Stranger Things actor Cara Buono has revealed a behind-the-scenes moment that set the tone for her now-iconic flirtation scene with co-star Dacre Montgomery.
The exchange between their characters, Karen Wheeler and Billy Hargrove, became one of Season 2’s most talked-about moments – and according to Buono, the chemistry audiences saw was there from the very beginning.
In a resurfaced 2017 interview with Glamour, Buono admitted that she snapped a photo of Montgomery the very first day they met at the cast read-through.
“He was just so charming and handsome and lovely,” she said. “So I said, ‘I just want a picture to commemorate this moment.’ I didn’t know what they were planning… they tell you things are going to happen one way and then they save it for another season.”
The Viral Flirtation Scene Nearly Broke the Cast
Buono said she was caught off guard when she finally received the script featuring the now-famous kitchen encounter between Karen and Billy.
“When the scene came up, I thought, This is very interesting going on with Karen Wheeler! It was just a lot of fun to shoot it. We all tried not to laugh,” she recalled.
Cara Buono and Dacre Montgomery. Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media/Getty Images.
She didn’t hold back on her praise for Montgomery either: “Dacre is a phenomenal actor and very, very sexy.”
The moment went on to become one of the most memorable scenes of the season, earning both actors praise for their comedic timing and surprising chemistry.
Executive Producer Says Montgomery Was Cast Instantly
Dacre Montgomery’s performance as Billy made him an instant standout. Executive producer Shawn Levy later admitted that the Australian actor won the role almost immediately after sending in his audition tape.
“We feel like Dacre was genetically engineered to be a heartthrob,” Levy said. “We saw his tape from Australia, and in three lines we were texting each other: ‘He’s Billy. Book him right now.’”
Montgomery Worked to Humanize the “Awful” Billy
While Billy arrived in Hawkins as a swaggering antagonist, Montgomery worked behind the scenes to give him depth.
“Humanizing the antagonist is the best thing to do for the character,” he said, referencing the emotional scenes involving Billy’s abusive father.
Sadie Sink, who played Billy’s stepsister Max, agreed that seeing Billy’s home life changed how viewers perceived him.
“Once you see his dad, you’re like, ‘They’re both awful human beings,’” she said. “It’s a sad family situation.”
Why the Chemistry Worked So Well
Buono’s early photo of Montgomery – and her first impression of him – set the stage long before cameras rolled. Their instant rapport helped turn a short comedic moment into a fan-favorite interaction that many hoped would be revisited in later seasons.
Cara Buono. Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images.
Even Shawn Levy noted that some of the scene’s electricity came from Montgomery’s improvised choices - like the infamous cookie-grab that wasn’t in the script.
Although fans speculated about a possible romance storyline for Billy, Montgomery hinted even back then that something “far more sinister” was coming for his character.
Still, the off-screen connection between Buono and Montgomery remains a standout example of how unexpected chemistry can transform a single scene into Stranger Things legend.
As for Stranger Things? The latest (and final) season has just landed on Netflix.