Stranger Things’ Dacre Montgomery shares heartbreaking throwback

He plays Billy on the hit TV show

Dacre Montgomery as Billy

by Anna Sky Hulton |
Updated on

If like us you're beyond excited to binge Stranger Things when it returns to Netflix for its fourth series on 27 May (next Friday).

SPOILERS AHEAD (although you really should've watched it by now, you've had over two years since series 3 was released...)

Dacre Montgomery's future on the show is uncertain. He plays (or played) the role of Billy, but as far as we can tell he died in the last series, meaning Dacre's future on the show is unknown (We mean, Hooper's back somehow).

At the time the third series was released Dacre shared a heartbreaking throwback photo with a caption detailing his struggles as a teenager.

Alongside an old headshot, Dacre included the caption, 'When I was a kid, I was lost. I had a really tough time in school. I was a big kid who loved drama'.

Dacre goes on to say, 'I never got passing grades, I wasn’t popular or a gifted sports player. Girls were never interested in me. I suffered from anxiety from a young age.'

Listing various things bad things that happened during his teenage years, he told of failing his exams and being fired from his job.

However, the actor ended his caption with the motivational message saying, 'I never let the failures get me down. Because I believed in myself and I never let anyone tell me otherwise. You can do anything you set your mind to. So, go out there and get it!'

Fans have been quick to comment on Dacre's photo saying, 'Wowwwwww this is so heartfelt 😭❤️thank u for this piece of inspiration', and 'This is so amazing and, heart warming!❤️ I’ve always wanted to become an actress but I’ve always felt “not good enough” or I fell like I will “ never achieve my goals” i needed this post. And I’m not going to lie, IM INSPIRED. One post can change a heart💕☺️'.

Stranger Things
Stranger Things ©Stranger Things © Netflix

Despite failing his exams and being fired from his job, things are very different now for the Australian actor, who has played the role of Billy in Stranger Things for two seasons. Billy made quite the entrance in Stranger Things 2, along with his step-sister Maxine (Max) when their family moved to Hawkins.

Although he was very much the tough guy in the second season, in the third season we got to see a softer side of Billy as he works as a lifeguard at the local swimming pool. Before the release of the new season, a clip from Billy's new job was released and caused much excitement amongst fans, followed by the final trailer for the series.

Following the release of the new season, was recently revealed how much the Stranger Things 3 cast were paid. The adult actors are reportedly paid around $350,000 from each episode, whilst the child actors are getting a huge $250,000 per episode - around £200,540 per episode.

Now take a look at facts you probably didn't know about Stranger Things:

Gallery

Facts you probably didn't know about Stranger Things

E.T. and Nightmare on Elm Street1 of 22
CREDIT: E.T. u00a9 Universal Pictures/Nightmare on Elm Street u00a9 New Line Cinema

1)

To help sell the show, the Duffers edited a mock 'trailer' combining clips from over 25 feature films, including E.T., Nightmare on Elm Street, Super 8 and Halloween.

The Guest2 of 22
CREDIT: The Guest u00a9 Picturehouse

2)

The composers of the Stranger Things soundtrack (Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon) were two members of an Austin synth band called SURVIVE; their music was featured in the soundtrack of the film The Guest.

Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein3 of 22
CREDIT: Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein u00a9 Getty Images

3)

Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon have written over 13 hours of music for the show.

WINONA RYDER IN STRANGER THINGS4 of 22
CREDIT: WINONA RYDER IN STRANGER THINGS u00a9 NETFLIX

4)

Winona Ryder wanted her hairstyle modeled after Meryl Streep's hair in Silkwood.

Alien The Goonies Altered States Superman5 of 22
CREDIT: u00a9 20th Century Fox/ u00a9 Warner Bros./

5)

The title sequence was inspired by the work of Richard Greenberg, who designed a number of classic 80s title sequences including Alien, Altered States, Superman and The Goonies - which starred a young Sean Astin, who later appeared in Stranger Things as Joyce's boyfriend Bob Newby.

