckley knows how to put her wit and intellect to use. From decrypting hidden messages to opening up about her innermost thoughts, she stood by the problems and helped them along the way. Other than that, if one is willing to get roasted in an ice cream shop, she knows the way.

Erica Sinclair

Best believe Erica Sinclair, played by Priah Ferguson, would knock the boots down, judge the awful personality, comment about the mud on your shoes when you try to question her judgment, and casually save the day. From sneaking into dangerous places to joining the club by insulting the leader, Erica Sinclair has been one of the most underrated yet significant characters in the series. Being the younger sister of Lucas, she often gets judged for her height and the perceived as stupid in the initial stages – until she speaks.

Bob Newby

Bob Newby, played by Sean Astin, passed away in an unfortunate incident while trying to save the city. Being the calm and intellectual boyfriend of Joyce Byers, he often gave a rational view and a shoulder to lean on during the whole fiasco. He proved to be a turning point in the series (not because Joyce and Hopper got together), after he used his computer skills. Sacrificing his life, he soon became a martyr from a regular guy.

About 'Stranger Things'

The final season of 'Stranger Things' will be released on November 26, 2025, with the first half. Continung the hype, the second part will be airing on December 25, 2025, with the final episode's release on New Year's Eve.