We’ve known for a while that season 2 of Netflix’s Stranger Things was going to draw inspiration from some of the great sequels of the 80’s. Just a little while ago, they announced that they have gone and cast someone from one of the best. Along with the announcement that Sean Astin (Goonies, LOTR, 24) would be joining the cast, we are also hearing that actor/ comedian Paul Reiser is set for a role in season two of the show. While Reiser is best known for his sitcom roles in Mad about You and My Two Dads, he is also famous to sci-fi fans as the slimy human antagonist in Aliens. They’ll be joined by Danish actress Linnea Berthelsen.

EW is giving us some small details about the new characters:

Linnea Berthelsen: Roman – “an emotionally damaged, magnetic young woman who suffered a great loss as a child. Although she does not live in Hawkins, she is mysteriously connected to the supernatural events at the lab.”
Sean Astin: Bob Newby – “a kindhearted former nerd who went to high school with Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour) and now manages the local Hawkins RadioShack.”
Paul Reiser: Dr. Owens – “a high-ranking member within the Department of Energy on a ‘clean-up’ assignment, tasked with containing the events of last year.

Given that the show creators have cited James Cameron’s Aliens as one of their big influences in the second season, it’s great to see that they’ve been able to cast Reiser as what will no doubt be another asshole with a hidden agenda.