A resident of Hawkins, Tina is one of the many supporting characters in Stranger Things, but who is she and who plays her in the Netflix show?

While the stars of Strangers Things are undoubtedly the group of adolescents introduced in season 1, supporting characters like Tina add depth to the story. Stranger Things is the hit Netflix series set in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana where a group of preteen friends are dragged into a conspiracy involving their telekinetic new friend Eleven and a dangerous parallel dimension known as the "Upside Down". But the kids aren’t the only ones affected by the strange events, as the older Stranger Things teenagers are also important, as they too become wrapped up in the mystery, fighting extradimensional monsters while dealing with all the drama of high school.

Stranger Things is one of the most successful streaming series by viewership and critical acclaim. The series has earned nominations across the Primetime Emmys, Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Golden Globes, and more. Season 4 still holds the record of the most-watched English language Netflix series within the first 28 days (via Forbes). One of the reasons Stranger Things has become so popular is the way it examines teenagers and the struggles that come with growing up, having friends, and falling in love. Tina is not examined as deeply as others, but she still provides a window into the larger world beyond the main Stranger Things characters.

Tina Is A Popular Hawkins High Student In Stranger Things Season 2

Tina is in the Hawkins High School popular clique and was first seen standing with Carol Perkins and Vicki Carmichael in the parking lot when Billy Hargrove rolled up in Stranger Things season 2, episode 1 "Chapter One: MADMAX". She is immediately taken by the new student and even makes a raunchy comment about his body. Later, Tina hands out flyers for her Halloween party, where she dresses up like Madonna in her “Like a Virgin” era. This is the last time Tina appears in the series but as nearly every death in the show is accounted for, it’s safe to assume Tina is alive and (somewhat) well in Hawkins.

Madelyn Cline Plays Tina In Stranger Things

Madelyn Cline wasn’t a big star when she appeared briefly in season 2 of Stranger Things as Tina, but she has since gone on to play more high-profile roles. Cline notably stars in the popular Netflix teen drama Outer Banks as Sarah Cameron. Unlike Tina, who seems to be more interested in being popular and partying, Sarah is a much more rebellious and individualistic character, more similar to Nancy Wheeler. Instead of only sticking with “her kind”, the wealthy Kooks, she makes friends with the working-class people on the island, the Pogues, as well.

Cline also appeared in the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Murder Mystery cast as Whiskey, Duke’s girlfriend and assistant on his Twitch channel. Whiskey is a little closer to Tina on Stranger Things as they both enjoy parties, drinking, and are drawn to muscular men. However, Whiskey and Tina's similarities are only surface-level, and Cline plays the former as a more mature, self-aware woman who isn’t afraid to look out for herself.