Stranger Things season 5's redacted title might be referencing a minor character in the Netflix show

Stranger Things season 4: Holly Wheeler
(Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix has released the first major teaser for Stranger Things season 5, revealing all of the episode titles for the final outing. 

However, one big mystery remains around them, as creators the Duffer brothers decided to redact half of one of the names. Luckily for us, the Stranger Things community works hard, meaning that fans think they've already solved exactly who it's referring to. 

The big theory is that it's Holly Wheeler, Mike Wheeler and Nancy Wheeler's younger sister. Writing on Reddit in reaction to the new teaser, several fans replied to the post suggesting that the redacted name in question is Karen and Ted Wheeler's daughter. Intriguingly, this theory has actually been circulating for a while after the titles leaked in mid-2024. 

Reddit user Kauan1983 shared the insight earlier this year when he pointed out that the character had seemingly been recast ahead of season 5. It's speculated that she'll now be played by Evil Dead: Rise star Nell Fisher after some on-set pictures seemingly saw her in Holly's costume. 

Writing on the social media platform, the user speculated: "The vanishing of a member of the Wheeler Family, and their role being important enough to be referenced in an episode title also match the fact that they've been filming a surprising amount of scenes at the Wheelers' house, implying that they are indeed having a bigger role this season."

It's certainly an intriguing theory, and one that several fans have taken on board as truth. But, we'd suggest a bit of caution as the Netflix show is known for keeping secrets up its sleeve so not all may be what it seems.

In the meantime, check out our guides to the best Netflix shows and the best Netflix movies to watch right now.

Fay Watson
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

Read more
Eleven in Stranger Things season 4, episode 9
Mysterious new Stranger Things poster suggests something sinister may have happened to Eleven in season 5
Mike, Eleven and Will in Stranger Things season 4 (2022)
Stranger Things season 5: Everything we know so far about the Netflix show's final chapter
Stranger Things season 5 set photo
Stranger Things creators Duffer Brothers reveal they filmed over 650 hours of footage for the final season of the Netflix hit, as behind-the-scenes teaser is shown behind closed doors
A group of kids gathered around a table during the Netflix show Stranger Things.
Stranger Things star recalls reading the final episode with his cast mates for the very first time: "[It] was much more emotional than I thought it was going to be"
Eleven in Stranger Things season 4, episode 9
Stranger Things season 5 is so top secret, even Eleven star Millie Bobby Brown won't see the full episodes before their release
Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 finale
Stranger Things season 5 was a "Lord of the Rings-style" epic to film according to star: "I feel like it couldn’t have ended better"
Latest in Sci-Fi Shows
Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last Of Us season 2
Abby star Kaitlyn Dever played the Last of Us games with her dad and has been a fan "for a very long time"
Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us
The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin praises Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal for "spectacular" take on one of Part 2's most iconic scenes in season 2
Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us
Pedro Pascal opens up about his "unhealthy mindset" going into The Last of Us season 2: "I kind of feel their pain"
Ben Mendelsohn in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 could be about to turn one of the darkest events in Star Wars even darker
The Death Star in the Andor season 2 trailer
New Andor season 2 trailer is an intense new look at the returning Star Wars show that sees the Rebels discover the Death Star
Severance
Severance star reveals the one finale moment that you may not have realized is "essential" for what comes next in season 3
Latest in News
Lunar Remastered Collection
"Will today’s players still enjoy a game from 30 years ago?": JRPG icon Kei Shigema says he was thrilled to see Lunar getting a remaster even after all this time
Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank in The Last of Us episode 3
The Last of Us season 2 showrunners tease a "gorgeous" episode akin to season 1’s Emmy-nominated Bill and Frank story: "Just you wait"
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
CD Projekt boss says "cutting-edge single-player games" – you know, like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 – will "continue to enjoy great popularity" despite industry shifts
Cyberpunk 2077
Despite releasing exactly zero new games, CD Projekt bagged $120 million in profit for 2024 – the Witcher and Cyberpunk studio's third-best result ever
Muse
Daredevil: Born Again midseason trailer teases Matt Murdock’s violent fight with Muse, including a gory scene straight from the comics
Batman looking over the city during Batman: Arkham City, one of the best PS3 games.
The PS2 Batman Begins game was considered such a "disaster" that Christopher Nolan turned down a Dark Knight-inspired game