All the Game of Thrones connections in Stranger Things season 4
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Warning: This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things season 4.
Winter has come for Stranger Things season 4.
The Duffer brothers previously warned EW that they refer to the latest volume of their hit Netflix show as "our Game of Thrones season." Now that the first seven episodes have hit the streamer showing darker (sometimes literally) scenes, even more ruthless villains, and our heroes of House Byers and House Wheeler split up and wandering various lands, we know why.
If there's anything the kids of Stranger Things say to death, it certainly is, "Not today." But it turns out the Upside Down has an even more direct connection to the Iron Throne: two season 4 stars also appeared on Game of Thrones, both involving run-ins with Arya Stark (Maisie Williams).
Netflix (2); Helen Sloan/HBO Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson on 'Stranger Things,' Maisie Williams as Arya Stark on 'Game of Thrones,' and Tom Wlaschiha as Dmitri on 'Stranger Things.'
Ironically, the most recognizable Game of Thrones star on Stranger Things this season is one known for having no face at all. Tom Wlaschiha plays Dimitri, a guard at the Russian prison where Hopper (David Harbour) is being held after escaping death in the explosive season 3 finale. The two men go on to form a connection over the season. Wlaschiha also formed a memorable connection with Arya as Jaqen H'ghar, one of the Faceless Men of Braavos, an order of assassins who can change their appearance at will, who trains Arya ("A man teaches a girl") to become No One.
Joe Quinn, a breakout this season as Hellfire Club's rockin' dungeon master Eddie Munson, also had an exchange with Arya, although much more brief. Quinn played one of two guards in the seventh season of Game of Thrones who heckle her when she returns to Winterfell to reunite with her sister, Sansa (Sophie Turner). "Look, it's cold and we're busy, so y'know, best f--- off," he tells her, thinking she's an impersonator of the real Arya Stark, whom they believe to be dead.
And there's another close encounter between the star-crossed shows.
Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays the Friendly Orderly revealed in episode 7 to be Vecna himself, was part of the cast for the unnamed GOT spin-off pilot starring Naomi Watts that was ultimately cancelled before seeing the light of day, even after HBO reportedly spent more than $30 million making it. Although we missed our chance for Bower to potentially be revealed as the original Night King all along, there's still hope we'll get to see Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) lay waste to the Upside Down like Dany (Emilia Clarke) did to King's Landing (only this time, we'll be cheering!) when the final episodes of Stranger Things season 4 hit Netflix on July 1.
Stranger Things season 4 Volume I is streaming on Netflix now. Read our full recap of Stranger Things season 4.
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