Meet the Stranger Things star behind Young Will Byers
Netflix’s Stranger Things season 5 has a new cast member taking on an iconic role
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Stranger Things season 5, Volume 1
Netflix has released the first volume of Stranger Things season five, and fans have already devoured the four episodes. The sensational cliffhanger has left viewers on tenterhooks, with numerous fan theories now circulating, particularly about Vecna (played by Jamie Campbell Bower), reports the Mirror.
The second volume of Stranger Things season five will be available on Netflix UK and Ireland on Boxing Day (December 26) at 1am, while the third volume is set to arrive on New Year’s Day 2026 (January 1, 2026).
However, one new cast member has piqued the curiosity of many fans. This actor replaced Noah Schnapp as Will Byers for a flashback in the first five minutes of season five, following the recasting of Holly Wheeler.
Here’s everything you need to know about the young star who plays the younger version of the character.
Luke Kokotek played a young Will Byers in Stranger Things season 5 (Image: GETTY)
Who plays young Will Byers in Stranger Things?
Up-and-coming child actor Luke Kokotek steps into the role of Will in the flashback, where he is seen hiding from the demogorgon in Castle Byers in the Upside Down before being taken to Vecna.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this American child actor of Czech descent is the son of teacher and actress Mary Miles Harrelson.
He is the youngest of five siblings, with two older brothers and two older sisters, all of whom are actors.
He began by appearing in productions penned by his sisters, but his debut screen appearance came at just five years old when he featured in an HBO episode of The Righteous Gemstones as a mountain child.
Since that breakthrough, he’s appeared in numerous films and short productions with a particular emphasis on horror.
His filmography includes 115 Grains, Game of Heirs, Scared to Death, If the Creek Don’t Rise and Winter Psalm.
His latest work saw him appear in the Netflix series After Frozen, Triplet Sons Regret.
According to his IMDb profile, Kokotek’s hobbies include cycling, gaming, scooting and hoverboarding.
He’s also passionate about beekeeping alongside his mum.
CGI was used to create the Stranger Things Will Byers flashback (Image: NETFLIX)
The rising star has posted several snaps from the LA launch of Stranger Things season five, where he sported a crimson suit complete with a demogorgon pin crafted by one of his sisters.
In one Instagram update, Kokotek penned: “…in awe of what’s in front of me.”
Kokotek’s role mirrors that of young actress Martie Blair, who portrayed Young Eleven in place of Millie Bobby Brown during Stranger Things season four’s Hawkins Lab Massacre flashback sequences.
Star Brown mentored Blair through the demanding emotional sequences to prepare her for the crucial moments.
Brown’s features were digitally mapped onto Blair’s physique, with the actress mirroring similar expressions before the two performances were seamlessly combined.
Discussing the collaboration process with Kokotek for season five with Deadline, Schnapp revealed he sought advice from his colleague Brown. He continued to tell the outlet: “It was fun to step into those director shoes that we don’t really get the chance to do on the show.
“And think introspectively and reflectively of how I act and how I did act and move and breathe and turn and look and kind of relay that onto this little kid, who was so cute. It was a fun experience.”
Adding: “It’s a little digital-looking. It’s hard to make it look perfect, but it turned out pretty well.”
Stranger Things season 5, volume 2 is released on Netflix UK and Ireland on Boxing Day (December 26) at 1am
