Jake Connelly | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2012 (age 12–13) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Known for | Stranger Things |
Jake Connelly (born 2012) is an American actor.[1] He is known for his role as Derek Turnbow in the fifth and final season of the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things.[2]
Early life
[edit]Jake Connelly was born in 2012.[1] He was raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.[2] As of 2025, he attends middle school in the Chicago area.[2] Connelly plays American football on his school team as a right tackle on the offensive line and on the inside defense.[2] He is a fan of the Chicago Bears.[2]
Prior to being cast in Stranger Things, Connelly was a fan of the Netflix series.[3] He watched the show with his family when the fourth season was released.[4]
Career
[edit]Connelly began acting several years before his television debut.[2] His first acting roles were in commercials for Feldco Windows directed by a family friend.[2] His only credit prior to Stranger Things was a short film titled Between the Silence.[5][6]
In July 2024, Connelly was cast in the fifth season of Stranger Things.[7][8] He received the call confirming he had won the role while sheltering in his basement during a tornado warning.[2] To keep his casting a secret, he told his schoolmates that he was filming a documentary about mayonnaise.[2]
Connelly portrays Derek Turnbow.[9] The character is introduced as a bully who torments Holly Wheeler, but later becomes an ally to the protagonists.[5][10] He appears in the first volume of the season, which was released in November 2025.[11]
Filmography
[edit]Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes/Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Stranger Things | Derek Turnbow | Season 5[11] |
Short film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Between the Silence | Jakub | [6] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Ray, Alyssa (November 7, 2025). "How Millie Bobby Brown Welcomed 'Stranger Things' Newcomer Jake Connelly Into the Fold". TheWrap. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Who Plays Derek in Stranger Things 5 Volume 1? Meet 13-Year-Old Jake Connelly". Teen Vogue. November 27, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Nhundu, Kimberly (November 28, 2025). "How old is Stranger Things season 5 star Jake Connelly?". MSN. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Nhundu, Kimberly; Toua, Myriam (November 27, 2025). "Stranger Things Season 5 star Jake Connelly - all you need to know about the new character". The Irish Star. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b O'Keefe, Meghan (November 26, 2025). "'Stranger Things' 5's Most Unlikely Hero? "Dipsh*t" Derek Turnbow". Decider. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b Nhundu, Kimberly (November 27, 2025). "Who plays Derek Turnbow in Stranger Things 5? Jake Connelly's age and past roles". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Napier, Caitlin (2025). "Meet The New Cast Taking Over 'Stranger Things' Season 5". Marie Claire. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Moore, Julia (November 27, 2025). "Stranger Things Season 5's New Characters: See Who Joins for the Final Chapter". People. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Hatchett, Keisha (November 27, 2025). "Stranger Things 5 Cast Guide: New Characters, Siblings, Backstories, DnD Classes, and More". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Colburn, Randall (November 25, 2025). "See who's joining the Stranger Things cast for its fifth and final season". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b "Stranger Things Season 5 Cast & Characters: Here's Who Plays Holly, Derek, and More". Teen Vogue. November 26, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.