Overview
- Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is set in winter 1985 between Seasons 2 and 3 and is positioned as part of the official timeline.
- Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, Max, and Hopper return in animated form with new voice actors including Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Luca Diaz, Elisha “EJ” Williams, Braxton Quinney, Ben Plessala, and Brett Gipson.
- The prequel introduces new monsters and an original character named Nikki Baxter, described as a mechanically inclined “tinker.”
- Showrunner Eric Robles has said the story uses “loopholes” to explain threats without reopening the gate closed in Season 2, citing ideas that blend Hawkins Lab science with Upside Down matter.
- Following mixed fan reactions to the Season 5 finale and debunked “Conformity Gate” rumors, the Duffer Brothers confirm multiple additional spinoffs are in development while the main live‑action story remains complete.