'Stranger Things' star Gaten Matarazzo reveals why his character will be different in season 2

Jennifer Kline
·2 min read

The kids of "Stranger Things" are still very cute -- but according to star Gaten Matarazzo, they'll have a bit more wisdom in Season 2. In fact, he told AOL Entertainment, they've really grown up.

"They're all still trying to cope with everything that's been going on since the first season. It's obviously a very traumatic experience" coming face-to-face with the Upside Down, he said. "They've grown up a lot, not just in the sense that it's been a year, but in the sense that they almost got eaten by a monster from another dimension, so..."

The 14-year-old actor said that he and his fellow teen costars are "like siblings": "We're all very, very close ... I don't know what I'd do without them," Matarazzo said, adding that the cast keeps in touch outside of filming via group chat.

Outside of filming the hit Netflix series, Matarazzo has a hectic few months ahead: He teamed up with Holiday Inn as an ambassador for its "Summer of Smiles" program, during which hotels will host family-friendly events including breakfasts with beloved characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog. Meanwhile, Matarazzo's own widely-adored character, Dustin Henderson, has garnered him countless fans of all ages.

"I'm thankful for everything that's been going on in my life," Matarazzo said of his sudden stardom. Although he looks forward to hanging out with hometown friends in New Jersey this summer -- and is sometimes jealous that they have more free time -- he said, "I really can't complain because i've been having a great time doing what i'm doing."

"Stranger Things" is one of Netflix's biggest hits to date, released in July 2016, and its cliffhanger ending left fans frantically asking whether the show would return for a second season. Netflix officially renewed the show for a second season barely a month after its release -- a pretty impressive testament to its massive success.

Since then, the show's primarily teenage cast have become bonafide celebrities, regularly frequenting high-profile Hollywood events. They even took to the Emmys pre-show stage for a rendition of "Uptown Funk" in front of countless celebrity guests.

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