As fans prepare to say goodbye to Hawkins with the final season of Stranger Things, it turns out the universe itself is far from finished. Yes, Netflix has officially greenlit plans for a spin-off in the universe. And to keep things simple while you reel from the first four episodes of the new season – here's everything that's been confirmed so far in a nutshell.
Is it actually confirmed?
Sort of. After years of speculation, creators Matt and Ross Duffer have confirmed – while recently speaking on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast – that a fresh project set within the Stranger Things world is underway.
The brothers also confirmed the news to the BBC just two weeks ago, with Matt Duffer saying: "It's early days but we're excited about it. It's new characters and a new mystery, so it's different, but it will be in the same world as Stranger Things."
What will the spinoff be about?
Matt Duffer said in an October 2025 interview with Variety that the new project would standalone from the existing plot line of Stranger Things. “It’s more about starting fresh with new characters,” Duffer said. “There’s something refreshing about that. You’re not tied into a massive web of lore.”
So, anyone hoping for a direct continuation of familiar character arcs may need to reset their expectations.
“I’ve read rumours that there’s going to be an Eleven spin-off, a Steve and Dustin spin-off, or another number from the lab,” Ross Duffer said. “That’s not interesting to me because we’ve done all that.”
They've emphasised that the spin-off will share only a thin narrative connection to the flagship series, and have described the concept as “completely different” – a story that exists inside the same universe without rehashing previous mythology.
How long have they been working on it?
In an interview with Variety back in 2022, the concept was already on the cards. “We do have an idea for a spinoff that we’re super excited about … but we haven’t told anyone the idea yet, much less written it," they said. “We think everyone — including Netflix — will be surprised when they hear the concept, because it’s very, very different. But somehow Finn Wolfhard — who is one crazy smart kid — correctly guessed what it was going to be about. But aside from Finn, no one else knows!”
In February of 2022, the Duffers also wrote a post on Netflix’s blog to say: “There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of ‘Stranger Things’; new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes."
When will it be released?
As for timing, fans shouldn’t expect an immediate release. Although Netflix has officially green lit development and the creators have confirmed they’re actively moving forward, the spin-off will likely trail behind the rollout of season five. A new creative team is said to be involved, with the Duffers offering guidance rather than leading production as closely as they have in the past.
Will any of the cast return for the spinoff?
Cameos remain a possibility, but the heart of the new series appears firmly rooted in an entirely different ensemble.
For now, the only confirmed return to the Stranger Things universe is coming through the page, not the screen. Nancy Wheeler’s story continues in the upcoming novel One Way or Another, which reunites her with Robin for another mystery in post-season-four Hawkins.
