Winona Ryder’s Key Condition to Join Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’
Winona Ryder took a major risk when she agreed to join Netflix’s Stranger Things about ten years ago. At the time, Netflix was a fledgling platform with far fewer subscribers than today, and Ryder was unsure about committing to the new streaming format. She received only the pilot script from the show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, making her decision even more uncertain.
Ryder’s pivotal condition to the Duffers before signing on was to leave room for a potential Beetlejuice sequel. She was concerned that her role as Joyce Byers might clash with her iconic character, Lydia Deetz, from the 1988 movie Beetlejuice. Ryder later revealed to Harper’s BAZAAR, “As long as if Beetlejuice 2 happens, you’ll let me go do that.” This agreement proved beneficial as she reprised Lydia Deetz in Tim Burton’s 2024 box office hit, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, while continuing her role in Stranger Things.
Ryder admitted that playing Joyce for nearly a decade was a first in her career. She said, “I am literally on my 10th year playing her,” highlighting the unusual length of the role compared to her previous work. When she signed on, the concept of streaming was still unfamiliar and intimidating for her, particularly since the offer was for just one episode.
The filming schedules of both projects never conflicted. Ryder took advantage of Stranger Things breaks to work on the Beetlejuice sequel, allowing her to juggle both commitments successfully. This balance kept fans engaged with her performances in two major franchises simultaneously.
The Stranger Things latest season broke records with nearly 60 million viewers during its first week on Netflix. Meanwhile, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice earned over $450 million globally, sparking talks of a third film installment. Warner Bros. executives have confirmed a follow-up is “imminently” in development, keeping Ryder’s iconic character potentially alive for years to come.
The actress’s foresight and negotiation ensured she could continue to explore beloved roles without compromise. Her story reveals the complex considerations behind major career decisions in the evolving entertainment landscape.
Read more at: www.bgr.com
