Cara Buono, who plays Karen Wheeler in Stranger Things, recently opened up about her character’s prominent action scene in the fifth season. She described Karen’s rare but fierce assertiveness, highlighting a "mom ferocity" that shines through when the situation demands it.
"She’s a functioning alcoholic," Buono shared candidly about Karen’s private struggles, giving the character a more complex and relatable dimension behind the scenes.
Buono revealed that she added depth to Karen’s character by imagining her as someone dealing with personal challenges privately, which explains some of her vulnerabilities and behaviors throughout the series.
"I think what I bring to Karen is that she's trying to hold it all together but also has these private battles, and that makes her more human," said Buono.
Reflecting on her final day of filming the series, Buono expressed nostalgic emotions mixed with pride. She noted how important it was for her to portray Karen authentically, especially in the season’s intense moments where the character steps up in surprising ways.
Cara Buono's portrayal enriches Karen Wheeler with a layered backstory and unexpected strength, making her stand out in the climactic moments of Stranger Things season 5.