It seems thatWinona Ryderhad no idea whatNetflixor streaming platforms were when she was chosen to be a part of the cast ofStranger Things, which ended up becoming one of the biggest hits in the actress’s career. In 2016, when the Duffer brothers' series made its debut on Netflix, the streaming platform was already moderately established, but it is true that it had not become a global phenomenon. In fact, it was series likeStranger Things, House of CardsorOrange is the New Blackthat helped make Netflix what it is today.
At that time, there were practically no competitors for the service, since companies like Disney, Warner Bros. or Paramount would take a few years to catch up with Netflix by establishing their own platforms. Therefore, it is not so far-fetched that Ryder did not know what the whole streaming thing was about.
In a recent chat with Josh Horowitz on hisHappy, Sad, Confused podcast,Stranger Thingsproducer Shawn Levy revealed that the actress didn’t know what Netflix was when she joined the project:
“Winona opened our first meeting, the Duffers and I sat down and had tea with her, she opened by asking, ‘What is Netflix? What is streaming? Is it like TV but different?’ That was the start of the starting point. I adore that woman… But Winona took a little onboarding to explain this emerging form of storytelling called Netflix and streaming.”
InStranger Things, Ryder plays Joyce Byers, mother of Will (Noah Schnapp), whose disappearance is the starting point of the plot of the first season and the main trigger for the entire story. Joyce’s determination to find his son is essential within the story, and has turned her into one of the most beloved characters from the show.
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
Winona Ryder’s participation inStranger Thingswas something really important for the series, since the story takes place in the 80s, a decade during which Ryder was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Although during the 90s she also experienced one of the peaks of her career, in the previous decade she teamed up with director Tim Burton for the first time, becoming one of his muses thanks toBeetlejuice.
More than 35 years after the release of the film starring Michael Keaton, Burton is currently working on a sequel, which will bring back the main protagonist, Ryder as Lydia Deetz, and Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz, with both reprising their roles from the original movie. Joining them will beWednesdaystar Jenna Ortega as Ryder’s character’s daughter, Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s wife, Justin Theroux and Willem Dafoe.
Beetlejuice 2began filming earlier this year, but had to stop due to the actors' strike. The film is currently scheduled to hit theaters on June 08, 2025,although it could be delayedif the conflict between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP is not resolved.
