‘Stranger Things’ Leaves Hawkins Behind For The ‘Other Worlds’ Prequel Netflix Just Made Official With a New Teaser

Hawkins may have said goodbye after 5 seasons, but the story of ‘Stranger Things’ was never going to stay buried. The franchise has expanded to a Tony Award-winning stage production, live experiences at Netflix House and a series of books. Now the long-rumored ‘Stranger Things’ prequel series has finally stepped out of the shadows.

For years, fans have been fed vague teases, podcast hints and theories about what a live-action spinoff might look like. Ross Duffer previously said it would be a different decade with different characters, though still connected to the Stranger Things universe. That left plenty of room for speculation, and plenty of patience required.

Netflix has now put an end to the guessing game. The streamer has ordered the live-action spinoff ‘Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure’ for 2028. The announcement came as part of Stranger Things Day, the annual celebration of the day Will Byers disappeared in the original show.

First teaser for the ‘STRANGER THINGS’ prequel series. “Before Hawkins there was Marion, Nevada.” Coming to Netflix in 2028. https://t.co/HfWMVuNbEu

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 6, 2026

A teaser provides the setting: April 19, 1955, in Marion, Nevada. That places the story a few years before the Nevada experiment seen in the stage play ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’, which is set in 1959. It also means ‘Other Worlds’ predates both the flagship series and the play. Netflix’s February tapings of ‘The First Shadow’ changed the play’s Nevada location to Marion for the proshot, a detail that now looks like a deliberate bridge between the 2 stories.

Plot details are being kept under wraps. The Duffers have teased that the spinoff would focus on events prior to Henry Creel being exposed to the otherworldly substance that gave him his powers. Matt Duffer previously said the series will explain the rock young Henry finds in a scientist’s briefcase and answer some of the remaining loose threads.

The series is co-created by the Duffer Brothers and Kate Trefry, who will also serve as showrunner and executive producer. Trefry landed her first staff writer job on the original series, wrote her first play with ‘The First Shadow’ and has now created her first series. The Duffers remain co-creators but have otherwise handed creative duties to Trefry and director Joe Wright.

BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning Joe Wright will direct the first 3 episodes. Shawn Levy is also executive producing through 21 Laps Entertainment, though he is not directing. The series will film in New Mexico.

Just as important, this is not a story about the Hawkins gang. The series will feature an all-new cast and story. One outlet noted that the title, the 1950s New Mexico setting and a hint in the Duffers’ statement sure do suggest a UFO or outer space theme.

‘Other Worlds’ marks the second ‘Stranger Things’ TV spinoff and the third overall, counting the stage play. The animated ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’, which fills the gap between Seasons 2 and 3, has released 2 seasons and is awaiting a renewal decision.

Levy said the Duffers and Trefry are crafting a new ensemble and adventure imbued with the DNA of the flagship series while exploring a new era, setting and all-new characters, themes and mythology. That description neatly sums up the balancing act ahead, since the creative team has to honor what made the original a phenomenon while giving newcomers a reason to care. The Duffers said they had been dreaming of the project for many years, and that seeing it become reality is surreal and exhilarating.

Netflix held off on confirming the pickup until Stranger Things Day, which made the reveal feel like a gift for the fanbase after years of waiting. With a 2028 premiere date, fans have a long wait ahead. Still, the combination of a returning creative core, a fresh showrunner and a filmmaker like Wright gives the project a promising foundation.

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