Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn is speaking against harassment toward his former co-star, Grace Van Dien. The two rose to prominence for their roles in season 4 of the hit series, but they have faced some ugly incidents during fan interactions.
Stranger Things fans will remember Quinn's turn as Eddie Munson, the head of the Hellfire Club and instant fan favorite. Van Dien's role as Chrissy was also a scene-stealer. Though she only appeared in the show for an episode, Van Dien's performance and chemistry with Quinn quickly endeared her to fans. Unfortunately, both characters met their demise in the same season they were introduced, and both actors have faced some toxicity from the fandom.
During a live Q&A at Showmasters' London Comic Con (via Independent), Quinn was asked his thoughts on the "awful" harassment Van Dien has received. “I was talking to her about it. The internet is a very unforgiving place. It’s a place where people can show a lot of support, or where people can rally around hatred and misinformation," Quinn said. "It’s indicative of where we are culturally – just through association she was getting lambasted. It’s disgusting. I don’t know what to say other than it sucks.”
Quinn has faced his share of harassment. Quinn's performance was so popular that fans were devastated when Eddie was killed, and they immediately got to work crafting theories about Eddie Munson's potential return in Stranger Things season 5. Unfortunately, his quick and sudden rise to prominence has led to numerous invasions of his privacy. Some fans have felt entitled to know more about Quinn's personal life.
There's no denying Stranger Things is a phenomenon. However, it seems that the fandom can get particularly zealous, and the harm that toxic fandoms can generate is on full display here. Van Dien has been harassed for numerous reasons, none of them good. Much of the abuse she received appears to be rooted in misogyny. For instance, her character, Chrissy, is frequently shipped with Eddie, which seems to be a big reason for the hatred. Either Chrissy 'gets in the way' of a different ship, or she occupies a position many fans would like to self-insert into.
The result is the dehumanization of an actress guilty of no crime but delivering a killer performance. This isn't the first time that the cast of Stranger Things has expressed discomfort with the level of fame and scrutiny they receive, either. Series star Finn Wolfhard opened up about his struggles with anxiety while filming the show, and he explained his desire to live a more anonymous life once the show is over. Ultimately, the issue of fan harassment seems all too pervasive.
Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix.
Source: Live Q&A at Showmasters' London Comic Con (via The Independent)