If the end of “Stranger Things” left your world turned upside down, don’t retreat to the void just yet. The gates to Hawkins remain open with several high-profile projects currently in development.
In 2023, the prequel stage play “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” (written by Kate Trefry), debuted on London’s West End, and later became a Broadway sensation in 2025. Now, Netflix is expanding the universe even more with two distinct series: “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85,” which was first announced in 2023 and will be an animated spinoff exploring new corners of the lore through a stylized lens, and an untitled live-action spinoff that creators Matt and Ross Duffer officially confirmed before the Season 5 series finale.
From the stage to the screen, here is everything we know about the stories still waiting to be told.
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“Stranger Things: Tales From ’85” will take viewers back in time, with its story taking place between Seasons 2 and 3 of the original series. While we know that it’ll feature the characters we’ve all come to know as they fight unfamiliar monsters and solve unexpected mysteries, the remaining details of the animated series are still under wraps.
The Duffer brothers are not spilling many details about the currently untitled live-action spinoff, either. But shortly before the premiere of the series finale, the Duffer brothers told the Hollywood Reporter that they are still in the “very early days” of developing this new project. They also revealed that the upcoming iteration will take place in “a different decade” and feature “different characters,” while expanding upon the “Stranger Things” universe. “It’s an idea we’ve had for years and something we’re just really excited and passionate about,” Ross shared. “It’s very fun to start to develop a new mythology and new characters. It’s been a blast,” Matt added.
Although the live-action spinoff has not yet reached the casting stage, “Tales From ’85” has released its voice cast, which includes:
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield
- Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler
- Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas Sinclair
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson
- Benjamin Plessala as Will Byers
- Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper
Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips have also signed on in undisclosed roles.
Matt and Ross Duffer are already hard at work establishing the world that will become the new live-action spinoff. “My favorite part of the show is working on it. It’s not releasing it—that’s just stressful, no matter how it goes when you release it. It’s maybe my least favorite part of the process. I like the creative part. I like making it,” Matt told Variety. “So, we’re actually really excited and it’s very exciting to work with a clean slate: completely new characters, new town, new world, new mythology.”
However, the pair told the Hollywood Reporter they won’t be running the show. Though they’ll be “heavily involved” with its creation, they will not take the helm as showrunners. For “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85,” on the other hand, the Duffer brothers are both co-creators and producers behind the animated series alongside showrunner Eric Robles (“Glitch Techs,” “Fanboy & Chum Chum”).
There aren’t any casting calls for “Stranger Things” projects at this time, but we can help you prepare for what’s to come. Check out our guide on how to get cast on “Stranger Things” for insight into how the casting team formed the now-iconic ensemble, and be sure to bookmark our main casting page for access to the latest calls as they become available. And while you’re here, feel free to check out these other projects that have been greenlit:
- How to Get Cast on ‘Stranger Things’ Creators’ New Show ‘The Boroughs’
- Everything We Know About Universal Pictures’ ‘The Mummy 4’
- Everything We Know About Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Film
- Everything We Know About ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Live-Action Film
- Everything We Know About Tom Ford’s ‘Cry to Heaven’
- Everything We Know About Blumhouse’s ‘Exorcist’ Movie, Starring Scarlett Johansson
For those who want to beef up their acting skills, here’s some advice that’ll help you land a role no matter which spinoff appeals to you most:
While “Tales From ’85” will debut on Netflix sometime in 2026, the live-action series remains in the earliest stages of development. So, while some estimate that the live-action series could debut as soon as 2027, everything’s speculative at this stage.
Looking to get cast? Apply to casting calls on Backstage.