Originally published on 3/14/26

Season 5 of Stranger Things might have been met with backlash, anger and confusion, but the one thing that all fans agreed on was that Derek Turnbow—a.k.a Delightful Derek—played by Jake Connelly—was a much needed addition to the show’s plot and cast. At just 14-years-old, the Chicago, Illinois native stole viewers’ hearts and became an international sensation. Despite that success, Connelly has remained a normal guy. He still goes to middle school every day, eats at Raising Cane’s and like the rest of us has thoughts on the Stranger Things Season 5 finale. To learn what he thinks, keep scrolling. 

Jake Connelly opens up about working with Winona Ryder 

A lot of Derek’s plotline in Season 5 of Stranger Things revolves around him working with Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) to figure out who Mr. Whatsit is and why he wants to kidnap the kids of Hawkins, Indiana. In fact, it was Joyce that first called Derek “Delightful Derek” instead of “Dipsh-t Derek,” which is how most of the characters referred to him.. 

“Winona Ryder was probably one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met in my life,” Connelly exclusively tells Woman’s World. “She was so kind to me and it was really good chemistry, because she’s so maternal. I don’t know why, but she is just the nicest person that I’ve ever worked with.”

“My mother would torture Winona on set because she’s allergic to bees, so my mom would go up behind her in the holding tent and start making buzzing sounds. That’s just my mom for you,” the actor continues. 

Jake Connelly reveals his thoughts on the finale 

Season 5 of Stranger Things ended with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) supposedly sacrificing herself to save The Party. Many people believe that Eleven didn’t actually die, instead manipulating the military into thinking she was dead so she could finally live her life away from the government’s abuse. Many people liked this ending, believing it was a full circle moment, since Eleven had put herself in harm’s way in the past, but others saw it as a cop out that allowed the show’s producers to tease a big deal, without actually killing someone. 

“I don’t know if Eleven’s alive. I’m not entirely convinced, but I feel like a little bit more evidence could push me over the edge,” Connelly said. “I enjoyed the ending, though I know a lot of people did not, but I liked where my character ended up. And I feel like I respect everybody’s opinion whether they liked it or not. Personally, I thought it was good.” 

As for where Derek is now, Connelly said he’s probably still friends with Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) and playing Dungeons & Dragons. But as an adult? 

“I don’t know why, but he just seems like a real estate guy to me,” the actor jokes. 

In his real life, though, Connelly said he plans on continuing school. He also plans to keep acting, and said that his dream role would be in the Star Wars, Marvel or DC universe. 

“One time, my Spanish teacher didn’t believe me when I said I was absent because I had to go shoot a movie,” he said. “And she was, like, ‘No, you did not.’ I was, like, ‘Yeah, I had to go shoot a movie.’ It was hilarious.” 

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/stranger-things-jake-connelly-on-winona-ryder-and-finale-exclusive