As the final season of Stranger Things looms closer, creators Matt and Ross Duffer are being pressed on possible spinoff ideas that could expand the franchise.
It’s been a long wait for the final season of Stranger Things but at last, the conclusion to the epic series is almost here. It will release in three installments; Part One on November 26, Part Two on December 25, and The Finale on December 31. It makes sense the show will be bigger (including in episode length) and likely better than ever before, with fans eager to see how the story of a pack of teenagers in a 1980s town facing down an extradimensional evil wraps up.
The pressure is on Matt and Ross Duffer, the brothers who created the series back in 2016. They’re fully aware of the history of great genre shows that couldn’t quite stick the landing and want to avoid that. It’s a huge challenge that they’re up for.
A massive cover story in Variety saw the pair discuss the show, its origins, hints at what’s to come for season 5, and more. It also addressed a major question many fans are wondering: Are we getting a spinoff of this hit series?
What the Duffers say about a Stranger Things spinoff
It’s pretty obvious Netflix would love a spinoff to Stranger Things. The property has one of the biggest fanbases of any streaming service original, and has already spawned tie-in comic books, novels, and a stage play.
A spinoff could go in many directions, from featuring more of the characters after the show ends, to other events in this world, to even jumping ahead to the 1990s or 2000s. There show has already established that there are supernatural elements in other parts of this world, like Russia. It all depends on the Duffers, and they want to approach it carefully.
Matt told Variety that they don’t want to “increasingly expand what could become an insanely convoluted mythology” after season 5. Instead, Ross said that any other Stranger Things show would “live in a bit of a different world,” but “there’s going to be connective tissue.”
It’s a good move by the pair, as they naturally don’t want to spoil season 5. Keeping things vague is better. Executive producer and director Shawn Levy said that it’s all up to the Duffers, as it’s their brand.
“They’ve been very protective of spinoff talk, and I understand that the Matt-Ross bubble is sacred," Levy said. "I’m excited to extend the storytelling life of ‘Stranger Things’ — I’m not going to call it a ‘universe,’ because that would be obnoxious. The ‘STU’? Too soon?”
The Duffers hinted that Netflix might be putting a bit of pressure on them for a spinoff. “Netflix has been surprisingly patient. I feel that patience wearing thin a little bit, with the show coming to an end. But they’re understanding," said Matt.
Netflix’s chief creative officer Bela Bajaria responded that there’s no set timeline for any spinoff as “I’d always love more Stranger Things. When they’re ready, we’ll be ready.”
Netflix wanting to continue the series is only natural given its status as an international phenomenon. The streamer has already taken that strategy with other shows such as Squid Game, so striking while the iron is hot to continue the franchise makes business sense.
However, the Duffers are likely being wary given how some TV shows expanding into universes can cause problems, or water down the franchise itself. It’s happened with Marvel, Star Wars and other properties. Just slapping “from the world of Stranger Things” on any old show isn’t going to be enough, it has to be something equally as creative and well made as the original show is.
It’s a good sign the Duffers are taking their time with this and not just racing to put a spinoff out there or distract themselves by making one at the same time as the final season. They no doubt have plenty of ideas and hopefully are able to maintain control over any spinoffs, rather than let Netflix hand them off to creators who may not have the proper vision for the franchise. That’s another downfall for a hit property that fans have seen happen over the years.
For now, the Duffers are focused on making sure Stranger Things lands the ending right before they work on expanding this amazing universe.
Stranger Things season 5 premieres November 26 on Netflix.