It’s happening! The long-awaited return to Hawkins is in motion with Stranger Things Season 5, marking the thrilling final season of Netflix’s beloved supernatural series. Filming has officially been underway since January 8, 2024, and as of the anniversary of Season 1’s release on July 15, the show was about halfway through production. Here’s what we know so far about what’s in store for Eleven, the Hawkins gang, and of course, their formidable foe, Vecna.
Filming Updates: The Journey to the Final Chapter
The cast and crew are back on set, with some familiar faces and a few newcomers. Sadie Sink, who plays the resilient Max, hinted in a recent behind-the-scenes video that everyone is “savoring every single moment” of filming. Jamie Campbell Bower, returning as the menacing Vecna, teased that Season 5 is shaping up to be even grander than the previous one. In this nostalgic reunion, Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) is excited to bring the original quartet — Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin — back together now that Will has finally returned to Hawkins.
Series co-creator Ross Duffer has also shared several glimpses from the set on Instagram, showing fan-favorites like Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin proudly donning his “Hellfire” club T-shirt, while Finn Wolfhard’s Mike is spotted in a familiar room decorated with a Star Wars poster. David Harbour (Hopper) is seen looking ready for action, while castmates like Natalia Dyer (Nancy) and Charlie Heaton (Jonathan) share moments that capture both tension and nostalgia.
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New Faces and a Few Surprises
This season promises exciting additions to the Stranger Things family. Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, and Alex Breaux have joined the cast, though their roles are still under wraps. Additionally, Linda Hamilton, iconic for her roles in The Terminator and Children of the Corn, will be appearing in Season 5 — a casting announcement that left fans abuzz after her reveal during the Tudum global fan event. Hamilton, an enthusiastic fan herself, admitted that balancing her admiration for the series and her role might be a challenge, saying, “I don’t know how to be a fangirl and an actress at the same time. I’m gonna work on that!”
Episode Titles and Teasers
To keep fans on edge, Netflix dropped the episode titles for Season 5 in a video released on Stranger Things Day 2024. Notably, Episode 2’s title was blurred out, adding yet another layer of mystery to the season’s unfolding secrets. As viewers have come to expect, it seems that Season 5 will continue the tradition of keeping a few surprises up its sleeve until the very end.
The Mythology of the Upside Down: What We Still Don’t Know
The Upside Down has been a perplexing enigma since Season 1, and according to Matt and Ross Duffer, we’re about to get some long-awaited answers. Early in the show’s development, the Duffers created a 25-page document to clarify the world of the Upside Down. Matt Duffer recently shared that while they always wanted the alternate dimension to retain its mysterious allure, there were essential questions to address. Some answers were revealed in Season 4, yet the document’s most significant mysteries are reserved for Season 5, hinting at game-changing revelations that could reshape our understanding of the Upside Down.
An Extra Dose of Stranger Things in the West End
While fans eagerly await the series finale, Stranger Things is also stepping into a new dimension — live theatre. The original stage production, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, brings audiences to London’s West End with a narrative that dives into the lore of Hawkins in an entirely new way. Opening on December 14, 2023, at the Phoenix Theatre, the play expands the Stranger Things universe, offering a fresh and intriguing angle for fans to explore while awaiting Season 5.
To Be Continued…
As the Hawkins gang prepares for what might be their biggest battle yet, the final season of Stranger Things promises more mystery, more action, and a deeper look into the otherworldly threat that has loomed over them for so long. With new faces joining the fray, a few old friends returning to the spotlight, and the cryptic secrets of the Upside Down soon to be unveiled, fans will surely be at the edge of their seats when Season 5 premieres in 2025.
