- Jake Connelly, 13, has become a breakout star in Stranger Things season five for his role as Derek.
- Derek was rewritten mid-production from a one-note bully into a redeemed leader after Connelly’s charming table read.
- Joyce (Winona Ryder) helps Derek turn around; Jamie Campbell Bower offered Connelly on-set mentorship.
H2: From Chicago kid to Hawkins’ surprising hero
Jake Connelly is 13, from Chicago, and until recently his biggest credit was a local roofing commercial. Now he’s the internet’s latest favorite for playing Derek, the foulmouthed — and ultimately heroic — kid in Stranger Things season five. Fans loved Derek’s blunt lines, especially the irreverent “suck a fat one,” but Connelly says the character’s charm comes from an underlying vulnerability.
H3: How the role evolved on set
Derek was originally written as a stereotypical bully. But after Connelly’s table read, creators Matt and Ross Duffer decided to expand the part. The change gave Derek a redemption arc: motivated by a pep talk from Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), he becomes a leader who helps free Hawkins’ children from Vecna’s control.
Connelly told reporters he felt honored the Duffers wanted to give him more to do. “I think it all started at the table read,” he said. The shift turned a disposable antagonist into a memorable, meme-ready character fans now quote in school hallways.
H3: Mentors and on-set moments
Connelly says Jamie Campbell Bower — who plays Vecna — offered him simple, grounded advice: “Keep your head on straight and never let it touch the clouds.” Winona Ryder’s warmth also helped; Connelly recalls feeling nervous about a hayloft scene and says Ryder gave him a hug after.
Director Frank Darabont coached Connelly’s distinctive laugh, telling him to “heckle like a goblin.” The result is a laugh that co-stars and viewers have noted as uniquely Derek.
H4: Why viewers relate to Derek
Connelly believes people connect with Derek because he’s insecure and flawed. “Nobody’s really a bad person; we all have a little bit of good in our hearts,” he said, comparing Derek’s arc to the Grinch. That mix of cringe, humor, and genuine growth helped Derek go from annoyance to empathy.
H4: A young actor balancing life and fame
Despite the buzz, Connelly remains a typical teen: he plays football, enjoys sledding, and jokes about being excited when friends quote his lines. He remembers getting the role during a basement shelter-in-place and celebrates simple set perks — like being left a bag of Nerds and balloons by his teacher.
H3: What’s next for Jake Connelly?
For now, Connelly is riding the wave of Stranger Things’ reaction while staying grounded. The experience expanded his career beyond a local commercial and introduced him to a tight-knit cast that welcomed him “like day one.” Whether Derek’s catchphrases live on, Connelly’s breakout proves how a small role — given room to grow — can become a season-defining character.
News Tags: jake connelly, Stranger Things, Delightful Derek, Jamie Campbell Bower, Winona Ryder, Stranger Things season 5, Derek Turnbow
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