“Stranger Things” Final Season Production Updates and Spin-Off Premiere

The creators of the spine-chilling series “Stranger Things” are gearing up for the commencement of filming for the show’s ultimate season. 

According to reports from Variety, the highly anticipated fifth and final season is slated to begin production in early January. 

However, this start date remains tentative, delayed for over seven months due to strikes involving WGA and SAG-AFTRA.

Returning Cast and Notable Additions:

The ensemble cast is confirmed to reprise their roles for this conclusive season. 

Expect the return of Noah Schnapp, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gates Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, and Priah Ferguson. Additionally, ‘Terminator’ icon Linda Hamilton is set to join the cast for Season 5.

Directorial Updates and Season 5 Teasers:

Director Dan Trachtenberg, known for ‘Prey’ and ’10 Cloverfield Lane,’ is reported to helm at least one episode alongside the series’ regular directors, the Duffer brothers, and Shawn Levy, who also serves as an executive producer. 

Shawn Levy teased that Season 5 will deliver “major, major cinematic storytelling,” promising a scale comparable to blockbuster films.

Release Expectations and Spin-Off Stage Play:

Anticipate a longer wait for the release of Season 5, with predictions suggesting it won’t premiere before 2025. 

However, fans can delve into the “Stranger Things” universe sooner with ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow.’ This stage play, set in 1959 in Hawkins, Indiana, explores the origins of key characters from the series. 

It will debut at London’s West End’s Phoenix Theater on December 14. The script, penned by ‘Stranger Things’ writer Kate Trefry, is based on an original story by the Duffer brothers, Jack Thorne and Trefry, as reported by Variety.