'Stranger Things' season 3 news: Sean Astin hopeful of Bob's return via flashback

Will (Noah Schnapp), Bob (Sean Astin), and Mike (Finn Wolfhard) in "Stranger Things" season 2Netflix

Bob Newby's death was arguably the most heartbreaking part of "Stranger Things" season 2. While he died heroically, some still want to see him back next season, and it turns out, Sean Astin, who played the role, is also hopeful.

Speaking to Us Weekly, Astin admitted he was just as heartbroken as the rest of the world when a pack of Demo-dogs attacked Bob just when he seemed to have made it out to safety in the penultimate episode.

"I was a little sad," he said on the carpet at the Critics Choice Awards on Thursday, Jan. 11, in Santa Monica. "I was a little sad that that had to happen, but, ultimately, you lose good people in a noble struggle and he had a heroic demise."

The actor made it clear that there is no way his character is still alive. As he put it, "Bob is good and gone." However, Astin did say there is still a chance to see him back in "Stranger Things" season 3 if the Duffer brothers include "a little flashback or something!"

Whether or not that is on the cards remains unclear. Regardless, Astin's tenure on the show was fun while it lasted. He told the publication how much he liked working with the cast so much including the kids, calling all of them "fun and professional and smart." Among them, he got closer to Finn Wolfhard (Mike) and Noah Schnapp (Will).

"A lot of times Noah was screaming and yelling on a gurney which was extraordinary to watch his performance," Astin shared. "But Finn and I got to talk a lot. We really connected, talking about my life and my career and talking about him and what he's doing and his outlook on the world, his bright future."

Netflix has already confirmed "Stranger Things" season 3. It does not have an official release date at the moment, but David Harbour, aka Hawkins' Chief Jim Hopper, previously estimated it should return to the streaming outlet with new episodes sometime in 2019.