Netflix Announces New Stranger Things Live-Action Prequel Series for 2028
The upcoming series Other Worlds explores the 1950s origins of the franchise's supernatural mythology.
1Official Franchise Expansion
Netflix has officially ordered Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure, a new live-action prequel series scheduled for a 2028 release. Announced on Stranger Things Day, the project marks the fourth installment in the franchise, following the original series, the animated Tales from '85, and the stage production, The First Shadow.
2Setting and Atmosphere
The series shifts the narrative from Hawkins to Marion, Nevada, in 1955. A teaser trailer features an abandoned bicycle and a mysterious atmospheric rift, accompanied by the 1950s classic Sh-Boom. This setting predates the events of the original show and the stage play, focusing on the era before Henry Creel's transformation.
3Creative Leadership Team
Kate Trefry, who wrote The First Shadow, serves as showrunner and co-creator alongside original series creators Matt and Ross Duffer. Joe Wright is set to direct the first three episodes. Shawn Levy of 21 Laps joins the team as an executive producer, maintaining continuity with the flagship show's production DNA.
4Narrative Scope and Focus
While plot specifics remain largely under wraps, the creators describe the show as a fresh exploration of new heroes, villains, and mythology. The story aims to delve into the origins of the otherworldly substances and powers that eventually defined the events in Hawkins, expanding the franchise's spectacle, action, and emotional depth.
5Production and Development
Development on this spinoff has been active since at least 2022. The production will take place in New Mexico. Although the Duffer Brothers are moving to a new overall deal at Paramount for future projects, they remain heavily involved in this specific Netflix collaboration to ensure the series' creative vision.
6Franchise Legacy Context
The original Stranger Things series concluded its five-season run in 2025, having premiered in 2016. Its immense popularity, with the first four seasons accumulating over 1.2 billion views, established it as a cornerstone of Netflix's streaming library. The finale was even screened in theaters, signaling the brand's enduring commercial power.
7Conflicting Location Reports
While official promotional materials and teasers identify the setting as Marion, Nevada, some reports have cited Marion, Indiana, as the location. Despite this discrepancy in early coverage, the core premise remains a 1950s-era prequel that ventures outside the established Hawkins geography to explore the wider, darker mysteries of the universe.
8Future Outlook
With casting currently underway, fans are looking toward 2028 for the next chapter of the saga. The series aims to balance the nostalgic horror of the original show with a distinct, new ensemble cast. It represents a strategic effort by Netflix to continue leveraging its most successful intellectual property globally.