The Stranger Things ensemble is full of incredible actors, from Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven to Winona Ryder as Joyce Hopper. However, a pivotal role in the final season of the Netflix blockbuster was played by a non-actor. The reason behind this casting is deeply personal and heartwarming to the creators of the show, Matt and Ross Duffer.One of the key roles played by a non-actor was Miss Harris, a schoolteacher at Hawkins Elementary School, and this role is played by Hope Hynes Love.Keep reading to learn why the Duffer brothers cast her for a pivotal role in Stranger Things Season 5.The Duffer Brothers cast their high school drama teacher in Stranger Things Season 5 View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe Duffer brothers have poured their blood and sweat into Stranger Things for it to grow into the culturally defining show that it is, but there was somebody else who put their blood and sweat into the Duffer brothers to guide them and to give them the confidence that led to the Netflix phenomenon.This person was none other than their high school drama teacher, Hope Hynes Love. The Duffer brothers revealed in a heartwarming post on their Instagram that they cast their high school drama teacher on Stranger Things Season 5 as Miss Harris to pay their gratitude to her for the light that she brought into their lives when they were high school kids.Ross Duffer included a heartfelt message with the touching reveal:"Miss Harris is played by Hope Hynes Love. She was our high school drama teacher. High school was rough for me and my brother. But Hope saw something in us we didn’t see in ourselves — and she helped give us the confidence to not only survive those four years, but to move to LA and chase our dreams."He added:"Shoutout to all the teachers out there making a difference. And please… let’s prioritize the arts in schools."Hope Hynes Love's character, Miss Harris, is the school teacher in Hawkins Elementary School, and she is the first person outside of the Wheelers who notices Holly talking to her "imaginary friend," Mr. Whatsit. Miss Harris informs Karen Wheeler of the same.The Duffer brothers (Image via Getty)Miss Harris is next seen when the military decides to use all of the little kids as bait for Eleven or Vecna and quarantine them at the Military Access Control Zone (MAC-Z) and hire Miss Harris to monitor the kids and keep them calm. She also tries to protect the kids when there is commotion outside the quarantined zone by getting them to hide under their beds.This heartwarming little personal touch to Stranger Things Season 5 from the Duffer brothers is their way of expressing the importance of the arts in schools and the teachers who make a difference in the kids' lives.Stranger Things Season 5 returns for Volume 2 on December 25, 2025, with the final episode scheduled for December 31, 2025.Keep following Soap Central for more such interesting insights into your favorite shows!