Hope Hynes Love poses with Stranger Things creators Ross Duffer (left) and Matt Duffer (right) (Image via Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools on Facebook)

The fifth and final season of the Netflix drama Stranger Things features a familiar face from the Chapel Hill Carrboro community.

Miss Harris, a new teacher character, was portrayed by Hope Hynes Love of East Chapel Hill High School. Love is a longtime theatre teacher and has been the school’s artistic director since 2005. She was included because during her time as a teacher at Jordan High School in Durham, she taught a young Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of Stranger Things.

“High school was rough for me and my brother,” Ross Duffer wrote in an Instagram post. “But Hope saw something in us we didn’t see in ourselves — and she helped give us the confidence to not only survive those four years, but to move to LA and chase our dreams.”

In the new season, Miss Harris plays an important part in the plot, serving as one of the adult role models who notices strange behavior in the young Holly Wheeler, portrayed by Nell Fisher. Holly Wheeler is the little sister of main characters Mike and Nancy Wheeler, and she took on a more prominent role in the fifth season.

“Shoutout to all the teachers out there making a difference,” Ross said. “And please… let’s prioritize the arts in schools.”

CHCCS also shared its excitement over having one of its educators take to the small screen, posting on Facebook to inform students and families about her role in the show.

The Duffer brothers have included nods to their native North Carolina in every season of Stranger Things. From references to Cornwallis street in Durham, the Eno River, and Jordan Lake, there are plenty of North Carolina Easter eggs to be spotted throughout the show’s run.

Part one of Stranger Things 5 was released Nov. 26, consisting of four episodes. Part two will be released Dec. 25, consisting of three episodes. The series finale will be streamable on Netflix Dec. 31.

 

Featured image via CHCCS on Facebook.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Speaking of Schools: Angela McChesney, Ka Yi and Zaida Walker
For this month's Teacher Feature on Speaking of Schools, several educators in the CHCCS Newcomer Program speak with 97.9 The Hill. Newcomer teachers Angela McChesney and Ka Yi share their experiences working with students who learning English as their second language, while parent liaison Zaida Walker shares details on the program's success and importance.
CHCCS Board of Education Weighs Closing 2 Elementary Schools Amid Enrollment, Funding Declines
The CHCCS Board of Education began its latest round of feedback on Feb. 5 about how to approach closing at least one elementary school in the face of waning enrollment and funding challenges.
CHCCS, Orange County Schools on 2-Hour Delay for Thursday as Districts Monitors Overnight Precipitation
With the threat of wintry mix and freezing temperatures on Wednesday night, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced it will operate on a two-hour delay for Thursday morning.
CHCCS on Remote Learning, Chatham and Orange County Schools Closed After Weekend Winter Storm
After Winter Storm Gianna dumped several inches of snow across central North Carolina Saturday, school districts across the community have announced closures for Monday, Feb. 2. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will have a remote learning day on Monday. Middle and high schoolers will use synchronous instruction, meaning teachers will meet with students through live virtual sessions. […]
UNC Men's Basketball Collaborates With Hargraves Students to Design Warm-Up Shirts
The UNC men’s basketball team took another road trip Wednesday afternoon, though this one was closer to home than most.
Top Stories of 2025: A Year of Change for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
While the academic calendar goes from July to June, this calendar year for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools was filled with major stories.
CHCCS Competition Cooks up Hands-On Culinary Experience for Local High School Students
CHCCS recently hosted its first-annual high school culinary competition, offering a hands-on cooking experience outside the classroom.
N.C. House Committee Grills CHCCS Leaders Over 'Parents' Bill of Rights' Policies; District Maintains Compliance
CHCCS leaders appeared in Raleigh to testify to lawmakers about whether the district is following the Parents' Bill of Rights law.
Orange County Schools Cancels Class for Tuesday; CHCCS Issues 2-Hour Delay, Sets Normal Operations For Wednesday
Orange County Schools will hold no instruction on Tuesday, Dec. 9, over concerns for road conditions, while CHCCS will operate on a delay.
CHCCS Teacher Featured In 'Stranger Things' Final Season
The fifth and final season of the Netflix drama Stranger Things features a familiar face from the Chapel Hill Carrboro community.
›