Stranger Things season 4: Who is Yuri?

Stranger Things season 4 is on its way! With the new season still in production, Netflix hasn’t really released any new teasers, except for one. That new teaser involves a new cast member that recently joined the Netflix original series by the name of Yuri.

Back in November of 2020, Netflix announced eight new cast members that would be joining the Stranger Things family in the upcoming season. We saw names like Robert Englund, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Joseph Quinn, names that really got us more excited for season 4!

The Duffer Brothers have said in the past that they’re always looking to add fresh, fun faces from season to season but also keeping things as simple and as original as possible.

Stranger Things shared a list of the new cast members that would be joining the series on their Instagram page back in November.

Who is Yuri in Stranger Things season 4?

There’s very little that we actually know about Yuri, other than the casting announcement that shared a little bit about the character.

Portrayed by Nikola Djuricko, Yuri is a Russian smuggler who “loves crunchy peanut butter, bad jokes, and cold hard cash,” according to Stranger Things and Netflix.

Netflix does a pretty good job of keeping things very tight-lipped and under the radar as far as major leaks or knowing too much about a certain character or plot points.

Based on everything we know right now, Yuri’s business is located in Anchorage, Alaska, which is probably the closest place you could be to Hopper without setting off major red flags.

How do we know this? Netflix just released a brand new teaser for the fans but in a very unique way.

What does the message from Yuri say and why is it important?

As we get closer to the release of season 4, you can expect Netflix to start “toying” with the fans by releasing hints, teasers, and mysteries.

For example, the Stranger Things Instagram page has what appears to be three dolls in its bio. If we go back and remember the hints that were dropped for season 3, their bio featured rats. We know now those rats played a part in season 3 and really meant a lot as far as what was going on in Hawkins.

In Netflix’s latest tease, they sent brown packages to a Stranger Things fan account, that included Russian dolls. Inside of those dolls contained a phone number for fans to call.

With that Anchorage, Alaska area code that we mentioned before, fans could hear the following message below:

"“Hello, this is Yuri, of Yuri’s Fish and Fly. Would you like to book a trip with me? And, perhaps together, we soar the Arctic with the fish and the polar bears?I’m sorry, are you speaking? I can not hear you because this is a pre-recorded message, you peanut brain. I got you. I got you good. I must be very busy now, perhaps with a customer. Perhaps with my beautiful Katinka. But I’m pleased to book a trip for you another time for a good, fair price. Much more fair price than (someone or something?) Just leave a number and I will call when less busy. Goodbye.”"

This is a major message and hint for the fans for many reasons. Yuri clearly seems to be up for the task of helping to rescue Hopper. That’s what most Stranger Things fans seem to be thinking as far as what exactly his role will be in season 4.

Being a Russian smuggler, Yuri knows all the tricks of the trade as far as getting Hopper home safely. We know that once Joyce finds out that Hoopers is alive and well, she will be full steam ahead to get him back home safely. We all know Murray will be along for that ride as well.

What now has me intrigued is how will they find out that Hopper is still alive? That remains to be seen.

Alexei was a fan favorite last season, and he, unfortunately, will not be here with us for season 4, but I believe this will be an opportunity for Yuri to become a fan favorite as well.

I can’t wait to see how yuri will fit into season 4 and what adventure lie ahead for him and the original gang!

We’ll keep you posted on all updates Stranger Things season 4 related as we cant expect things to start heating up going forward! We’ll let you know when season 4 is coming out as soon as we find out.