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Everything we know about the 'Stranger Things' play — and every other spin-off in the works

Palmer Haasch   

Everything we know about the 'Stranger Things' play — and every other spin-off in the works
  • Netflix and the Duffer Brothers have a few "Stranger Things" spin-offs in the works.
  • They include a spin-off series, animated series, and stage play.

"Stranger Things," the science fiction juggernaut that's one of Netflix's biggest hits of all time, is finally coming to an end — the main story, at least.

Before "Stranger Things" season four was released in the summer of 2022, Netflix and series showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer announced that the show's fifth season will be its last. With production on the show halted due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, it may be a little while before we see the series' conclusion.

But while "Stranger Things" may be ending, the Duffers and Netflix are continuing to flesh out its vivid world through a series of spin-off projects that span a variety of mediums, including a stage play.

Here's everything that we know about the "Stranger Things" play and every other spin-off project currently in the works.

'Stranger Things' play

A stage production, titled "Stranger Things: The First Shadow," is set to open on the West End in London this November. Written by Kate Trefry and based on an original story by Trefry, the Duffer Brothers, and Jack Thorne, the play takes place in 1959 in Hawkins, Indiana — prior to the catastrophe that eventually unfolded into "Stranger Things."

Per the show's website, it includes familiar, albeit younger, characters: there's Jim Hopper (played by David Harbour in the Netflix Series), Bob Newby (Sean Astin on Netflix), and Joyce Maldonado, known to us as Winona Ryder's Joyce Byers. It'll also feature Henry Creel — a.k.a. Vecna — a new student in Hawkins after his family moves there.

The production announced its cast in September, starring Oscar Lloyd as Hopper, Isabella Pappas as Joyce, and Chris Buckley as Bob. Patrick Vaill will play Dr. Brenner, while Louis McCarthy will play Henry Creel. The show will also include characters like Patty Newby (Ella Karuna Williams), and Henry's parents Victor (played by Robert Englund in the Netflix series, and Mike Jibson in the stage play) and Virginia (played by Tyner Rushing in the Netflix series, and Lauren Word in the stage play).

"The beginning of the Stranger Things story might hold the key to what comes next," a teaser for the play reads.

Previews for the show begin on November 17, with the production opening on December 14. Tickets are currently on sale for performances through August 25, 2024 at the Phoenix Theater in London.

'Stranger Things' spin-off show

The Duffer Brothers announced with the creation of their production company Upside Down Pictures that they would also be producing a "Stranger Things" spin-off for Netflix.

The creators have been tight-lipped about the focus of the spin-off, with the exception of "Stranger Things" star Finn Wolfhard, who happened to guess what the new show was about by chance. The brothers did, however, say on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast in July 2022 that the spin-off will be "1000% different" from "Stranger Things." And while it'll share some "connective tissue" with the original series, the Duffers confirmed it won't follow one of the show's familiar characters.

While the brothers created the idea on which the spin-off will be based, Matt Duffer said on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast that they hope to "pass the baton to someone else" while still being "very involved" in the project.

'Stranger Things' animated series

The Duffer Brothers announced in April that they would executive produce a "Stranger Things" cartoon series at Netflix under the Upside Down Pictures banner, in addition to Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen under 21 Laps and Eric Robles ("Fanboy & Chum Chum," "Glitch Techs") under Flying Bark Productions.

"We've always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things in the vein of the Saturday morning cartoons that we grew up loving, and to see this dream realized has been absolutely thrilling," the Duffers said in a statement published by Tudum.

"We couldn't be more blown away by what Eric Robles and his team have come up with — the scripts and artwork are incredible, and we can't wait to share more with you! The adventure continues…" the brothers said.

Past that, there aren't any details regarding cast, plot, or a timeline for the series.



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