Sean Astin may have won us over as Bob Newby in Stranger Things 2, but it turns out the actor originally didn’t audition to play Joyce’s lovable new boyfriend.

Sean Astin recently caught up with Variety to talk about his role in the newest season of Netflix’s runaway sci-fi hit. In the interview, the actor revealed that he originally auditioned for the role of reporter Murray Bauman.

“[After the audition] I got a call right away saying they thought it was fantastic, but they actually think you’re more right for another character, Bob,” explained Astin. “I went back the next day and auditioned again for 10 minutes, and then I got a call saying they loved me for it.”

As fans who’ve watched Stranger Things 2 know all too well, the role of Murray eventually went to actor Brett Gelman, who perfectly portrayed the guy hired to bring justice to Barb once and for all.

As interesting as it might have been to see Astin play the slightly neurotic reporter, we’re definitely glad the Duffer Brothers realized what he could bring to Bob’s character.

For his part, Astin was just happy to be part of a series he’d fallen in love with just like so many fans who found themselves binge watching the first installment of Stranger Things.

It’s an added bonus that fans took such a liking to Bob after they experienced Stranger Things 2, something that Astin says means the world to him.

“The positive response to Bob has been heartwarming for me, but it also kind of forced me to think about what it was that they liked so much,” continued Astin. “And what I’ve kind of appreciated way more after watching the response is how much people want and need for there to be nice, decent people in the world.”

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