Netflix has announced a spin-off series to “Stranger Things.” “Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure” is slated to premiere in 2028, as the streaming service revealed on Friday during the annual “Stranger Things Day.” The new series is set in the 1950s, placing it chronologically before the original series and the theatre production “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”
A short teaser sets up the prequel: A bicycle with a radio mounted on the handlebars lies on the ground, the camera pans to a fence bearing a warning sign about a restricted area, and then into the dark evening sky, where a loud explosion erupts. The date April 19, 1955 appears with the town marker Marion in Nevada.
Direct link | Teaser for the spin-off series
|
“It’s Stranger Things, but at the same time wonderfully new, with new locations, new heroes and villains and new well, we can’t reveal more just yet,” explained series co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer. “Now it’s time to start casting. Until then: Keep your eyes on the sky, nerds!”
New characters, new city, new world, new mythology
Even after the show’s finale, the brothers hinted that the spin-off with a completely new cast would offer “new characters, new city, new world, new mythology” but would also answer some open questions from the parent series (TheColu.mn reported).
In addition to the Duffers, Kate Trefry serves as co-creator, showrunner, and writer. She previously penned the Olivier- and Tony Award-winning stage production “The First Shadow,” which tells the backstory of the villain Vecna. British director Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Darkest Hour”) will direct the first three episodes, with filming taking place in New Mexico.
Big coming-out in the last season
The original series ran from 2016 to 2025 across five seasons, following a group of teens in the fictional town of Hawkins. For the LGBTQ community, the final season carried particular significance: In an emotional moment in the penultimate episode, Will Byers comes out to his family and friends and confesses his feelings for his best friend Mike. He finds courage in part through Robin, who is dating her girlfriend (TheColu.mn reported).
The moment also drew backlash: Elon Musk called the storyline “completely unnecessary,” and a right-wing online crowd flooded the show with homophobic comments and negative reviews (TheColu.mn reported). In March, “Stranger Things” was honored at the GLAAD Media Awards as Outstanding Drama Series. Will actor Noah Schnapp accepted the award, having publicly come out as gay in 2023 (TheColu.mn reported).
According to Netflix, seasons one through four amassed more than 1.2 billion views. The fifth season delivered the streaming service the strongest premiere week for an English-language title. The series also brought back classic hits like Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” and Prince’s “Purple Rain” to the charts.
