Cara Buono, known for her role as Karen Wheeler in Stranger Things, opened up about wishing she had more moments on screen with her co-star Winona Ryder. At 54, Buono plays the mother of Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), and Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), and she feels some storylines could have explored deeper connections.
In an interview with People magazine, Buono revealed that she would have loved more scenes between Karen and Joyce, played by Ryder. “Back in season one, when Karen brings over a casserole, we’re just talking. I wish there were more moments like that with Winona,” she explained.
The actress praised Ryder’s talent, calling her “a phenomenal actress” and noted that their characters could have shared really compelling conversations. Buono emphasized that their interactions reflect an 80s-style friendship, where they occasionally check in about their children. Since Mike and Will are best friends, along with Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), the mothers’ relationship naturally mirrors that bond.
She added that a heart-to-heart between Karen and Joyce could have been fascinating. “They experience both the good and the bad times together, just like a typical day in Hawkins,” Buono said.
Season five shows Karen taking a more active role, especially after her youngest daughter, Holly, is attacked by a Demogorgon and taken to the Upside Down in Volume One. This season highlights Karen’s growth from a somewhat unaware mother to someone ready to fight for her children.
Stranger Things season five Volume One is now streaming on Netflix. Volume Two will premiere on December 25, leading to the finale on December 31.
