Six months before filming, I get a call to stop cutting my hair
Gaten Matarazzo aka Dustin Henderson from Stranger Things talks about what keeps him enthusiastic even after seven years
We have a bit of a different spin this year, separating season four into two volumes. GATEN MATARAZZO, Actor
Actor Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin is perhaps the most popular and likeable character in the sci-fi horror drama, Stranger Things. The 19-year-old was all of 12 when he appeared in first season of the Netflix show. Seven years and four seasons later, we ask him what keeps him going with the same energy and enthusiasm as season one.
“Every time we start a new season, every day I show up on set, it feels more exciting than the last. The love I have for this show, the love I have for these people (his co-stars) grows exponentially. I could not have asked to be a part of a better project,” Matarazzo tells us, during an interaction in Sydney, Australia.
Given that these years also happen to be the same period when OTT platforms gained steam across the world, including India, Stranger Things has definitely benefited in terms of reaching the audience. Matarazzo agrees and says, “I feel the ability for people to sit down and binge was definitely a big part of the appeal [of the series]. And I think that’s how people really enjoy watching the show. We have a bit of a different spin this year, separating season four into two volumes.”
Revolving around a group of high school friends who turn saviours for their town, after it’s attacked by otherworldly monsters, the show combines elements of horror, thrill, drama and sci-fi. But what remains at the core is the friendship between these kids. And that’s what Matarazzo finds the most fascinating about the show. He says, “At the core, it really is about friends, community and the love you have for the people around, because you do everything for that. You go through so much and fight against something this horrible (monsters) for the normalcy, so you can go back to the mall, playing Dungeons and Dragons, enjoying high school. That’s why these characters fight so hard.”
While Stranger Things has a huge ensemble cast, each character gets to stand out. And Matarazzo, in particular, gets the most attention for his quirky persona, curly hair and toothless smile. Ask him if he could go back to season one and change one thing about Dustin — except for the hair — and he quips, “It (the hair) is always a challenge. I get a call like six months before we start filming... the signal to stop cutting my hair and that’s always a sad, sad day.”
He is quick to add that there’s very little he’d like to change about his character. “I think the introduction to the show and to how my character would progress is quite fun. He’s really one of my favourite characters from the show,” he concludes, confirming that there will be a fifth season and “it’s going to be emotional going into that”.