'Stranger Things' Is Ditching the '80s for the '50s in New Live-Action Prequel Series 'Other Worlds'

Stranger Things is ditching the ‘80s for the ‘50s in Other Worlds, a new prequel series set to debut on Netflix in 2028.

On Friday (Nov. 6), which, for fans, stands as Stranger Things Day, the Duffer Brothers said presumably exactly as much as they’re allowed to about the impending live-action spinoff.

“We’ve been dreaming of Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure for many years now, and to see it become a reality is surreal and exhilarating,” Matt and Ross were quoted as teasing in an update from Netflix’s Tudum platform. “It’s Stranger Things, but also thrillingly fresh, with a new setting, new heroes and villains, and new … actually, we’re not allowed to say any more. Now, on to casting. In the meantime — watch the skies, nerds!”

“Before Hawkins, there was Marion,” official Netflix accounts further teased when sharing a brief teaser video announcing the series, production for which is set to hit New Mexico soon.

Serving as showrunner and co-creator is Kate Trefry, a name that should ring familiar for fans due to her extensive work as a writer on the original Stranger Things. Joe Wright, who counts Atonement and Cyrano among his past credits, has been enlisted to direct the first three episodes of Other Worlds.

To be clear, the story of Other Worlds precedes both the original Stranger Things series and the 1959-set play The First Shadow. As Trefry promised on Friday, “so many more mysteries” of the larger Stranger Things universe remain unexplored, and Other Worlds aims to delve into some of them.

That’s about all we know for now, though we can probably expect more details, like casting announcements and a firmer release date, to start trickling in at some point next year.