Joe Keery Opens Up About Steve & Stranger Things In New Interview

Joe Keery is featured in the November issue of GQ magazine. The young actor sat down with the magazine to promote the second season of Stranger Things. Highlights are below.

On his character Steve: “Originally, I auditioned for Jonathan. They were having everybody across the country audition for that. And when I got the script, Steve was definitely a little harsher. He was having this party—I think it was on a beach, because it originally took place in Montauk, Long Island. And he was a total, total dick. He forced himself on Nancy. Way harsher. But I think the Duffer Brothers were up for incorporating ideas we would have into the characters, and I had an instant idea what Steve would be like. I based it on people in my life, and characters that you see in those movies. In my mind, I think he has qualities that make him sort of a jerk. And aloof. And maybe not the most intelligent guy. But at the end of the day, I think he really does mean well.”

On the new faces to season two: “The new people we brought into the mix are some unbelievably talented actors. Paul Resier, Brett Gelman, Sean Astin… you list those people’s names, and you think about the films, and experience, and all the things they’ve worked on. I was sitting next to Sean Astin at the table read, and I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m sitting next to Rudy.’ It’s the craziest thing.”

On playing a teenager: “I still looking relatively young for my age, so I find myself going in for these teenage roles. But as time goes on, I feel less and less like a teenager. Like… I shouldn’t be auditioning for a teenager. Certain things will always hurt: rejection, or loss. But I just turned 25. I’ll be turning 26 this year. It’s actually getting kind of far away for me. But I’m a working adult… so if I’ve gotta be a teenager, I’ll do it. [laughs]”

You can check out more from his interview here. Stranger Things is available on Netflix now.