As creators Matt and Ross Duffer discussed in their interviews for Variety’s October 15 cover story, the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” aims to tie up all unresolved narratives and character developments. Matt Duffer remarked, “We execute every concept we had for the Demogorgons, Mind Flayer, Vecna, the Upside Down, Hawkins, and these characters. This story is complete. It’s finished.”
This definitive conclusion raises interest in the upcoming “Stranger Things” spinoff, which was first revealed in the summer of 2022 following the release of “Stranger Things 4.” The spinoff will diverge from the main characters and will not extend the overarching story established in the original series, unlike how the “Star Wars” series has developed on Disney+.
“It’s fundamentally different from something like ‘Star Wars,’” Matt explained. “It doesn’t function in that way.” Instead, the spinoff will maintain the show’s unique “brand” and “style of storytelling” focusing on adventure-driven elements and sci-fi/fantasy without complicating the narrative further into an intricate mythology.
Ross added regarding the main spinoff idea and future concepts: “They’ll exist in a somewhat different universe. Although there will be some connections, it’s almost like an anthology format. We’re not ‘Star Wars.’ We can’t just say, ‘Now we’re on this planet.’”
“You get confined too much,” Matt noted. “It becomes frustrating from a storytelling standpoint.”
While developing the spinoff alongside “Stranger Things 5,” Matt stated, “It’s been incredibly enjoyable. Starting fresh with new characters feels like a blank canvas. There are no constraints, and that’s liberating.”
He went on, “The goal is to create something meaningful, not just for the sake of making another show. Netflix has shown remarkable patience, although I did sense that their patience might be fading now that the show is nearing its conclusion. However, they’ve been supportive.”
Ross confirmed the Duffers’ involvement, saying they will be “deeply creatively engaged” in the spinoff process, although they won’t assume the role of showrunners, as they embark on their new chapter with their Paramount deal. “We’re hopeful of writing and directing new projects in the meantime,” he remarked.
In an interview about the spinoff, Netflix’s chief creative officer Bela Bajaria expressed keen interest, stating, “What have they shared? I know they’re dedicated to doing the show and its title justice; it’s not merely about making another version.”
The Duffers have kept the specifics of the new series under wraps. Bajaria shared, “They’ve contemplated this for quite a while, and I’m very eager to see what emerges, although I’m still in the dark!”
There’s no fixed timeline for the spinoff yet, but Bajaria humorously added, “I’d always welcome more ‘Stranger Things.’ We’ll be ready when they are.”
While Netflix and the Duffers have plans for more “Stranger Things,” the animated spinoff titled “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85,” led by showrunner Eric Robles (creator of the Nickelodeon series “Fanboy & Chum Chum”), was presented at the Annecy Animation Festival in June. This series originated from the Duffers’ nostalgia for cartoons based on beloved films, such as ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Ghostbusters.’ They envisioned delivering a “throwback” feel of those shows in a modern context—mirroring the live-action series’ nod to classic 1980s films by Steven Spielberg and Stephen King.
Although a release date hasn’t been set yet, the Duffers mentioned they had watched a completed episode. Matt praised Robles, saying, “He truly captured the essence of the show.” The animation style draws parallels to Netflix’s Emmy-winning series “Arcane,” but is “less costly than ‘Arcane,’” Ross added.
Matt shared, “One advantage is that the kids can remain eternally youthful. We’ve set it during their perfect Season 2 age.”
If “Tales from ’85” or the spinoff series garners success, then “Stranger Things” could indeed continue thriving on Netflix.
Shawn Levy, an executive producer and director of the main series, will also have a role in whatever follows next. He expressed, “I’m thrilled at the prospect of extending the storytelling legacy of ‘Stranger Things’—I won’t call it a ‘universe,’ as that would be pretentious,” he remarked, then paused. “The ‘STU’? Too corny? Oh, I know you’re going to use that!”
There seems to be some deliberation regarding what to label the expanded universe of “Stranger Things.” Matt posed the rhetorical question, “What term captures it without sounding lame—a universe? A franchise?”
Ross offered, “How about ‘Strangerverse’? I’m not sure.”
