The fifth and final season of Stranger Things drops this week, with Finn Wolfhard starring as Mike Wheeler – but how much do you know about the actor?
The waiting is almost over: tomorrow (November 26) the fifth and final season of Stranger Things finally drops on Netflix. The Duffer Brothers have kept fans waiting for years to find out what the conclusion of the story will be – but now we finally get to go back to Hawkins for one last time.
Mike Wheeler has been a core character from the start, being the leader of the gang that includes Dustin, Lucas and Eleven. The character has grown up literally and figuratively on the show and is a firm fan favourite.
But how much do you know about Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike? Here are some facts you might not know about him.
He’s been in bands
Music is something that Finn has juggled alongside his acting for years. Initially, he was lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and songwriter in Calpurnia, a rock band based in his native Vancouver.
After Calpurnia split, Finn, along with Malcolm Craig, the drummer in Calpurnia, formed The Aubreys. The band had a song on the soundtrack to the 2020 supernatural horror film The Turning, which Finn also starred in. Over the next year or so, the band released several singles and an EP.
Finn has since continued to make music, and released a solo album, called Happy Birthday, in June this year.
He auditioned for Stranger Things while sick
Stranger Things provided Finn with his big break – he had appeared in other series, such as Supernatural, before – but it almost never happened. He decided to audition for the show after seeing an open casting call. But he had to do it via video as he was sick when the time came for the audition. Sick or not, he must have made the right impression on the casting crew.
He is a director
Directing has always been an interest for Finn, and he made his debut behind the camera aged just 17 with the 2020 comedy short Night Shifts.
In 2023, Finn co-directed his first feature film alongside long-time friend and collaborator Billy Bryk. The film, Hell of a Summer, was co-written, co-directed and co-starred the pair. At that year’s Toronto International Film Festival it was named second runner-up for the People’s Choice Award for Midnight Madness.
Frog fan
Finn is reputedly a lover of frogs. He was given the nickname ‘frog face’ by some fans of Stranger Things, and this is something he embraced.
Later, he sold a line of frog-related clothing, for which he donated the proceeds to victims of the Houston floods.
He’s a model
As well as acting, directing and making music, Finn has also found time to do some modelling work. For instance, he appeared in Yves Saint Laurent’s Fall/Winter 2019 season campaign, rocking a skinny black suit and sunglasses.
Finn has also featured in fashion magazines such as GQ and Esquire in recent years.
Advocacy work
Finn is also known for supporting a variety of charities and causes. This included in 2017 hosting the ‘Strange 80s’ benefit concert for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which provides medical care to musicians who are struggling medically and financially.
In terms of advocacy, he has advocated for indigenous children – his father is a lawyer who has represented indigenous people’s interests – as well as autism awareness and understanding.
