Which character is played by Cara Buono in "Stranger Things"?

Cara Buono plays Karen Wheeler in "Stranger Things." Karen is the mother of Nancy, Mike, and Holly Wheeler and the wife of Ted Wheeler, making her one of the show's main Hawkins parents.

Karen first appears as a conventional 1980s suburban mother, often concerned with family routines while strange events unfold around her. Unlike Nancy and Mike, she is initially unaware of the Upside Down, the monsters, and the secret experiments connected to Hawkins National Laboratory.

Her character becomes more prominent in Season 3, when she briefly considers a relationship with Billy Hargrove after meeting him at the community pool. She ultimately backs away after recognizing the importance of her family. Karen is sometimes confused with other Hawkins mothers, especially Joyce Byers, but Joyce is played by Winona Ryder. Cara Buono is also known for roles in "The Sopranos" and "Mad Men."