Caroline Elle Abrams age may be mystery, but her pie scene in Stranger Things season 5 will make you laugh so hard you’ll almost choke

Caroline Elle Abrams brings fresh energy to Stranger Things season 5 as Tina Turnbow, the longtime best friend and now adversary of Erica Sinclair. While her screen time remains limited, the South Florida native has already left an indelible mark on fans with one of the season’s most memorable and hilarious moments. Her casting represents a classic Stranger Things pattern of introducing emerging talent in instantly unforgettable roles.

Who Is Caroline Elle Abrams?

According to IMDb, Caroline Elle Abrams started her entertainment career performing in local theater and commercials across South Florida at just five years old. This early start laid the foundation for her transition into film and television. While her exact age remains private, sources confirm she plays the 13-year-old Tina Turnbow in the final season.

Before landing her breakthrough role in Stranger Things, Abrams appeared in the short film “Just Deal With It” and voiced Kylie in R.A.D.A.R.: The Adventures of the Bionic Dog in 2023. She’s also appeared as herself in one episode of the series “Me.” Despite her limited filmography, her casting in Netflix‘s megahit show exemplifies the streaming platform’s success in recognizing young talent.

The actress maintains an active Instagram presence at @carolineelleabrams, where she regularly posts updates and behind-the-scenes content. Notably, she and Stranger Things series regular Priah Ferguson frequently tag each other in photos and reels, suggesting the two developed a genuine friendship during production.

Tina Turnbow’s Connection to the Stranger Things Universe

Tina Turnbow holds a special place in Stranger Things lore because fans first heard her name mentioned way back in season 3. Erica Sinclair casually referenced spending the night at her best friend Tina’s house before getting pulled into the Starcourt Mall chaos, creating a subtle connection that paid off two seasons later.

In season 5, however, Tina and Erica are no longer friends. Their falling out centers around a boy at school—typical teenage drama that escalates into something far more dangerous. This previous relationship becomes crucial to the plot, as Erica must manipulate her former best friend to execute a critical mission: drugging the entire Turnbow family to protect Derek Turnbow, Tina’s younger brother, from becoming Vecna’s next victim.

The character serves an essential storytelling function, grounding the supernatural horror in realistic teen dynamics. Her presence deepens Erica’s character development while simultaneously delivering what many viewers are calling the funniest scene in volume one.

The Pie Scene That Stole Hearts

Story Element	Details
The Mission	Erica must convince Tina to bring family to safety
The Plan	Drug-laced pie with hospital sedatives from Robin
The Obstacle	Tina refuses to eat the pie due to calorie concerns
The Payoff	Erica forces sedatives via needle while telling Tina “I told you to eat your pie”

Episode 3, titled “The Turnbow Trap,” features one of the season’s standout comedic moments. Erica arrives at the Turnbow house with a supposedly heartfelt apology and a homemade pie. What Tina doesn’t know is that the pie is laced with knockout drugs that Robin obtained from the hospital. The team’s plan relies on Tina eating the pie so she’ll pass out along with her family.

There’s a problem: Tina, displaying perfect teenage concern for her figure, refuses the pie because it has too many calories. When the rest of her family passes out on schedule, Erica takes matters into her own hands, pulling out a syringe and injecting Tina while delivering the line: “I told you to eat your pie.” This moment instantly became a season highlight, combining dark comedy with character development.

Caroline Elle Abrams’ Instant Impact

Abrams brings authenticity to the role with her portrayal of the “cool girl” aesthetic that dominates 1980s high school culture in the show’s fictional timeline. Despite appearing in limited scenes, her performance demonstrates the polish and professionalism expected on a major streaming platform production. Priah Ferguson, who plays Erica, has publicly praised working with Abrams, with the two bonding during filming.

The Stranger Things casting team’s success with Abrams reinforces the show’s reputation for discovering fresh talent capable of delivering memorable performances. Whether this marks the beginning of a larger career arc for the actress remains to be seen as volumes 2 and 3 release throughout the rest of December.

What Comes Next for Tina and Caroline Elle Abrams?

Stranger Things season 5 releases in three installments: volume 1 dropped November 26, 2025, volume 2 arrives December 25, 2025, and the series finale airs December 31, 2025 on Netflix. Tina Turnbow’s expanded role in upcoming episodes remains unknown, though her connection to the Turnbow family storyline suggests she may appear again.

For Caroline Elle Abrams, her breakthrough role on Stranger Things could open significant doors in Hollywood. With her impressive stage background and natural talent for comedy and drama, opportunities in other projects seem inevitable. Fans invested in Tina’s journey have already taken to social media expressing hope that her character survives the season and potentially appears in the show’s official conclusion.

Sources

• Netflix – Official Stranger Things season 5 cast guide and episode releases
• Parade Magazine – In-depth profile on Caroline Elle Abrams and the Tina Turnbow character
• Decider – Comprehensive breakdown of Tina’s role and the pie scene moment