The Duffer Brothers did not expect these two Stranger Things characters to become fan favourites at all

The creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, admit that they did not always know which characters fans would love. Two of the biggest surprises came with Barb and Dr Alexei. These characters had small roles, but they became very popular with viewers anyway.

Initially, Barb was a character with little impact on Season 1, but her significance grew over time as she became a friend of Nancy Wheeler; she started out being seen as shy, reserved, nerdy, and quiet. After the release of Season 1, Barb was very unlikely to be one of the characters that would catch the viewers' eyes. The response to Barb from the general viewer audience was massive, due to the fact that immediately following the close of Season 1, fans had already begun creating fan art, memes, and social media posts proclaiming #JusticeForBarb, leading to a huge amount of responses to Barb's character. When asked about this reaction to Barb, the Duffer Brothers were surprised by the response of the audience to Barb's character.

Although other characters may have been featured in a greater variety of roles, Dr Alexei has gained a large fan base, despite only appearing in a short time frame during Season 3. Initially, he was going to be a minor character helping the Russians, but as the viewers began to like him so much that the writers were blown away by the numbers.

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Why did Barb become a phenomenon in Stranger Things?

Barb was never meant to be a leading character in Stranger Things. According to the Duffers, the initial focus was on Will Byers' disappearance, Eleven's powers, and the central drama. Barb was there mostly to support Nancy.

Despite that, many viewers connected with her. Barb felt real to people as she did not have the perfect look or the heroic traits of other characters. Instead, she felt like "someone you might really go to school with." That everyday feeling struck a chord for many.

When Barb died in Stranger Things, fans felt angry. Her death seemed unfair. People organised online campaigns, created fan art and shared stories about why Barb deserved more. The impact of this emotional connection was significant; the creative team didn't expect the audience reaction towards Barb. In Ross Duffer's own words, Barb resonated with so many people who have, like Ross and Matt, at some time or another, missed out on or been passed over by their peers in school.

Even though Stranger Things included an episode showing Barb's funeral and acknowledged her absence in the overall storyline, the fan base continued to ask for more! The Duffer Brothers have acknowledged that they didn't realise how much Barb would mean to such a large group of people.

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Dr Alexei: Another unexpected star in Stranger Things

In Stranger Things season 3, the show introduced a new character named Dr Alexei. He was a Russian scientist involved in a storyline about opening a portal to the Upside Down. He was not a hero in the beginning; his role was small, and it did not carry the main plot.

Yet Alexei won over many fans. Viewers loved him for his warm personality, his gentle nature, and for moments where he showed curiosity. He stood out because he was different. He did not look like a classic hero; instead, he felt real. Many fans felt sad when his character died before the end of the season.

Matt Duffer admitted that Alexei's popularity was a big surprise. The brothers said they never expected people to respond so strongly to him. This reaction, though unplanned, became "a more fun part" of making the show.

This pattern, small character, short appearance, big fan love, shows that sometimes character strength comes not from screen time but from how much people can relate to them. Viewers connected with Alexei's innocence, hope, and quiet goodness. That connection was more powerful than many planned story arcs.

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What do the Duffers say about the fan reactions?

The Duffers have said many times that they can plan a story, but they can't plan how fans will react. The reactions to Barb and Alexei taught them this. In interviews, Matt Duffer said they often guess which will be the big moments. But sometimes they are wrong. And when fans surprise them by loving a small character, that becomes one of the best parts of making the show.

With Stranger Things season 5 on the horizon, the show is adding new faces. Some are big names, others are fresh actors. The Duffers have said they are curious to see who viewers will cling to. Maybe there will be new surprises, and maybe new breakout favourites will rise. The creators seem ready for more unplanned connections.

The cases of Barb and Alexei show that fans have power too. They can lift even the smallest character into something special. Sometimes the heart of a story lies not in the main cast, but in characters who reflect real feelings. The Duffers did not expect that, but they welcomed it.

As Stranger Things moves toward its end, new fans will discover the show. And some new names may come to mean as much to viewers as Barb and Alexei do. The Duffer Brothers say they look forward to that. The surprises, after all, are part of what makes the show live on.