Netflix‘s big event this weekend, TUDUM, has kicked off and has given us new looks at upcoming projects from the streaming giant. The kids from Hawkins, Indiana, have not commanded the spotlight in a while. Season Three of “Stranger Things” came and went as successfully as ever, but the Duffer Brothers left the gang in different spots. Hopper appeared to have died, and Eleven and the Byers’ family moved out of Hawkins. It would be fair to ask at that point, what direction would Stranger Things go in the future?
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Well, Netflix finally announced more of the next season’s direction over the last year. Last March, we learned that Hopper is alive but stuck in prison in Russia. Another teaser showed a flashback with Martin Brenner (played by Matthew Modine) speaking with El’s surrogate brothers and sisters. Much has changed since the last season of “Stranger Things” hit the streamer, but that name still has relevance.
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A puzzle has yet to be finished, but now Netflix is slowly giving viewers pieces to the future of the series. The Duffers are leaning into the Cold War era storylines with Hopper in prison, and El is reflecting on her past. Will they delve into more of Eleven’s sisters and brothers today, like in the Season two episode “The Lost Sister?” How will Hopper escape Russian prison – if at all? And what are the rest of the kids doing (and how old will they be this season)?
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The prominent cast members – Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, and Maya Hawke – are all returning. Brett Gelman and Priah Ferguson have both been promoted to series regulars, per Deadline and Variety, respectively.
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In addition, Tom Wlaschiha has been confirmed to be joining the cast as a Russsian. Variety also confirmed that Amybeth McNulty, Myles Truitt, Regina Ting Chen, and Grace Van Dien are also joining the cast alongside “Nightmare On Elm Street” franchise star Robert Englund adding to the genre cameos the Duffer Brothers seem to enjoy.
A new teaser/clip has been revealed by Netflix that features the Creel House, a new location that seems to have some importance with the fourth season.
“Stranger Things” will face serious competition from other streamers and series. They held strong against strong series in 2019, and they will need to do the same. Netflix usually shows up to bat for their signature show, so expect the fourth season to break the internet again.
“Stranger Things: Season 4” hits Netflix in 2022.