Stranger Things' Matthew Modine would love to make one final Hawkins appearance before the show bows out with season 5.
If you're thinking you've already seen the last of Modine's morally ambiguous Dr Martin Brenner aka Papa, you may be right. The scientist's death scene with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) in chapter four, first streaming on Netflix in 2022, did seem pretty conclusive.
However, in a show like Stranger Things, there's really no telling who's truly gone for good. And Modine would certainly like a second chance, as he explained in a chat to Vulture.
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"No, I wouldn't [say Brenner is dead]," the Full Metal Jacket star said.
"Because I wouldn't want him to be dead," he added, even suggesting that Brenner could have some superpowers of his own.
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"Three things are curious to me: How did he survive the Demogorgon? How did he survive One?
"And when Eleven tries to use her power against Dr Brenner after blowing three guards in the air, he unflinchingly thwarts her and says, 'You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you?' She couldn't get it to work on him.
"Is there something more to Brenner than meets the eye?"
Most of all, Modine would like to offer his character some redemption before the grand finale.
"Yeah. I don't want to believe it's over, because I love the Duffers," he said, detailing his special bond with Brown, whose wedding to Jake Bongiovi he officiated earlier in the year.
"I don't want to believe it's over, because I can't wait to work with Millie again. I say Millie, because I don't really have anything to do with the other cast members — except for Paul Reiser [Dr Sam Owens]."
He added: "Obviously, the only children he tortured who are alive, that we know of, are Eleven and Kali. I guess Vecna, if there's any saving One. It would be that moment of them forgiving Brenner and giving him their grace."
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Whether we'll get to see Modine's wish granted is still unclear. However, it's safe to say Brenner doesn't seem to be at the top of the list of characters that fans would love to bring back from the dead.
Stranger Things lovers are still reeling from the sacrifice of Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn in season 4.
Whilst he's unlikely to appear in round 5, the metalhead and Dungeons & Dragons DM will be the protagonist of a Stranger Things prequel comic book series titled The Rise of Hellfire.
Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are streaming on Netflix. A fifth and final season is in production. Stranger Things: The First Shadow is now booking until February 2025 at the Phoenix Theatre in London. Tickets are available now.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
