For our latest digital feature, we spotlighting Braxton Quinney, the voice behind fan-favorite Dustin Henderson in Netflix’s animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Developed by showrunner Eric Robles alongside Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, the animated adventure brings fans back to Hawkins during the winter of 1985, expanding the beloved universe with an all-new story set between Seasons 2 and 3 of the live-action series.

The series premiered on Netflix in April and quickly proved to be a hit, earning a Season 2 renewal shortly after its debut. Tales From ’85 reunites viewers with Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max as they face new supernatural mysteries in town. In our feature, Braxton discusses the surprise of joining the Stranger Things universe, bringing Dustin’s humor and heart to the animated series, and why Tales From ’85 gives longtime fans more adventures with the original friend group while introducing a new generation to Hawkins.

Exclusive Photos for Popternative Magazine by Kathlyn Almeida 
Grooming: Rachel Andersen 
PR: Sean Reilly

What was your first reaction when you found out you’d be joining the Stranger Things universe?

Braxton: The production team told me I landed the role of Dustin for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 over a Zoom call. However, I actually went into the call thinking I had a callback for another part, so I was completely shocked when they told me the news. It took me a few minutes to realize what they were saying. I thought they were joking, so I was totally surprised with the news. When I had originally auditioned for the voice role, it was under a fake title with a fake scriptso I had no idea it had anything to do with Stranger Things.

What excited you most about bringing these iconic characters to life in an animated format?

Braxton: I am a huge Stranger Things fan and loved the series before I had any part of it. I was so excited to explore the relationships between the core group of kids and really dig into the specific timeframe of being in middle school. They were kids just being kids. When I started recording, I was the same age that Dustin was in the animated series and it was fun to bring some of my own middle school mentality and experiences into the character. I think the animated format gives a new generation a way to experience these characters. I have younger brothers who were not quite old enough to watch the live-action series, so this was their first experience with the Stranger Things world, which is really cool.

Dustin is known for his humor, intelligence, and heart. Which side of his personality was the most fun to explore?

Braxton: I love all those things about Dustin, but for me, I really love his humor. For the first audition, we had to pick from several different characters to record. I automatically gravitated towards the comedic character, not knowing at all it was for Dustin. He has so many great one liners that I really had fun with it and even improvised a few extra funny lines in the booth as we were recording. He is such a loveable character with so much heart that you cannot help but chuckle with his lines.

What do you think longtime Stranger Things fans will be most excited to see in Tales From ’85?

Braxton: Fans will be excited to see the kid group back together and get more time with some of the iconic relationships that we saw in the live-action series. There are lots of new monsters, which are so exciting, but you also get to see the kids just being kids. They are back riding their bikes, worried about girl drama, bullies, playing in Mike’s basement but then we see them trek out on some brand new and exciting adventures that really welcome people back into Hawkins.

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Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 Season 1 is streaming on Netflix.

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