Paranormal prequel: Are STRANGER THINGS what they used to be..?

Technically, today marks the annual Stranger Things Day (linked to the day that Will Byers originally went missing and started our journey through the town of Hawkins and far beyond). As such, you can usually expect some sort of news item or promotion.

This year we get the announcement that the series is coming back. Well, sort of. This is NOT the ‘Conformity-Gate‘ myth made real (where a section of fans believed – in vain – that the real finale of the main show was a fake-out and more episodes were coming). Nor does it appear to have any connection with recent sightings of some of the original cast. Instead, Netflix has ordered a prequel series set in the 1950s…

While some might cynically suggest that the platform is simply (but understandably) looking for more ways to bottle the demonic lightning and extend the cult-phenomena past its original ending (it’s already produced two ‘seasons’ of an animated Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 interlude set between the second and third seasons) the official statement says it is being made merely to satiate the fanbase.

“Stranger Things has always belonged to the fans, and their passion made it a worldwide phenomenon,” Netflix‘s Head of Scripted Series, US & Canada Jinny Howe said in a statement. “Today, on Stranger Things Day, we’re honored to partner again with Matt and Ross Duffer and [showrunner]Kate Trefry to give fans a new dimension of this universe to step into. Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure takes us to the 1950s with new heroes and all the heart, mystery, and spectacle of the original series. We’re proud to keep building this world with the Duffers, Kate, Shawn Levy, and Joe Wright, and we can’t wait for fans to see what’s next.”

The new project is a live-action production that looks set to predate the events of not only the main show but also take place before the events of the Stranger Things: The First Shadow stage play and is currently slated to debut on Netflix in 2028. “Stranger Things” writer Kate Trefry will serve as showrunner and co-creator along with the Duffer brothers, who created the original series. Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice) will direct the first three episodes.

Little else is known at the stage, though Netflix did release a creepy trailer that speaks to the tone of the production…