Netflix has officially unveiled a brand new series within the Stranger Things universe. Titled 'Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure', the project will serve as a live-action prequel to the iconic show. The announcement was made on November 6, 2026 — the so-called Stranger Things Day, which in the original series' lore marks Will Byers' disappearance and the beginning of mysterious events in Hawkins. Alongside the announcement, the platform dropped the first teaser and revealed a tentative release window.
Action Shifts to 1955 Nevada
The new project pushes the franchise's timeline back by nearly three decades, with events unfolding in 1955. Furthermore, the setting will not be the familiar town of Hawkins, but rather the town of Marion in the state of Nevada. Thus, 'Other Worlds' will act as a prequel not only to the main series, but also to the stage play 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow', which explores the past of Henry Creel, the future Vecna. According to Netflix representatives, the new story will offer fans fresh characters, signature warmth, and captivating mysteries, with events taking place even before the story shown in the Broadway play.
What the First Teaser Revealed
In the released clip, the camera focuses on an abandoned bicycle with a cassette player playing The Chords' song 'Sh-Boom'. The lens then slowly pans up to the gloomy night sky, where a mysterious glow appears. The screen also displays the date and location: April 19, 1955, Marion, Nevada. Notably, the track 'Sh-Boom' was previously featured in the fifth season of Stranger Things in a scene related to Henry Creel's memories, potentially hinting at a connection between the new story and the origins of one of the original series' key antagonists.
Who Is Behind the Project
Creators of the original show Matt and Ross Duffer will return to produce 'Other Worlds'. Kate Trefry, who has worked on Stranger Things since season two and penned the stage play 'The First Shadow', will serve as showrunner and writer. Joe Wright — a BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winner known for films such as Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, and Darkest Hour — has been tapped to direct the first three episodes. Executive producers include Shawn Levy, who previously worked on the original series. The cast has not been disclosed yet: according to the Duffer brothers, casting will be the next stage of production.
When to Expect the Premiere and Franchise Context
The premiere of 'Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure' is scheduled for 2028, with an exact date yet to be announced by Netflix. The new project marks another expansion of the popular franchise following the conclusion of the main series in 2025. Previously, the streaming service released the animated spinoff 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85', set between the second and third seasons of the original show; unlike that project, the new prequel will be live-action and tell a standalone story. For context, according to research agency Nielsen, the television season spanning September 14, 2025, to May 24, 2026, was topped by Netflix's Stranger Things with 32.9 million viewers.
