Before she was Sarah Cameron, the kook-turned-pogue princess of the Cut, Madelyn Cline was just another face in the background of Hawkins, Indiana. If you’re a die-hard Outer Banks fan, you’ve probably spent hours scouring the internet to find every credit on her resume. Honestly, it's kinda wild how many massive stars actually started as "extras" or minor characters in the Duffer Brothers’ universe.
You’ve likely seen the screenshots. A girl with blonde hair, dressed in full 1980s gear, looking remarkably like the star we know today. But wait. Was she actually a main character? Did she have lines? Most people get the Madelyn Cline Stranger Things role totally wrong, assuming she was a long-lost Wheeler cousin or a secret member of the Hellfire Club.
She wasn't.
The Role of Tina Explained
Madelyn Cline played a character named Tina in Stranger Things Season 2.
If that name doesn't immediately ring a bell, don't feel bad. Tina wasn't part of the core "Party" with Mike, Dustin, and the gang. She was a popular high schooler, one of those background "cool kids" who mostly existed to flesh out the world of Hawkins High. You mainly see her hanging out with Carol and Vicki—the girls who were absolutely obsessed with Billy Hargrove the second his blue Camaro roared into the parking lot.
Cline appears in two episodes: "MADMAX" and "Trick or Treat, Freak."
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The biggest moment for the Madelyn Cline Stranger Things role happens at her house. Tina is the one who throws the massive Halloween bash in Season 2. You know the one—the party where Nancy Wheeler gets "bullshit" drunk and tells Steve Harrington that their relationship is a sham. While Nancy is having a total meltdown in the bathroom, Madelyn Cline is literally in the background, fully committed to an iconic 80s Madonna "Like a Virgin" costume.
Why You Probably Didn't Recognize Her
It’s basically a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it situation. In 2017, Madelyn wasn't the household name she is now. She was 19 years old, working as a recurring guest star or day player on various Southeast-filmed productions.
She had dark blonde hair and a very specific "80s mean girl" vibe that completely masks the sun-kissed, salt-water look she sports in Outer Banks. Plus, the show was so focused on the love triangle between Nancy, Steve, and Jonathan (and the introduction of Max and Billy) that secondary students like Tina were just there for atmosphere.
Interestingly, there’s a bit of a "Tina" confusion in the Stranger Things fandom.
- Tina (Madelyn Cline): The high schooler from Season 2 who threw the party.
- Tina (Erica’s Friend): A character mentioned in Season 3 as one of Erica Sinclair's friends who helps her cover for her whereabouts.
Since Erica is much younger, these are definitely two different characters. It’s just a funny coincidence of the writing room.
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From Hawkins High to the Pogue Life
The transition from a minor Madelyn Cline Stranger Things role to a Netflix leading lady happened faster than a demogorgon attack. After her stint in Hawkins, she landed small parts in The Originals and the film Boy Erased. But it was 2020 that changed everything.
When Outer Banks premiered during the pandemic, it became a global phenomenon. Suddenly, the girl who was handing out Halloween party flyers in Hawkins was the face of the biggest show on streaming.
Fans often look back at her Stranger Things role as a "Easter egg." It’s proof of the "Netflix Pipeline"—the streamer's uncanny ability to find young talent in small roles and eventually give them their own series. Her OBX co-star (and ex) Chase Stokes actually had a similar start; he appeared very briefly in Stranger Things Season 1 as a guy named Reed who yells a rude comment at Nancy from a car.
Could Tina Ever Return?
With Stranger Things Season 5 being the final chapter, fans love to speculate about which old faces might show up. Hawkins is basically a war zone now. The "Upside Down" has literally bled into the real world.
Would Tina, the popular girl who just wanted to dance to Madonna, still be in town?
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Probably not. Most of the older kids would have graduated and left for college by the time the "Vance-pocalypse" started. And let’s be real: Madelyn Cline is a massive movie star now. Between Glass Onion and her upcoming horror projects, she's likely a bit too busy to return for a five-second background cameo.
Still, it’s a fun piece of trivia. It shows that even in a show as massive as Stranger Things, every background character is played by someone with a story—and sometimes, that person is a future superstar.
Quick Facts on Madelyn's Hawkins Stint
- Character Name: Tina
- Episodes: Season 2, Episode 1 and Episode 2
- Most Famous Scene: Hosting the Halloween party where Nancy and Steve break up
- Costume: Madonna's "Like a Virgin" look
If you're doing a rewatch of Season 2 before the final season drops, keep your eyes peeled during the high school scenes. When Billy Hargrove is doing his "tough guy" walk through the hallway, look for the girls giggling in the background. That’s her.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see more of Madelyn's early work beyond her Madelyn Cline Stranger Things role, check out her three-episode arc as Jessica on The Originals (Season 4). It’s a much more substantial performance where she actually gets to play with supernatural themes before she traded vampires for treasure hunting on the coast.