Roy Orbison - A Love so Beautiful6 of 22
CREDIT: Roy Orbison u00a9 YouTube

6)

Winona Ryder and Matthew Modine (Dr. Martin Brenner) have appeared together once before, in the music video for Roy Orbison's 'A Love So Beautiful'.

Netflix Stranger Things7 of 22
CREDIT: Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) and Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) u00a9 Netflix

7)

Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) and Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) have both acted on Broadway. Gaten played Gavroche in Les Miserables and Caleb played Young Simba in The Lion King. The two boys knew each other but they didn't become close friends until after working on Stranger Things.

CHARLIE HEATON (JONATHAN BYERS) AND MILLIE BROWN (ELEVEN)8 of 22
CREDIT: CHARLIE HEATON (JONATHAN BYERS) AND MILLIE BROWN (ELEVEN) u00a9 NETFLIX

8)

Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers) and Millie Brown (Eleven) are both from the UK. Charlie is from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, and Millie is from Bournemouth, Dorset.

Stephen King/Christine Novel9 of 22
CREDIT: Stephen King u00a9 Getty / Christine u00a9 Viking

9)

To help sell the show, the Duffers created a 'look book' which was designed in the style of a vintage Stephen King novel.

Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin)10 of 22
CREDIT: Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) u00a9 Netflix

10)

Gaten's voice changed so much by the time production ended that the sound team were unable to use him for additional dialogue recording.

Finn Wolfhard (Mike) Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven)11 of 22
CREDIT: Finn Wolfhard (Mike) Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) u00a9 Netflix

11)

Although the show was shot digitally on the RED Dragon, a layer of real film grain was applied to help achieve a more vintage look.

Eleven and Lucas12 of 22
CREDIT: Eleven and Lucas u00a9 Netflix

12)

It was Caleb's request to wear a camouflage bandana in the show; he wears it for the final three episodes.

The Demogorgon Stranger Things13 of 22
CREDIT: The Demogorgon u00a9 Netflix

13)

The monster was achieved through a combination of prosthetics, animatronics, performance and CG.

Monsters Inc.14 of 22
CREDIT: Monsters Inc. u00a9 PA Images

14)

The toddlers on set were very scared by the 'monster', but they were calmed when told that he was just like the monsters in Monsters Inc.

Finn Wolfhard15 of 22
CREDIT: Finn Wolfhard u00a9 Getty Images

15)

Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, is a film buff and wants to be a director when he grows up. He is a particular fan of Sam Raimi's early work.

Eleven being lowered into a paddling pool16 of 22
CREDIT: u00a9 Netflix

16)

The gang really did create a salt bath, and Millie Bobby Brown actually floated - there were no effects used! To get Millie to float in a kiddie pool, twelve hundred pounds of epsom salt were dissolved into the water.

Will, Mike, Lucas Stranger Things17 of 22
CREDIT: u00a9 Netflix

17)

Before starting the show, the writers all watched (or rewatched) a large list of films, including E.T., Stand By Me, The Goonies, The Thing and A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Eleven played by Millie18 of 22
CREDIT: Eleven played by Millie u00a9 Netflix

18)

Millie had to shave most of her hair off for the show and as can be expected of any 11­-year-old girl this was a terrifying prospect. The Duffers showed her how cool Charlize Theron looked in Mad Max: Fury Road after which Millie agreed to it.

Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer19 of 22
CREDIT: Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer u00a9 Getty Images

19)

The Duffers had all the boys audition with scenes from Stand By Me.

Hopper and his trailer20 of 22
CREDIT: Hopper and his trailer u00a9 Netflix

20)

Hopper's trailer was purchased by the art department for $1.

Eleven submerged underwater21 of 22
CREDIT: u00a9 Netflix

21)

For some of the laboratory scenes, Millie (Eleven) was fully submerged in an underwater immersion tank. She was able to breathe by wearing a Sea Trek helmet, which weighs approximately 70 lbs above water; it weighs 15 lbs beneath the surface of the water. The helmet was designed for shallow 'underwater walking'.

Finn Wolfhard (Mike)22 of 22
CREDIT: u00a9 Netflix

22)

To direct Millie while she was underwater, the Duffers communicated with her through a small radio in her ear.

Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.

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