Summary
Stranger Thingsmight be on the tail end of its run at Netflix, but there’s another series under development at the streamer that could carry on the spirit of the show with a big difference in the lead cast throwing in a wildcard for fans expecting more of the same.
Stranger Thingswas instrumental in the current cultural importance of Netflix and has remained a fan favorite despite its ups and downs over the years. The show’s narrative has expanded the initial premise by quite a bit, and fans have been eager to see where the fifth season will take things in light of it being confirmed as the final installment of the series. As with all projects nearing their end in the current year, the idea of the highly successful shop ending caused a tidal wave of renewed interest, leading toStranger Thingscreators the Duffer Brothers having to shut down lots of spinoff rumorswhile leaving the door open for potentially exploring options to return to the Upside Down.
With that setup, it was obvious that there would be a lot of comparisons drawn when it was announced thatStranger Thingscreators were working on a new supernatural project at NetflixtitledThe Boroughs,and it seems that a good portion of that speculation might have been justified. In a casting report fromDeadline, focused on the additions of stars Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, and Bill Pullman to the cast ofThe Boroughs,the publication also highlighted the similarities between the show, which the Duffer brothers will only be producers on alongside showrunners Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews.The Boroughfeatures a group of retirement community residents saving the world from external threats, and the Duffers even acknowledged the similarities and differences when the series was announced.
While the heroes in The Boroughs have a few more years on them than the kids from Stranger Things, they are a similarly lovable bunch of misfits, and we can’t wait for you to join them on an adventure that is at turns scary, funny, and deeply touching.
With the sheer number of plotlines and character arcs at play on the show and the way viewers have connected with different facets of the show,Netflix’sStranger Thingsseason 5 might not be satisfyingfor fans who have followed the characters for years and have a deep emotional investment in them, and no spiritual successor will change that, however closely the feeling of the original might be matched. Netflix certainly wants to recreate that success withThe Boroughs, but that cannot and will not excuse a lack of fan satisfaction with the narrative ending ofStranger Things.As for the chance at a more traditional successor to the mainline show, spinoffs are still on the table forStranger Things, but not with Eleven in the main role, as some fans might have desired. How that potential is used might hinge even more closely on the way season five turns out.
In the end, there’s likely going to be a lot for fans of Stranger Things to enjoy when this new show hits the streamer. It’s clear from the Hollywood schedule that2025 is going to be a massive year for gaming, movies, and TV, and the final season of Stranger Things is one of the most prominent items on the menu. IfThe Boroughscan manage to capture even half the interest the show has amassed over the course of its five-season run for its premiere, then it’ll be off to a solid start on Netflix.
Stranger Thingsis currently available to stream on Netflix, with a fifth season expected in 2025.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a horror and supernatural franchise that was originally a popular show on Netflix. The viral success of the television program cause it to have its very own mobile game, Stranger Things 3: The Game, where you play one of 12 characters in a SNES-like version of Hawkins.
