Entertainment
It’s Officially the End of an Era for Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’
Stranger Things has been nothing short of a phenomenon since it launched a decade ago. But even considering the fact the television series has apparently come to an end, the story has been continuing in lots of different formats. A good story never truly ends, it just keeps going. But one part of the story has hit the buffers.
The critically acclaimed Stranger Things: The First Shadow has extended for a final time in both London’s West End and on Broadway. The production will complete its run at the Phoenix Theatre in London on December 27, 2026, and at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway on January 3, 2027. The show follows a young Henry Creel, soon to become the ultimate villain Vecna, who tormented our teenage heroes in Seasons 4 and 5.
The show will have run for over three years in London, after opening to five-star reviews in 2023. It went on to win Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design, along with Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Set Design and Most Promising Newcomer, and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play. On Broadway, the production became the most Tony Award-winning play of 2025, taking home four awards, including Best Scenic Design of a Play, Best Lighting Design of a Play, Best Sound Design of a Play, and a Special Tony Award for Illusions and Technical Effects.
‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ is a Sensation
Across the West End and Broadway, nearly 1.6 million tickets have been sold, with the production playing more than 1,500 total performances. The show also marked Netflix’s first move into theatre, making it a major test case for how a streaming franchise could be expanded on stage without simply feeling like a live-action bonus episode.
Stranger Things creators and creative producers Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer reflected on the show’s success, saying:
“When the legendary Stephen Daldry first came to us with the idea of making a Stranger Things play, we were stunned — both by the fact that Stephen wanted to do this, and that he believed it could work. And boy, did it work. We remain awed by what Stephen, Kate Trefry, Justin Martin, and all the brilliant behind-the-scenes wizards were able to pull off: cinematic theater unlike anything else out there. Their incredible work drew audiences from all over — a majority of whom had never even been to a Broadway show before. We’d also like to give a standing ovation to the incredibly gifted actors who stepped into these roles — including the Tony-nominated Louis McCartney — and to the fans, who made each and every performance so memorable.”
Written by Kate Trefry, from an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set before the events of the Netflix series and digs deeper into the story of Henry Creel. Trefry added:
“While writing Stranger Things, we always knew there was more to the story of Henry Creel, but never imagined we would have the chance to tell it all. Being given the opportunity to dive deeper into this world through the medium of live theater has been the thrill of a lifetime, and I am still in awe of what our incredible cast and crew was able to achieve. It has been a magical, terrifying ride, and to share the communal experience of every laugh, tear, and scare with your audience is every writer’s dream. Thank you to everyone who made this dream come true.”
The production is directed by Stephen Daldry, with co-director Justin Martin. The creative team includes set designer Miriam Buether, costume designer Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Paul Arditti, composer D.J. Walde, illusions and visual effects designers Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, and video design and visual effects by 59 Studio.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow runs at the Phoenix Theatre in London until December 27, 2026, and at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway until January 3, 2027.
- Release Date
-
2016 – 2025-00-00
- Network
-
Netflix
- Directors
-
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz
- Writers
-
Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
You must be logged in to post a comment Login