Stranger Things is a global phenomenon, which means that, for the child actors in the series, the cast had to grow up in the spotlight. Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler in the series, recently talked about how hard that experience is.
Stranger Things has been one of Netflix's flagship series since the show premiered in 2016. Wolfhard was 13 and was catapulted into fame. Stranger Things takes high places on streaming charts, consistently making Wolfhard and company some of the highest-profile child actors. As such, Wolfhard was exposed to countless fan creations celebrating his performances, which Wolfhard admits to finding 'weird.'
In an interview with GQ, Wolfhard opened up about his anxiety and said he was "fine" at first. Caught up in the whirlwind of fame and filming, Wolfhard did not acknowledge or realize that he was developing the condition. “Everyone was like, ‘Look at him, he’s fine. He’s having the best time,’” Wolfhard said. “But in reality, I was probably also developing and things were happening in my brain and anxieties were forming and things that I didn’t realize that I had to bury because of how I had to feel at work.”
Wolfhard was candid in the interview, stating that he still struggles with anxiety attacks. While filming When You Finish Saving the World, Wolfhard experienced a panic attack. According to Wolfhard, the film was his first as an adult, and the pressure made him struggle. Luckily, director and writer Jesse Eisenberg reassured Wolfhard and told him of his own experience with panic attacks on the set of Adventureland.
Wolfhard also revealed he's keen to begin filming Stranger Things season 5. “I was stoked [to finish the show], actually, after I watched four. Like, ‘Oh hell yeah. Let’s finish this,” Wolfhard said. “It’s going to be nuts to finish it. It’s going to be amazing, but it’s going to be nuts.” Wolfhard said he won't be concerned with staying "relevant" after Stranger Things. Wolfhard instead stated that he's concerned with his work and family and gave some healthy advice about taking a break when things become difficult.
Wolfhard is set to direct his horror comedy, Hell of a Summer, alongside Ghostbusters: Afterlife co-star Billy Bryk. Though the details of that film are under wraps, it looks like Wolfhard is ready to begin taking his career in a new direction. It also sounds like he understands when he needs a break, so fans shouldn't expect to see him constantly in the spotlight, as is his wish.
Stranger Things season 1-4 are streaming on Netflix.
Source: GQ
