Stranger Things Season 5 New Face 'Derek': Jake Connelly Profile Summary

Stranger Things Season 5 New Face 'Derek': Jake Connelly Profile Summary

"Who is the new, young actor set to play a pivotal role in the final season of Stranger Things?"

As the final season of *Stranger Things* gears up, the introduction of new characters is always a major talking point. One such character is Derek Turnbow, played by newcomer Jake Connelly. Derek is set to be more than just a background figure, with a complex character arc that moves him from a playground bully to a key figure in the fight against Vecna.

Here is a complete profile summary of the young actor and the role he is set to play.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Jake Connelly: The Actor's Profile
  • 2. Derek Turnbow's Pivotal Role in Season 5
  • 3. Character Arc: From Bully to Hero
  • 4. Summary of Key Facts

1. Jake Connelly: The Actor's Profile

Jake Connelly, who was cast in July 2024, is the 13-year-old actor bringing the character of Derek Turnbow to life. His role in *Stranger Things* marks a significant career breakthrough, as his prior work primarily included a short film titled "Between the Silence."

  • Age: 13 years old (as of casting in 2024).
  • Career Breakthrough: *Stranger Things* Season 5 is his first major television role.
  • Excitement: Connelly has publicly expressed his excitement and honor about joining the cast for the epic finale, sharing heartfelt feelings about the experience after filming wrapped.

2. Derek Turnbow's Pivotal Role in Season 5

Derek's character is set to expand the storyline to the younger generation in Hawkins, connecting directly to the main threat of the season.

  • Holly Wheeler's Classmate: Derek is introduced as a classmate of Holly Wheeler, Mike and Nancy's younger sister.
  • Outsider Description: Casting descriptions portrayed Derek as an 8-10-year-old boy who is slightly overweight, an outsider with no friends, and rude to both adults and peers.
  • Vecna's Target: Crucially, Derek is among the elementary school kids who become targets in Season 5, making him central to the storyline involving the Upside Down and Vecna.

For more in-depth analysis of the new characters and their potential impact on the final season, read our dedicated article on the new faces of the show.

👉 **Read More About the New Stranger Things Season 5 Characters**

3. Character Arc: From Bully to Hero

Derek's expected character arc is one of the most compelling aspects of his introduction. He begins as a playground bully to Holly Wheeler but is forced to change when the main characters realize he is Vecna’s next target.

  • Initial Conflict: Starts as a rude, bullying figure.
  • Pivotal Shift: Becomes a key part of the group when the threat of the Upside Down targets him directly.
  • Final Role: Expected to move from an antagonist to an unexpected hero throughout the season, highlighting the show's theme of unlikely friendships.

4. Summary of Key Facts

Actor:

Jake Connelly

Character:

Derek Turnbow

Casting Date:

July 2024

Prior Work:

Short film "Between the Silence" (Major TV debut)

Key Arc:

Bully to Vecna's target to unexpected hero.

🚀 Essential Stranger Things Links

👉 **Full Profile: New Characters in Stranger Things Season 5**

👉 **Season 5 Release Date and Episode Breakdown**

👉 **Related: The Duffer Brothers' Production Company News**

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