Summary (tl;dr)

Brett Gelman is currently trending due to the highly anticipated release of Stranger Things Season 5, in which he plays Murray Bauman, coupled with renewed calls for a boycott of the show stemming from his outspoken support for Israel.

Essential Background

Brett Gelman is an American actor and comedian known for his roles in popular series like Fleabag and particularly as Murray Bauman in Netflix's Stranger Things. In late 2023, following the October 7 attacks, Gelman became a vocal supporter of Israel, posting messages on social media, visiting the country, and appearing in an Israeli comedy sketch. This stance led to public backlash and calls for boycotts, which also affected his book tour in early 2024 when several events were canceled due to protest-related security concerns.

The Full Story

Brett Gelman is trending now as the first episodes of Stranger Things Season 5, the final season of the globally popular Netflix series, were released on November 26, 2025. Gelman attended the Season 5 World Premiere in Hollywood, California, on November 6, 2025, and a UK special screening in London on November 13, 2025, drawing attention to his involvement in the show. Concurrently, anti-Israel activists have intensified calls for a boycott of the new season, specifically targeting Gelman and co-star Noah Schnapp due to their public pro-Israel views. These boycott efforts are gaining traction online as the final season begins its rollout, making Gelman a prominent topic of discussion.

Why It Matters

The trending status of Brett Gelman highlights the intersection of celebrity, geopolitical events, and fan culture. The calls for a boycott against Stranger Things due to the political stances of its actors test the influence of social media activism on major entertainment franchises. For fans, it forces a decision between their enjoyment of a beloved series and their alignment with political boycotts. The situation also underscores the challenges celebrities face when expressing personal political views, especially concerning highly sensitive international conflicts.

Geographic Location

• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (Brett Gelman attended Stranger Things Season 5 World Premiere)
• London, England, United Kingdom (Brett Gelman attended Stranger Things Season 5 UK Special Screening)
• Israel (Brett Gelman visited and expressed support)
• West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, United States (Book Soup canceled a book event for Brett Gelman)
• San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, United States (Book Passage canceled a book event for Brett Gelman)
• Winnetka, Cook County, Illinois, United States (The Book Stall canceled a book event for Brett Gelman)