‘Stranger Things’ Spin-Off Showrunner Explains Connection to Official Canon [Exclusive]

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When Stranger Things first came out, it was fairly simple to follow the show’s story. But as the show became more popular, the creators, the Duffer Brothers, added a lot more to the universe with things like comics, novels, and plays. Now, a new TV series, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, will introduce even more to the story, taking place between seasons two and three. Even before it’s released, trailers for the spin-off have led fans to wonder if it will change things that happened in the original show, as they feature events never before seen in the Stranger Things world.

Eric Robles, the showrunner for Tales from ’85, recently discussed with MovieWeb how the show’s storyline connects to the established series canon—or if it connects at all. When asked directly if the show is considered official canon, Robles explained:

Ultimately, it’s up to the creators, the Duffer Brothers, to determine what they consider official story material. What we can say is that we’re staying true to the characters and their personalities, and that part is definitely consistent with the established story. We’re prioritizing authentic character portrayals. Where the story goes from here, and how expansive it becomes, will depend on audience response and whether people want to see more. If there’s enough interest, the story will naturally evolve on its own. So, I can’t definitively say what will be considered ‘canon’ in the future, as the story is still unfolding. However, the core of the story – the characters themselves – remains consistent.

Because Tales from ’85 is a Netflix series, its story wasn’t developed solely by Robles and his team. The Duffer Brothers, along with other filmmakers working on the live-action show, also contributed to the storyline.

According to Robles, the show has strong support from the creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer. Even in the early stages, their writers served as consultants, giving the show a realistic feel similar to Stranger Things. The head writer, Caitlin Schneiderhan, also worked on the live-action series and joined this project specifically to ensure the show remained faithful to the original characters, relationships, and story.

The show Stranger Things resonates with viewers in many different ways. Some enjoy its scary moments, while others are drawn to the science fiction elements. Many appreciate the strong friendships between the characters, and others love the show’s 1980s style. According to Robles, the key to the show’s success is how well the characters interact with each other. He explained further:

Really, Stranger Things is a story about the connections between people, not just the monsters they face, and that continues in this new format. We’re diving deeper into the relationships – you’ll see more of Lucas and Max together, and follow Dustin on all his new plans and adventures. That’s what we’re aiming for! We can’t guarantee everything will perfectly match what’s happened before, but we will stay true to the characters’ personalities and let the story unfold naturally from there.

Since both Stranger Things and Tales from ’85 are set in the 1980s, and the creator, Robles, also grew up during that time, he drew a comparison between changing established storylines (retcons) and a popular trend of the ’80s—something that was a key element of the second season of Stranger Things.

I grew up watching Ghostbusters, and then The Real Ghostbusters cartoon, which was a huge treat for me as a kid in the ’80s. I didn’t overthink things like plot holes when Ghostbusters II came out. I wasn’t wondering why Egon didn’t mention certain ghosts from the cartoon. I just enjoyed the adventures and spending time with those characters. That’s what I’m hoping fans will do with our show – just relax and enjoy the ride.

Even before its release, trailers for Tales from ’85 haven’t shown anything that clashes with the events of the live-action Stranger Things series. However, the animated spin-off introduces characters and creatures not seen in the original five seasons, leading fans to wonder if it will change established storylines.

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2026-04-15 20:50