Stranger Things season five introduces the new character Derek Turnbow, played by young newcomer actor Jake Connelly, and there coincidentally is a famous athlete of the same name.
Derrick Turnbow, who spells his first name slightly differently, is a former MLB player who actually is around the same age as the character.
Keep reading to find out more…
Who is Derek? In the fifth season of Stranger Things, he’s introduced as one of Holly Wheeler‘s classmates who bullies her. Vecna sets him as his next target and Will Byers figures out the plan, so they set out to stop him from being taken.
The season takes place in November 1987. The real Derrick would have been 9 at this time, which is likely just about how old Derek on the show is as well! It all appears to be an interesting coincidence as they are clearly different people.
Derrick was a Major League Baseball pitcher, who played for both the Anaheim Angels and the Milwaukee Brewers. He was an All-Star in 2006.
Derek Turnbow marks Jake‘s first major acting role. He announced his casting in July 2024, posting on Instagram, “So excited and honored to be in Hawkins and to join the awesome cast of @strangerthingstv!”
Learn all about the ages of the cast and the characters they’re playing in the final season.