Netflix will soon broadcast Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stranger ThingsFeb 12, 20262 min read

A true global phenomenon signed by the most famous red N, the series Stranger Things had its conclusion on January 1, 2026. Although the Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross, have confirmed that there will be no Season 6, that doesn't stop the universe of the franchise from expanding. How? Through spin-off projects. In addition to the animated series Stranger Things: Chronicles of 1985 coming to Netflix, the streaming giant will soon broadcast one of the performances of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the play.

A prequel to return to the origins of Vecna

With five seasons broadcast between July 15, 2016, and January 1, 2026, the series Stranger Things has addressed several topics, introduced various characters, and developed a certain lore. The main narrative arc is closed, but there are still many points that can be explored further. The proof is that from April 23, 2026, fans of the franchise will be able to delve deeper into the events that occurred between Seasons 2 and 3 with the animated series Stranger Things: Chronicles of 1985. Subsequently, the universe should also expand further with a live-action spin-off series.

In the meantime, there is another project, much less publicized yet far more concrete. It's Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a play that has been performed for two years on Broadway (New York) and West End (London). It serves as a prequel to the series and allows us to discover the past of Henry Creel, aka Vecna, the famous antagonist of Season 4 played by Jamie Campbell Bower in the series. He arrived in Hawkins in 1959. It's around this time that he will discover his incredible powers. The play explores the character's youth, which also allows us to learn more about Hopper, Joyce, and Bob.

In this theatrical version, Henry Creel is portrayed by Louis McCartney. He is accompanied on stage by Alison Jaye, who plays Joyce Maldonado, Burke Swanson, who plays James Hopper, and Juan Carlos, who plays Bob Newby. Netflix is well aware that not everyone can attend one of the scheduled performances of the play, especially since the tour will end on March 29. Therefore, to allow everyone to watch it without physical limitations, a recording is underway. This will enable Netflix to broadcast it soon on its platform, even though no release date has yet been set. However, for now, if you want a preview of what awaits you, you can always watch the documentary on the making of the play.