Skip to main content

There’s a Stranger Things prequel, and you’ll never guess what it’s about

Stranger Things on Netflix may be coming to an end after season 5, but the spinoffs have only just begun. The first one is heading to the stage as Stranger Things: The First Shadow is going to London’s West End later this year.

The play is set 25 years before the events of Stranger Things season 1 “before the world turned upside down.” The play will focus on younger versions of four characters from the series: Jim Hopper, Joyce Maldonado, Bob Newby, and Henry Creel.

The official logline reads: “Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.”

Stranger Things: The First Shadow | West End teaser

The First Shadow is based on an original story from Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne (Enola Holmes 2), and Kate Trefry, a writer for Stranger Things. Trefry will pen the play, and Stephen Daldry (Together) will direct with Justin Martin (The Lovers). The play will run at London’s Phoenix Theatre.

“Collaborating with the brilliant Stephen Daldry has been nothing short of inspiring, and Kate Trefry has written a play that is at turns surprising, scary, and heartfelt,” the Duffer Brothers said in a statement. “You will meet endearing new characters, as well as very familiar ones, on a journey into the past that sets the groundwork for the future of Stranger Things.”

Logo for the Stranger Things prequel.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Stranger Things: The First Shadow will officially open in the West End in autumn 2023.

Editors' Recommendations

Dan Girolamo
Dan is a passionate and multitalented content creator with experience in pop culture, entertainment, and sports. Throughout…
Where to watch Christmas at Graceland holiday special
Frontal view of Elvis' house at Graceland.

Who better to honor at the holidays than The King of Rock 'n' Roll himself? Celebrate Elvis this holiday season with Christmas at Graceland, a new hour-long musical special from Presley's iconic house, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee.

The lineup of musical acts performing for Christmas at Graceland range from country music's hottest stars to Grammy Award-winning musicians. The list of performers includes Kane Brown, Lana Del Rey, John Legend, Post Malone, Alanis Morissette, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, and The War And Treaty. Presley's granddaughter, actress Riley Keough, serves as the executive producer of Christmas at Graceland. 
Watch the Christmas at Graceland live stream on NBC

Read more
The best shows on Peacock right now
Edgar Ramirez dressed in doctor scrubs, looking down at a patient in season 2 of Dr. Death on Peacock.

The best shows on Peacock include a wide selection of originals that have hit it out of the park for the streaming service, including Poker Face, Wolf Like Me, and Based on a True Story. But they're not alone. Peacock offers plenty of great shows, including network series that you can stream there as well, along with live sports programming, talk shows, and more.

If you're unsure where to start, or if you should even subscribe to Peacock, we have you covered. This selection of the best shows on Peacock gives you an idea of what's in store with the streaming service. Find a few shows you want to watch (or rewatch) and bookmark them for holiday viewing. With time off from work and school, now is the perfect time to curl up with an exciting new show.

Read more
NBA Knockouts start this weekend — how to watch every game [Sponsored]
NBA basketball hoop on Dish Network

The new NBA In-Season Tournament is here and groups are ending. If you want to get into the thick of it and start watching in the Knockout Stage (which starts December 3rd) you need to start figuring out your plan now. But don't worry too much, because we've got it figured out for you. You can take advantage of Dish, a satellite-based alternative to regular cable, and catch all of the action.

With a Dish plan starting at just $85 per month, you can get ESPN and TNT, which are hosting 84 and 63 NBA games this season, respectively. For just slightly more, at $105 per month, you'll also be granted access to NBA TV, which is hosting 104 NBA games this season. And with any plan, Dish is paying you $100 in a gift card just for making the switch, conveniently enough to pay for Dish's NBA League Pass, which has every NBA game this season. And all of this is in addition to all of the other great programming provided.

Read more