Jane "El" Hopper (born Jane Ives), better known as Eleven, is one of the main protagonists of Stranger Things. Her character is portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown.

Michael "Mike" Wheeler, portrayed by Finn Wolfhard, is one of the main protagonists of Stranger Things.

Dustin Henderson, portrayed by Gaten Matarazzo, is a major protagonist in the first three seasons of Stranger Things. He is best friends with Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair , Eleven, Will Byers, and Max Mayfield.

William "Will" Byers, portrayed by Noah Schnapp, is a recurring character in the first season and a main character in the second and third season of Stranger Things . Will is the son of Lonnie and Joyce Byers and the younger brother of Jonathan Byers. He is best friends with Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Eleven, and Max Mayfield.

Lucas Charles Sinclair, portrayed by Caleb McLaughlin, is a major protagonist in the first, second, and third seasons of Stranger Things. He is one of the best friends of Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Will Byers and Eleven.

Maxine "Max" Mayfield is a main protagonist introduced in the second season of Stranger Things. She is portrayed by Sadie Sink.

Billy Hargrove, portrayed by Dacre Montgomery, is a main character and a secondary antagonist in the second season of Stranger Things and a main antagonist in the third season.

Jonathan Byers, portrayed by starring cast member c, is a major character in Stranger Things. He is the older brother of Will Byers. His life was turned upside down following the disappearance of his younger brother.

Nancy Wheeler, portrayed by starring cast member Natalia Dyer, is a major character in the first, second, and third seasons of Stranger Things. At first, concerned with simple teenage high school issues, her world is turned upside down when her best friend Barbara Holland vanishes, encouraging her to seek out the truth.

Steve Harrington, portrayed by Joe Keery, is a recurring character in the first season and a main character in the second and third season of Stranger Things.

Joyce Byers, portrayed by Winona Ryder, is a major character in Stranger Things. The financially poor single mother of Will and Jonathan Byers, Joyce works as a retail clerk and relies on help from her eldest to make ends meet.

James "Jim" Hopper, portrayed by David Harbour, is a major character in the first, second, and third seasons of Stranger Things.