‘Stranger Things’ Prequel Spinoff ‘Other Worlds’ Ordered to Series at Netflix

Netflix has unveiled a first look at a new chapter in the Stranger Things universe that will take the franchise in a different direction. The upcoming series will introduce a new setting and characters while retaining the supernatural mystery and horror that made the original show a global hit.

via: Variety

The show is titled “Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure” and is set to debut in 2028. The announcement comes as part of “Stranger Things” Day, the annual celebration to mark the day Will Byers disappeared in the original show — Nov. 6, 1983.

This is now the fourth project set in the “Stranger Things” universe. In addition to the wildly popular mothership show, which ended its run at the end of 2025, there is also the animated series “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85” and the stage show “Stranger Things: First Shadow,” the latter of which delves more into the backstory of Henry Creel, aka Vecna. The spinoff was first reported to be in the works in 2022.

Plot details are scarce for “Other Worlds,” aside from the fact it will be a prequel set in the 1950’s prior to the events of “Stranger Things” and the “The First Shadow.” In an interview tied to the series finale, Matt and Ross Duffer teased that the spinoff would focus on the events prior to Henry Creel being exposed to the otherworldly substance that gave him his powers in “Stranger Things.”

A teaser asset for “Other Worlds” confirmed that, with the video (see below) revealing that the series will take place in 1955 in Marion, Nevada.

“Other Worlds” is co-created by the Duffer brothers and Kate Trefry, a writer on “Stranger Things” and the writer of “The First Shadow.” Trefry will also serve as showrunner and executive producer on the series. Joe Wright will direct the first three episodes and executive produce, with Shawn Levy of 21 Laps, Paul Dichter, Shelley Meals, Andrea Sperling, and Pavlina Hatoupis also executive producing. The series will film in New Mexico.

“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,” the Duffers said. “We’re so grateful to our incredible team of collaborators: our showrunner Kate Trefry, who has been in the trenches with us since Season 2 and wrote ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow;’ and our director, Joe Wright, a brilliant artist whose work we’ve long admired. We can’t wait for you to see what they’re cooking up. 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!”

The Duffers are executive producing under their Upside Down Pictures banner, with “Other Worlds” serving as a carve out of their current overall deal at Paramount. The Duffers were previously under an overall deal at Netflix, but it was announced in 2025 that they would be moving to Paramount for a deal that covered movies, television and streaming once their Netflix overall expired in April 2026.

“The Duffer Brothers gave me my first paying job in Hollywood, and it has been a joy and a fever dream ever since,” Trefry said. “Now, it is my insane honor and privilege to be bringing this new chapter of ‘Stranger Things’ to life alongside them and our incredible director Joe Wright. With the support of Netflix and 21Laps, we have had the time of our lives returning to all the horror, wonder and mystery of the flagship, while also telling a wholly new story, one we hope will blow your minds and break your hearts all over again. There are so many more mysteries to explore. Welcome to ‘Other Worlds.’”

“’Stranger Things’ has always belonged to the fans, and their passion made it a worldwide phenomenon,” said Jinny Howe, Netflix Head of Scripted Series, US & Canada. “Today, on ‘Stranger Things’ Day, we’re honored to partner again with Matt and Ross Duffer and Kate Trefry to give fans a new dimension of this universe to step into. ‘Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure’ takes us to the 1950s with new heroes and all the heart, mystery, and spectacle of the original series. We’re proud to keep building this world with the Duffers, Kate, Shawn Levy, and Joe Wright, and we can’t wait for fans to see what’s next.”

“All of us at 21Laps are thrilled and privileged to be continuing the storytelling legacy of ‘Stranger Things,” Levy added. “With ‘Other Worlds,’ the Duffer Brothers and Kate Trefry craft a new ensemble and adventure that is imbued with the DNA of our flagship series while exploring a new era, setting and all-new characters, themes and mythology — the seeds of which may have been planted in Hawkins, but now venture into other worlds of spectacle, action and emotion.”