How Stranger Things’ Series Finale Sets Up New Live-Action Spinoff Officially Confirmed

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Although the original Stranger Things series has ended, the story isn’t over! Netflix plans to continue the universe with spinoffs that will delve deeper into this world. Given the show’s massive popularity, it’s no surprise they’re expanding the franchise – it already includes comic books and a stage play. More TV shows are on the way too, like the animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, which will follow the core group in a new adventure between seasons 2 and 3.

A live-action spinoff of Stranger Things is also in the works. Though it won’t include any characters we already know, the show’s ending hinted at its story through the origins of Henry Creel and the Mind Flayer. Young Henry discovered a strange rock in a cave – a rock originating from The Abyss, the Mind Flayer’s home world – which allowed the monster to control him. According to Matt Duffer, who spoke with Variety, the spinoff will explore the history of this rock, describing it as a key element of the new series.

I want to clarify what to expect with the spinoff. It will explore some existing storylines and provide answers to lingering questions. However, it’s built around a completely new mythology, so it won’t be a detailed look into the Mind Flayer or things like that. It’s a fresh direction, but it will tie up some loose ends.

What Was The Rock In The Briefcase & What Will The Stranger Things Spinoff Be About?

A rock featured in the finale of Stranger Things has a surprising connection to The First Shadow, the play that tells the story before the show. This connection sheds light on the scientist’s background and explains how a rock from another dimension, called The Abyss, made its way to our world. Back in the 1940s, the U.S. military conducted an experiment – known as The Philadelphia Experiment – which accidentally transported a ship and its crew to The Abyss, resulting in almost total loss of life. The sole survivor was Captain Brenner – the father of Dr. Martin Brenner – who returned home, but with a changed blood type.

Back in the 1950s, Martin Brenner launched a project called The Nevada Experiment. He was trying to figure out how his father’s ship had mysteriously vanished and unlock the secrets within his family history – and another dimension. Unbeknownst to Brenner, a Soviet spy was secretly part of his team, and this is the person Henry encounters in the cave. This event forms the core story of The First Shadow, explaining how Henry became Brenner’s top subject, Number One. But does it also offer hints about the upcoming spinoff series?

The show won’t primarily focus on the backstories of Henry and Brenner; doing so would essentially just recreate the stage play. The Duffer brothers have stated they’re aiming for a fresh start with new characters, a new storyline, and a different time period, without bringing back anyone from the original series. A more likely direction could be exploring stories like The Philadelphia Experiment or The Abyss, potentially centered around Captain Brenner’s past. This would be set in the 1940s and avoid existing characters, aligning with the creators’ vision. However, it remains to be seen whether they can do this without revisiting the lore of the Mind Flayer.

It’s likely connected to past experiments, though it could be something completely original. The mysterious ‘Abyss’ probably plays a part, given the connection to the spin-off series. The story might be set far in the past, or even in a different country, to make it unique. Ultimately, we’ll probably get some answers, but perhaps not all the ones fans are hoping for.

All seasons of Stranger Things are now streaming on Netflix.

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2026-01-02 15:10