Joe Keery had been refining his paternal instincts long before Stranger Things. This allowed Steve Harrington’s shift from vacuous bully to devoted, baseball-bat-wielding protector of Dustin and the younger children to feel natural. He played the role of a babysitter so well that fans were ready to fight the Duffer Brothers for him.

This careful portrayal drew on Keery’s earlier experience playing an actual guardian, proving his nurturing instincts were fully developed before Hawkins.

The first babysitting role of Joe Kerry

Joe Keery had already explored the role of a protective figure before Stranger Things, portraying Emett Bird in a two-episode arc of Chicago Fire. Emmett reached out to Randall "Mouch" McHolland to make sure his half-sister Lizzie Shaffer’s father was a decent and responsible person.

For those who are not familar with the show, Chicago Fire is an American procedural drama series created by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt. It follows firefighters, paramedics, and rescue personnel at Firehouse 51, blending high-stakes action with personal drama.

By the time Keery played Steve Harrington, audiences could see that his protective instincts were not sudden. His performance as Emmett Bird had already refined his capacity for oversight, care, and gentle mentorship, making his on-screen guardianship feel natural and authentic.

Keery’s appearance in Chicago Fire came a year before Stranger Things premiered and marked his second-ever television credit. Fans who recognize him from those episodes can trace the early roots of his now-iconic babysitter persona.

Were you able to recognize Keery from Chicago Fire? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Iffat Siddiqui

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui