Stranger Things star Joe Keery reveals he "tanked so many" auditions in his acting career before landing the Steve Harrington role

Before Joe Keery became famous as Steve Harrington, he went to tons of auditions.

One big one was for Fargo. He had to record the audition on Zoom in a hotel room, and did it about 15 or 16 times. Keery had to change his accent and try different versions to make the casting team happy.

In his recent Esquire interview, he says he still thinks about how stressful and crazy that felt.

Joe Keery about his acting career before Stranger Things

When asked if he had “ever tanked an audition”, Joe Keery told Esquire:

“I’ve tanked so many auditions. I think about it all the time. It was Fargo, I kind of like exited the audition. I was reading for the part, and we did it — like I was in a hotel room on a Zoom situation. Just doing all these scenes, and we did it once. Okay, you do it once. Great. Okay, let’s make some adjustments. Did it again. Okay, let’s just change it this way, and let’s do this.”

Keery added:

“And I also had to kind of be doing this like accent that I was sort of like, you know, you're winging it. You're kind of tossing it together. I think we did the tape like 15 or 16 times. It was like a lot. You know, up to a certain point, you're like, okay, this is cool. Like, we're working on it. And then you're like, you want to be able to do what the person is asking you to do. But I guess I booked the job, so, you know. I guess I did something right.”

Keery further told Esquire that he got the Stranger Things role mostly because he was in the right place at the right time. He understood the kind of character Steve Harrington was, so the Duffers felt he “got it.”

At first, Steve wasn’t even a main character. He was just one part of a big group. But the Duffers kept bringing him back and giving him better scenes. He said he loved being on set, loved working with the Duffers and the cast, and just wanted to help however he could.

Joe Keery’s role in Stranger Things

Steve starts as a popular but rude high-school kid in Stranger Things. He dates Nancy, but their relationship has problems. Steve realizes he was wrong and apologizes to Jonathan Byers. He then helps Nancy and Jonathan fight the Demogorgon with a spiked bat. This moment starts his change from a bully to a hero.

In Stranger Things Season 2, Steve and Nancy break up. He starts to grow up and becomes more responsible. He becomes close friends with Dustin and helps him with the monster “Dart.” Steve stops acting like a selfish jock and becomes a caring, protective person.

In Season 3, Steve works at Scoops Ahoy with Robin. He shows he is more grown-up now. Steve gets caught by Russians in a secret lab under the mall. Even though it’s scary, he stays brave and loyal. He protects Robin and the kids the best he can.

By Season 4, Steve is one of the most important characters. Fans and critics deem his story one of the best. He is brave, loyal, and kind, like a big brother to the younger kids. Steve also understands himself better now. He learns his old attitude came from feeling insecure. He changes from a “typical ’80s cool kid” into someone caring, smart, and courageous.

In an interview with Extra TV, Joe Keery said that Steve’s story in Season 5 will be “bittersweet.” He also said that he is “very happy” with how Steve’s story ends. He also thinks fans will like it. This means Steve might live, but something sad or emotional may still happen to him.

Netflix’s Tudum says Steve and Dustin’s friendship is very important in Stranger Things Season 5. They will have some “messy action scenes” together. This probably means they go on a dangerous mission. It also shows Steve acting like a protector or big brother, just like he has in past seasons.

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Some fans think Steve might be in serious danger in Season 5 based on what they saw in the trailer. Some people even think he might sacrifice himself to save others. But Joe Keery has calmed fans down. He told ExtraTV that his story “wrapped up” in a good way and that fans will “like it.” This makes many people believe Steve will be safe and will not have a sad ending. So far, most signs point to Steve surviving or at least not having a tragic fate.

Some fans think Steve might do something very brave in Stranger Things' final season. They think he might risk his life to save his friends, especially Dustin. If this happens, it would show how much Steve has grown. He would go from a mean high-school kid to a real hero who cares about others.

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