Netflix to Film Stranger Things: The First Shadow Play for Streaming

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Netflix is reportedly planning to film the Stranger Things: The First Shadow Broadway play, which provides backstory on the origins of the Upside Down and the villain Vecna, for future streaming on the platform. The play premiered in London's West End in 2023 and was considered canon by the Duffer brothers, but many fans were unable to see it and felt the final season of the show was incomplete without that context. The filmed version will allow more viewers to connect the dots on key lore introduced in the play.

Why it matters

Stranger Things fans have long complained that only a small fraction could access the additional lore and backstory provided in the Stranger Things: The First Shadow play, leaving many feeling the final season was incomplete. Filming the play for Netflix distribution will finally give all fans the full context around the origins of the Upside Down and Vecna that was previously unavailable to most.

The details

Stranger Things: The First Shadow premiered in London's West End in 2023 and provided backstory on the origins of the Upside Down and the villain Vecna. The play was considered canon by the Duffer brothers and referenced key events and details that were not fully explained in the Stranger Things TV series finale. Netflix has not officially confirmed plans to film the play, but rumors suggest the production has blocked out time this month, which is highly unusual for an active stage show.

• Stranger Things: The First Shadow premiered in London's West End in 2023.
• The Stranger Things TV series finale aired late last year.

What’s next

Netflix has not officially confirmed plans to film Stranger Things: The First Shadow, but if the rumors are true, the filmed version of the play would likely be released on the streaming platform at a future date.