My bet is on Steve Harrington.

And no, it’s not random.

Steve has been on borrowed time since Season 2.

Here’s why 👇

His entire arc already feels complete.
From selfish high school jock
to the most reliable protector in the group.

That transformation is done.

In long-running shows, characters who finish their growth don’t get new paths.
They get endings.

Steve has become the shield.
The one who steps in first.
The one who buys time for everyone else.

That role almost always ends the same way.

Season 4 pushed it even harder.
More responsibility.
More risk.
More “I’ll handle it” moments.

That’s not setup for survival.
That’s setup for sacrifice.

Narratively, his death hits multiple levels at once.
It devastates the group.
It hardens Dustin.
It raises the stakes without touching Eleven directly.

Stranger Things needs one loss that feels earned, not shocking.

Steve fits that better than anyone.

I’m on Steve Harrington.