Throughout multiple seasons of Stranger Things, veteran actor Matthew Modine portrayed villainous scientist, Dr. Martin Brenner. Modine’s illustrious career spans 40 years, and the actor gained popularity in the 1980s following his portrayals of Private Joker in Full Metal Jacket and as the titular character in Birdy. In an interview with The Times, though, Modine discussed how fame has changed for his young co-stars on the sci-fi series:

Stranger Things premiered in 2016, and much of its central cast were children or teens. Brown, for example, was only 12 years old when the series premiered. The actor also went on to discuss how he shared his experience in the film industry to help his younger cast mates:

“The kind of the overnight success my young co-star Millie Bobby Brown experienced, because of the speed and spread of streaming, is something that never existed before,” he said.

Although Modine’s character on the popular sci-fi series met his demise during the last season, Modine recently said he’d love for Dr. Brenner to return in a redemption storyline. The anticipated fifth and final season of Stranger Things will begin filming next year. There is an expected time jump that will take place, given how much the young cast has grown since its initial season.

“There’s ups and downs in a career,” said Modine. “I’ve had conversations with Millie and the others. And I try to help them to understand they are on a rollercoaster. And the higher you go in your career, the more that drop will feel really, really frightening.”

Modine’s Multigenerational Filmography

Modine is likely most recognizable to younger generations for his portrayal of the villainous scientist on Stranger Things, and he’s thankful for that exposure:

Modine has accrued more than 100 acting credits throughout his expansive career. His appearance in 1984’s Birdy is widely considered his breakout role. Modine then appeared in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, and other notable film credits include Vision Quest, Married to the Mob, The Dark Knight Rises, Gross Anatomy, and Short Cuts, among others. On television, he has appeared on Weeds, Proof, and And the Band Played On. His portrayal of epidemiologist Dr. Don Francis in the television film And the Band Played earned him multiple award nominations.

“I’m so grateful for that show. It’s given me a new generation.”

Next year, Modine will appear Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Nimród Antal’s Retribution.