This week’s GLAAD study revealed that nearly half of recurring LGBTQ+ characters will disappear from television next season, prompting “Stranger Things” stars Maya Hawke and Amybeth McNulty to emphasize the significance of Maya Hawke LGBTQ representation on screen. At the red carpet premiere for “Stranger Things 5,” Hawke spoke openly about Hollywood’s pattern of killing off LGBTQ+ characters and the importance of her role as Robin Buckley.
Hawke reflected on her character’s place in the series, remarking,
“I’m so glad I’m not dead yet,”
highlighting how rare it is for queer characters to survive beyond minor story arcs. She explained that having Robin exist on a mainstream show that isn’t centered exclusively on being gay was especially meaningful to her.
The Role of Robin Buckley in Expanding Queer Visibility
Introduced in the third season, Robin Buckley made history as “Stranger Things’” first openly gay character. Hawke expressed pride in how the role has resonated with fans, particularly those who have used the show as a bridge to discuss sexuality with their families. She shared,
“My proudest moments at getting to play Robin have been people telling me that watching the show with their family helped them communicate with their family about their sexuality. It just makes me feel so proud.”
Maya also pointed out the broader impact of Robin existing within a popular show, stating,
“To have a leading role in a show that everybody goes to watch — your homophobic uncle Rick can’t avoid ‘Stranger Things’ the way he could avoid something else. I’m so proud of that.”
Her comments underline how representation beyond niche queer dramas can normalize LGBTQ+ identities in everyday viewing.
Amybeth McNulty’s Perspective on Queer Characters in “Stranger Things”
Amybeth McNulty, introduced in Season 4 as Robin’s love interest Vickie, echoed similar feelings at the same premiere. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself, McNulty stressed the importance of seeing characters represented naturally on TV. She said,
“I think as a queer human, you grow up and you want to see yourself identified in TV. And you want to see characters casually on TV where it’s not a big deal and it is what it is.”
She also praised the show’s creators for their thoughtful handling of queer storylines, noting,
“I know it’s the ’80s, and I know it’s a tough conversation to have in and of itself, but I also really enjoy [The Duffer Brothers’] writing of it. And the development of it. And the beauty in which they write. And the openness to speak to queer people and ask them what they think and how it should be done. It’s everything to me as an actor and as a queer person generally.”
Anticipation Builds for the New Season of “Stranger Things”
Both Hawke and McNulty are set to reprise their roles in the upcoming fifth season of “Stranger Things,” which premiers on Netflix with two volumes. The first volume will be available on November 26 at 5 p.m. PT, followed by the second volume on Christmas Day at the same time. The series finale will air on New Year’s Eve at 5 p.m. PT.
With the sharp decline in recurring LGBTQ+ roles reported by GLAAD, the continuation of Robin and Vickie’s storylines in such a widely viewed show holds particular importance for LGBTQ+ representation on television. Their presence offers visibility in mainstream media during a time when many queer characters are being written out of the industry.
Following GLAAD’s recent report that 41% of recurring LGBTQ+ characters won’t return next TV season, Maya Hawke reflects on the impact of her “Stranger Things” role — saying it means a lot that Robin “gets to exist in a mainstream show” rather than one centered solely on being… pic.twitter.com/nB2kUUyxLZ
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) November 7, 2025
