If you watched Stranger Things Season 5 and found yourself wondering, “Who is that kid everyone keeps calling Dipshit Derek?”, you’re definitely not alone. Derek Turnbow quickly became one of those characters who’s hard to ignore. He’s rude, loud, funny, and honestly a little annoying at first.
The dipshit derek actor is Jake Connelly, a young Chicago-area actor who plays Derek Turnbow in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. What makes his casting interesting is that Derek reportedly started as a fairly simple bully character, but Connelly’s personality and performance convinced the Duffer Brothers to expand the role.
Who Is the Dipshit Derek Actor?
The actor behind Derek Turnbow is Jake Connelly. He plays the foul-mouthed school bully who spends much of the early part of Season 5 bothering Holly Wheeler and other children.
Derek is introduced as a spoiled and unpleasant kid, which explains the nickname “Dipshit Derek.” But there’s more to him than the first impression suggests. Once the supernatural danger in Hawkins becomes impossible to ignore, Derek gets pulled into the bigger fight involving Vecna and the children.
Jake Connelly was only 13 when the fifth season came out, according to WTTW, and he was a relatively new actor when he landed the role. Before Stranger Things, he had only a small acting credit in the short film Between the Silence.
Jake Connelly Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Jake Connelly |
| Known For | Derek Turnbow in Stranger Things |
| Character Nickname | Dipshit Derek / Delightful Derek |
| Profession | Actor |
| Breakthrough Role | Stranger Things Season 5 |
| Early Acting Credit | Between the Silence |
Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow
From Bully to Unexpected Hero
One of the best things about Derek is that his character doesn’t stay exactly where you expect him to.
At first, he’s basically the kid nobody wants around. He teases Holly, acts disrespectfully toward adults, and has absolutely no filter. But when Vecna becomes a threat to him and the other children, Derek is forced to see the world differently.
And that’s where Jake Connelly gets a chance to show more range.
Netflix Tudum reported that Matt Duffer originally viewed Derek as a fairly generic bully. After meeting Connelly, however, the creators felt the young actor was too charming and funny to keep the character small. His role gradually grew throughout the season.
That’s a pretty impressive break for a young actor.
Why Fans Remember “Dipshit Derek”
Derek has a strange combination of qualities. He’s obnoxious, but funny. He can be selfish, but he also becomes useful when the situation gets serious.
His transformation into “Delightful Derek” is one of the character’s funniest running jokes. Joyce encourages him to become a better version of himself, while Derek still manages to keep his sarcastic personality and sharp mouth.
The nickname even became part of the character’s identity. TVMaze lists both “Dipshit Derek” and “Delightful Derek” as aliases for Derek Turnbow and confirms that Jake Connelly plays the character.
Jake Connelly’s Experience on Stranger Things
A Big Opportunity for a Young Actor
Getting a role in the final season of one of Netflix’s biggest shows is a pretty remarkable opportunity, especially for someone still early in his career.
Connelly has spoken about being a fan of Stranger Things before joining the cast. Netflix’s behind-the-scenes material shows him discussing how much he enjoyed the series before eventually auditioning for the role of Derek.
That must have been a surreal jump — watching the show as a fan and then suddenly walking onto the Hawkins set yourself.
WTTW also reported that Connelly was born in the Chicago area and had been acting before his Stranger Things breakthrough, although his résumé was still relatively short when he joined the series.
What Makes Jake Connelly’s Performance Stand Out?
The dipshit derek actor works because he doesn’t make Derek feel like a completely one-note bully.
There’s a comic rhythm to the character. His blunt responses, ridiculous confidence, and awkward behavior give the scenes a different energy. Then, when the story gets darker, Connelly gets to play Derek’s fear and uncertainty too.
That change is important. If Derek had remained nothing more than an irritating school bully, viewers probably wouldn’t have cared much about him. Instead, the character slowly becomes someone the audience wants to see survive.
It’s a classic Stranger Things move, really: take a character who seems like a joke and give him a reason to matter.
What Happens to Derek in Season 5?
Derek becomes connected to Vecna’s plans after being targeted alongside Holly and other children. The group eventually realizes that protecting him is part of the larger fight.
He’s kidnapped by the group so they can keep him away from the supernatural threat, and his attitude gradually changes after he understands that the danger is real. He later helps the others in their efforts to protect the children and fight back.
By the end of the story, Derek has moved a long way from the kid everyone called “Dipshit Derek.”
And yes, the “Delightful Derek” joke sticks.
Final Thoughts
Jake Connelly made a surprisingly memorable impression as Derek Turnbow. What began as a rough, obnoxious school bully turned into a much more entertaining character, partly because Connelly brought enough personality to make the role bigger than it originally seemed.
If you searched for the dipshit derek actor, the answer is simple: Jake Connelly plays Derek Turnbow in Stranger Things Season 5.
For a young actor with a relatively small résumé before the series, it’s a pretty huge introduction to a worldwide audience. And honestly, turning “Dipshit Derek” into “Delightful Derek” is a fun way to leave Hawkins.
FAQs
Who plays Dipshit Derek in Stranger Things?
Jake Connelly plays Derek Turnbow, the character nicknamed “Dipshit Derek,” in Stranger Things Season 5.
What is Dipshit Derek’s real name?
His character’s full name is Derek Turnbow. “Dipshit Derek” is a nickname used for him by the other characters.
Is Jake Connelly a new actor?
Jake Connelly was still early in his acting career when he joined Stranger Things. Before the show, he had a small role in the short film Between the Silence.
Does Derek become a good character?
Yes. Derek starts out as a bully, but his experiences with the supernatural threat push him to help the other children. His character eventually becomes known as “Delightful Derek.”
Is Jake Connelly the same person as Derek Turnbow?
No. Jake Connelly is the actor, while Derek Turnbow is the fictional character he plays in Stranger Things.
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