Netflix’s ‘The Boroughs’ Is Not in the ‘Stranger Things’ Universe, and Its Creator Just Made That Crystal Clear

Ever since Netflix first announced a new supernatural mystery produced by the Duffer Brothers, fans have been constructing their wildest theories online. The question at the center of it all has been impossible to ignore: could ‘The Boroughs’ secretly exist in the same world as ‘Stranger Things’?

The answer, it turns out, is a firm and definitive no. But far from being a disappointment, the confirmation opens up something potentially more exciting for the new show and everyone who plans to stream it.

What ‘The Boroughs’ Actually Is, and Why the Confusion Makes Sense

‘The Boroughs‘ is a new Netflix original series created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, which premiered on May 21, 2026. Set in a small desert town in New Mexico, the show follows a chilling mystery hidden behind the calm life of its residents, as a peaceful community slowly turns dark when a dangerous supernatural force begins targeting people living there.

The series is also executive-produced by the Duffer Brothers, and it has been widely described as the spiritual successor to ‘Stranger Things,’ exploring similar themes in a different setting. When asked about the connection, showrunners Addiss and Matthews admitted that some ‘Stranger Things’ elements were likely infused out of inspiration, with the pair noting that they love a lot of the same things as Matt and Ross. That creative overlap is precisely what sparked the speculation to begin with.

The Creator’s Response to the Shared Stranger Things Universe Theory

Creator Jeffrey Addiss has now addressed the theory directly. “Entirely separate worlds,” Addiss confirmed. “I know there are some theories out there that we’re a thing. We’re not. Matt and Ross and all of them who make ‘Stranger Things,’ that’s ‘Stranger Things.’ We’re not playing in their playground. They have an awesome playground, but we’re building over here.”

While both shows follow groups of characters dealing with strange supernatural events, the threats they face are very different. The world and creatures in ‘The Boroughs’ have no real connection to the Upside Down or the Abyss from ‘Stranger Things.’ Another major difference is scale, as ‘Stranger Things’ mainly focuses on one small town, while ‘The Boroughs’ explores events on a much larger, more global level.

The ‘Stranger Things’ universe is also expanding in more direct ways, such as the ongoing animated series ‘Stranger Things: Tales from ’85,’ which takes place between seasons 2 and 3 of the original series. In addition, a live-action ‘Stranger Things’ spinoff is also in development. That expanding roadmap makes it even clearer that any true crossover would have to be announced officially rather than teased through ambiguity.

The Duffer Brothers’ Role and the All-Star Cast Behind ‘The Boroughs’

The Duffers executive produce ‘The Boroughs’ along with Hilary Leavitt under their Upside Down Pictures banner, which is currently under an overall deal with Netflix. Their involvement elevated the project from day one, and their fingerprints are visible throughout the tone and structure of the series.

Netflix assembled an ensemble-heavy cast for ‘The Boroughs,’ led by Alfred Molina as Sam, Geena Davis as Renee, Bill Pullman as Jack, and Alfre Woodard as Judy. Additional cast members include Rafael Casal, Dee Wallace, Ed Begley Jr., Jane Kaczmarek, Eric Edelstein, and Mousa Hussein Kraish.

The prospect of finding the right people to inhabit these characters was one of the most appealing parts of the series when Addiss and Matthews first pitched the concept to the Duffer Brothers. “So many of the actors of this age, even legends, aren’t given an opportunity to shine like action heroes. They’re often cast as grandparents,” said Ross Duffer. “To see them all interact together, it was definitely a pinch me moment when we went to that first table read, because these are all legends and they’re still at the top of their game.”

Why Being Separate From ‘Stranger Things’ Is the Show’s Biggest Strength

Because ‘The Boroughs’ does not share the same universe as ‘Stranger Things,’ it allows the new show to breathe on its own, despite also having the Duffer Brothers attached. That creative freedom matters enormously for a series trying to establish its own mythology and voice.

From the beginning, Addiss and Matthews knew they wanted ‘The Boroughs’ to feel equal parts scary, mysterious, exciting and emotional. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the ‘Stranger Things’ comparison is neither incidental nor unintentional, pointing to the sweet-spooky tone, CG creatures, and touches of nostalgia that carry through the production. The difference is that ‘The Boroughs’ gets to define those elements entirely on its own terms.

While ‘Stranger Things’ had a cast that grew into superstars over the course of the show, ‘The Boroughs’ cast is packed with established actors who have appeared in iconic genre films and franchises. That distinction gives the new series a very different kind of emotional weight, built less on nostalgia for a shared fictional world and more on the genuine power of seasoned performers doing remarkable work together.

The Broader Netflix Supernatural Universe Taking Shape

Matt Duffer himself acknowledged the thematic kinship between the two shows at Netflix’s Next on Netflix 2025 slate presentation. “‘The Boroughs’ probably shares the most DNA with ‘Stranger Things’ because it’s about a group of misfits who fight an otherworldly evil. Only unlike ‘Stranger Things,’ it’s set in a retirement community, so that’s something different,” he said.

‘Stranger Things’ proved to be a massive influence on Netflix’s original programming, with the original series blossoming into a full-fledged franchise through ‘Stranger Things: Tales from ’85’ and ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow.’ The Duffer Brothers are also helping bring new genre hits to Netflix, with ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’ quickly turning into one of Netflix’s biggest hits ahead of ‘The Boroughs’ premiere.

What the Duffers have built is not a shared universe in the traditional Marvel sense but something arguably more interesting: a creative ecosystem where distinct shows can borrow atmosphere and ambition without being shackled to the same mythology.

Now that the debate is settled, the real question worth diving into is whether Alfred Molina and his misfit crew of retirees can carve out a legacy every bit as devoted as the one built in Hawkins, and we’d love to hear whether you think ‘The Boroughs’ has what it takes to become the next great Netflix supernatural obsession.