- - “Stranger Things”’ Cara Buono Wants to Have a ‘Heart-to-Heart’ Conversation with This Character (Exclusive)

Julia MooreDecember 21, 2025 at 7:00 AM

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Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler in 'Stranger Things' season 5 -

Stranger Things star Cara Buono has been playing Karen Wheeler, mom to Nancy, Mike and Holly, since season 1 of the Netflix hit

She tells PEOPLE which costar she "would've loved more screen time with" after a near-decade on the series

"There could have been some really, really interesting scenes and conversations between them," she says of Karen and Winona Ryder's Joyce

Cara Buono has quite the arc in Stranger Things season 5, but there are still a few things she wishes she could've seen Karen Wheeler do.

The 54-year-old actress, who plays the mom of Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), tells PEOPLE that there's one character in particular she would've loved to see Karen have more of a relationship with.

"I would've loved more screen time with Joyce," Buono says, referring to Winona Ryder's character, who is mom to Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp).

"In season 1, when Karen brings the casserole over, and we're talking, I would've loved to have had some [more] scenes with Winona," Buono says.

"First, I think she's a phenomenal actress. And I think for the characters, there could have been some really, really interesting scenes and conversations between them," she continues.

Winona Ryder and Cara Buono in 'Stranger Things' season 1

As she points out, "You never really see either one of them talk to another female" during the series. Joyce is more connected to Murray (Brett Gelman) and Hopper (David Harbour), with whom she strikes up a romantic connection. "That is very '80s, though."

When Karen and Joyce do interact, they're "just occasionally checking in on if the other has seen the other's kids," as Mike and Will are best friends, along with Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin).

"But I would've liked to have imagined them, both in the good times and the bad times, just like in a normal day in Hawkins," Buono continues. "Maybe some catch-up of, 'Hey, have you known what's been going on this whole time?'"

"A heart-to-heart would be a really interesting conversation," she admits.

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Cara Buono and Winona Ryder attend Netflix's "Stranger Things" Season 4 New York Premiere

Though she would've loved more time with Ryder, 54, onscreen, Buono is more than happy with where her character's arc goes in the show's final season.

"I was so excited to see that they gave me so much incredible action, and it was just really satisfying to see her just step into this powerful fight onscreen," she said of Karen's fearless defense of her young daughter, Holly, when a Demogorgon takes her from the Wheelers' house to the Upside Down in Vol. 1.

"She didn't hesitate. There wasn't a flicker of doubt or worry. It was just — instantaneous hero, and she took what she had available, and tried to save her daughter."

Buono loved that her character's years of "emotional vigilance finally turn into action" as the hit series comes to an end.

"She spent all these seasons worrying and sensing danger, and trying to hold her family together," she said. "I just feel like the conclusion of her arc — it's not really about becoming someone new. I think it's just about revealing who she's always been and what she's always been capable of."

Vol. 1 of Stranger Things season 5 is now streaming on Netflix. Vol. 2 premieres Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the finale on Dec. 31.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”