Jake Connelly regarded it as “a thing of dreams” to be cast in Stranger Things Season 5. The actor shared his feelings about this extraordinary experience with the host during his appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.Jake showed how surreal his experience was as he became part of the last season of a world-renowned series. For him, it was much more than an acting job because his working life before was very limited. He expressed his excitement by saying,"You know, actually when the audition came in, I could not believe it. It was the thing of dreams for me."His remarks express a mixture of enthusiasm and incredulity, implying the significance the character of Derek Turnbow holds for a young actor joining such a high-profile production.Here's the interview for your reference:Jake Connelly's backgroundJake Connelly was born in the year 2012 in Chicago. He was hardly associated with any other show before securing his role in Stranger Things. When it comes to his profile in the industry, it was basically nonexistent apart from some commercials and a minor part in Between the Silence.Despite that, verified interviews and profiles are unanimous in saying that the role of Stranger Things Season 5 is his first major acting gig, and it is surely an important milestone in his developing career. The casting of Connelly for the show has provoked some guessing, even more so, given the size and the importance of the show.Not only did the role of Stranger Things Season 5 give him a platform to display his skills, but it also put him in contact with the world audience at the very beginning of his career.Being cast as Derek Turnbow on Stranger Things View this post on Instagram Instagram PostIn the fifth season of Stranger Things, Connelly takes the role of Derek Turnbow, a character who comes in as a typical bully. The Derek character is impolite and hostile to everyone around him, including adults, and he is with Holly Wheeler in the class.At the beginning of the season, the other cast members get to call him informally as “Dipshit Derek,” which is a clear indication of his being the most annoying person. The name given to him does help trace out his part in the plot right at the start of the story, and the viewer can see that he is the one who causes the problem, and then his character arc goes to the next level.Derek Turnbow's character analysisDerek Turnbow changes during Stranger Things Season 5. Though initially portrayed as a typical bully, he then turns out to be a more complex and multi-layered character who even aids the children in hiding from Vecna. Netflix Tudum states that Matt Duffer attributed Derek's greater presence in the season: the Duffers were fascinated by his innate charm, just like the character Steve Harrington grew in earlier seasons.This official statement sheds light on the fact that Derek's narrative evolution was a result of pre-planned development based on the actor's traits rather than an improvisation.Connelly on joining the castConnelly characterized his initial days on the set as thrilling and stressful at the same time. During the Netflix Tudum interview, he revealed, "I was so nervous I literally was shaking in my boots" at the beginning of his filming activities. His remarks highlight the combination of excitement and fear that a person feels when he or she is new to a huge production.He has, however, kept a down-to-earth viewpoint, looking at the remarkable chance of being part of a mature series instead of pondering over audience reactions or effects on his career.Jake Connelly's participation in Stranger Things Season 5 marks the actor's first considerable exposure to the world of TV and his naming within the final and most dramatic chapter of the series. He plays Derek Turnbow, a bully who slowly but surely becomes a compassionate character, doing things to safeguard his little peers from Vecna's dark magic.In fact, Matt Duffer has revealed that it was Jake Connelly’s charming personality that got him cast as the part, and so he would definitely have a larger role like the character Steve Harrington (whom he was eventually likened to). However, Connelly does not hesitate to confess the whole situation and calls it “the thing of dreams,” thereby revealing his feelings of excitement and gratitude.His expressions indeed provide the audience with a plain, truthful, and empirical picture of the life of a young actor who gets featured in a series like Stranger Things.Also read: Stranger Things Season 5 Part 1: 5 questions that will keep you worried after the cliffhanger finale