Gaten Matarazzo, after the finale of Stranger Things, has weighed in on how he feels about an iconic duo from the show. For all its monsters and mysteries, the show thrived on friendship sermons, neatly stitched together by “Friends do not lie," making the cast’s personal perspective a particularly compelling extension of that message.

Matarazzo explained to Variety that Dustin and Steve were never designed as a long-term pairing at first. He revealed that they decided to keep the now most iconic duo of the show because of one common characteristic: unrequited love.

“Lucas and Max end up together because it just wasn’t clunky and keeping Dustin in that plot would have been weird and bloated.” said Matarazzo while talking about the love triangle between Dustin, Max and Lucas.

Gaten Matarazzo revealed to Variety that the subplot was deemed unnecessary as soon as people witnessed Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin's chemistry. Leaving them, Dustin was free to go. The Stranger Things went for a similar route for Steve.

That core common ground finally told the story where to take Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson. The creative gamble paid off handsomely, delivering an iconic duo no one had planned but everyone embraced.

Few would dispute that Dustin and Steve turned contrast into charm, emerging as the series’ most lovable duo.

What made Dustin and Steve's friendship so loveable?

Dustin and Steve’s friendship is widely considered the emotional backbone of Stranger Things because it subverts typical character archetypes and provides consistent warmth amidst the show’s dark themes. This bond stands out immediately by refusing easy labels and leaning into contrast.

Their connection thrives on Opposite Personalities: the popular high school jock and the nerdy middle school kid. While Steve Harrington initially lacked academic intelligence and Dustin Henderson lacked social status, they balanced each other through shared trauma and mutual respect.

A 'Chosen Family' Dynamic further deepened the bond. As an only child from a single-mother household, Dustin Henderson found in Steve Harrington the older brother figure he never had, while Steve found responsibility and belonging.

Even as the seasons progressed and the threat of Vecna loomed over Hawkins, their friendship survived all turbulences. From Farrah Fawcett spray jokes to a “you die, I die” pact, and enduring grief after Eddie's death, their loyalty proved resilient through every transformation.

Did Gaten Matarazzo’s behind-the-scenes recollection change the way you view this iconic bond? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Iffat Siddiqui

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui