Jonathan Byers

Jonathan Byers, portrayed by Charlie Heaton, is a main character in Stranger Things. He is the oldest son of Joyce Byers, the older brother of Will Byers, the eventual boyfriend of Nancy Wheeler, and the best friend of Argyle.

In the spring of 1986, Jonathan resided in Lenora Hills, California, where he began to smoke weed alongside his new best friend, Argyle, due to stress about college. He and Nancy agreed to both attend Emerson College in Massachusetts despite his acceptance putting him in financial debt. Jonathan reveals to Argyle he got accepted to Lenora Hills Community College and is struggling to break the news to Nancy, saying he doesn't want her to follow him and ruin her life while also not wanting to go to Emerson to chase a dream that isn't his. When Eleven is taken to get her powers back to fight a new threat that's killing people in Hawkins, Jonathan hails a ride from Argyle and escapes a military raid of his home alongside Mike and Will. The quartet make a cross-country roadtrip to Utah and Nevada to locate El. While traveling, Jonathan takes notice of his brother Will struggling emotionally to show his feelings towards Mike. He eventually apologizes to his brother for being absent in his life and telling him he'll always be his supporter no matter what. After creating a sensory deprivation tank at a Surfer Boy Pizza in Nevada, El temporarily defeats Vecna, and the crew returns to Hawkins. Reuniting with Nancy, the two are happy yet seem in denial that their relationship doesn't have any problems, with Jonathan fibbing to Nancy that his acceptance letter has yet to arrive. After reuniting with his mother and Hopper, he witnesses along with his family the beginning of the Upside Down invading Hawkins.

Jonathan was born to Lonnie and Joyce Byers in Hawkins, Indiana, in 1967. Jonathan has mentioned that although "Joyce and Lonnie loved each other at some point, he wasn't around for it", meaning his parent's marriage was already a mess to begin with.

On March 22, 1971, Jonathan's younger brother, William "Will" Byers, was born. By 1973, six-year-old Jonathan desired to go NYU to study photography. Although Jonathan and Will were close to both each other and their mother, Lonnie was extremely unsupportive of both of his sons' interests.

On Jonathan's tenth birthday, around 1977, Lonnie made Jonathan go hunting with him, forcing his son to kill a rabbit and making him cry. By 1982, Lonnie abandoned his family and moved to Indianapolis. The day he left, Jonathan and Will spent the day building Castle Byers in the woods, using Will's drawing as a blueprint. The fort took time to built due to Will struggling to use the hammer, and despite it beginning to rain, the boys managed to finish the fort, and the two eventually got sick for a week afterward. One day, after Lonnie skipped out taking Will to a baseball game, Jonathan played a mixtape he made for him, including the Clash single, "Should I Stay or Should I Go", a song Will loved. Hearing their mother arguing on the phone with Lonnie, Jonathan shuts the door. When Will asks if Lonnie is coming, Jonathan asks if he even likes baseball. Will says no, but explains that sometimes it's fun to go with his father. But Jonathan asks if he ever lets Will do what he wants to do, like the Arcade. Jonathan then tells him that he shouldn't be forced to do things because people want him to, especially not their father. But Jonathan asks if he likes the Clash, to which Will happily says yes. Jonathan cranks up the volume, and the two jam out together on his bed.

OTHER CHARACTERS:.

William "Will" Byers,[4][5] portrayed by Noah Schnapp, is a main character in Stranger Things, having a recurring but pivotal role in the first season, before being promoted to the main cast from the second season onward. He is the youngest son of Joyce Byers, the younger brother to Jonathan Byers, the stepbrother of Eleven, and the best friend of Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, and Max Mayfield.

Joyce Byers (née Maldonado),[1] portrayed by Winona Ryder, is a main character in Stranger Things. She is the financially struggling single mother of Jonathan and Will Byers, the foster mother of Eleven, and the best friend/eventual girlfriend of Jim Hopper.

Lonnie Byers, portrayed by Ross Partridge, is a recurring character in the first season of Stranger Things. Lonnie is the shifty ex-husband of Joyce, and the father of Will and Jonathan.

Nancy Wheeler, portrayed by Natalia Dyer, is a main character in Stranger Things. Nancy is an aspiring journalist, and an ally to "the Party". She is the older sister of Mike Wheeler,

Argyle, portrayed by Eduardo Franco, is a main character in the fourth season of Stranger Things.[2] He is the best friend of Jonathan Byers upon his move to California, and delivers pizzas for Surfer Boy Pizza.

Steve Harrington, portrayed by Joe Keery, is a main character in Stranger Things, having a recurring role in the first season before being promoted to the main cast from the second season onwards.

Dustin Henderson, portrayed by Gaten Matarazzo, is a main character in Stranger Things. He is the best friend of Mike Wheeler, Eleven, Lucas Sinclair, Will Byers, Max Mayfield, Eddie Munson, and Steve Harrington, and is the boyfriend of Suzie Bingham. He is one of the members in the Party.

Michael "Mike" Wheeler, portrayed by Finn Wolfhard, is a main character in Stranger Things. The leader of the Party, he is the boyfriend of Eleven, the best friend of Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, Will Byers, and Max Mayfield, and the younger brother of Nancy Wheeler.

Lucas Charles Sinclair,[1] portrayed by Caleb McLaughlin, is a main character in Stranger Things. He is the best friend of Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Will Byers, and Eleven. He is also the older brother of Erica Sinclair as well as the on-and-off boyfriend of Max Mayfield. He is a member of "the Party" and the Hellfire Club, and is a former player for the Hawkins Tigers.

Maxine "Max" Mayfield,[3] portrayed by Sadie Sink, is a main character in Stranger Things, being introduced in the second season; she is also the protagonist of the book Stranger Things: Runaway Max. A newcomer to the Party, and the stepsister of Billy Hargrove, she is best friends with Will Byers, Dustin Henderson, Jane "Eleven" Hopper, Lucas Sinclair, and Mike Wheeler; she also has an on-and-off romantic relationship with Lucas.[1]

Robin Buckley,[4] portrayed by Maya Hawke, is a main character in the third and fourth seasons of Stranger Things, and the main protagonist of the book Stranger Things: Rebel Robin. She is the co-worker and best friend of Steve Harrington.

Jane Hopper (born Jane Ives), also known as Eleven or El, is a main character in Stranger Things. She is portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown