Joe Keery Pep Talked Joe Quinn Through His Stranger Things American Accent

Even casual fans of Stranger Things know that Steve “The Hair” Harrington is the dad of the Hawkins, Indiana, Scooby Gang. He’s served as mentor and role model to the group’s younger members, especially Dustin, ever since he began enlightening the young padawans on proper hair product protocol back in Season 2.

And in a bit of life imitating art, it looks like actor Joe Keery is as comfortable taking on the dad/mentor role on the Stranger Things set as his character Steve is on the show.

Joseph Quinn, the British actor who has skyrocketed to American stardom after his scene-stealing turn as metalhead Eddie Munson in Season 4 of the show, discussed his friendship with Hawkins’ resident role model in a recent interview on the Off Menu podcast.

On the podcast, hosts Ed Gamble and James Acaster questioned Quinn about crafting his pitch-perfect American accent. And the Brit admitted to feeling insecure about mastering the Yankee lilt.

“You feel like a sociopath,” the London native confessed. “After a while, I was so far down the rabbit hole, at points I’d be like, ‘Do I sound good? Do you like this? Do you like what I’m doing?'”

And like Dustin before him, Quinn turned to the Hawkins Hair Daddy himself for some perspective. “I was talking to Joe Keery, and at one point I was so deep in it,” Quinn said, “and he was like ‘Dude, I can’t save you, but I promise you, it’s gonna be fine.'”

It was more than fine, actually. Quinn’s American accent was seamless, and his overall performance was charming and endearing enough to make Eddie a fan favorite, and a favorite of the show’s creators, the Duffer brothers. The Duffers enjoyed Quinn’s Eddie so much, they (spoiler alert) almost regretted not having the hellraising headbanger around for Season 5.

Rock In Peace, Eddie. Steve Harrington’s work here is done.