Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a stage play set decades before the original series that follows the early life of Henry Creel, is coming to Netflix. The play will be filmed professionally by Netflix for release on the streaming service at a later date. No release date has been announced yet.
A prequel to the main Stranger Things story, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is in 1959, decades before the events of the main series. The story focuses on the early life of Henry Creel and explores the events that led to him becoming Vecna. While the main series featured backstory and flashbacks, the stage play helps fill the gaps that the series deliberately skipped. It goes deeper into Henry's childhood, exploring his emotional state, relationships, and how his powers first manifested.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow first debuted in London's West End in late 2023 before transferring to Broadway in New York City in 2025. It's currentlyply playing at the Marquis Theatre in Times Square, New York. According to Collider, performances have been canceled from Tuesday, February 10 to Saturday, February 14, to facilitate filming.
The Netflix recording will feature the Tony Award-winning production's original cast, including Louis McCartney (Silent Roar) as Henry Creel (reprising the role he originated in the West End), T.R. Knight (Grey's Anatomy) as Victor Creel, Gabrielle Nevaeh (That Girl Lay Lay) as Patty Newby, and Alex Breaux as Dr. Brenner. Interestingly, Breaux actually appeared in Season 5 of Stranger Things, but as a different character, Lieutenant Rober Akers.
The original Stranger Things series concluded with its fifth and final season in December 2025. The series, which first began in 2016, became a cultural phenomenon for its mix of 1980s nostalgia with supernatural mystery and heartfelt storytelling. Combined with Netflix’s platform and high production values, the show captured both new audiences and longtime ’80s enthusiasts alike.
While the main series may have ended, Netflix is keeping the franchise alive with multiple spin-offs. Earlier this month, Netflix finally unveiled Stranger Things: Tales from '85, an animated prequel spin-off set in 1985, taking palce between Seasons 2 and 3 of the show. The series will follow the core group of Hawkins kids as they confront new threates from the Upside Down and unravel a paranormal mystery.
Netflix is also developing a live-action spin-off series that, while connected to the Stranger Things universe, will feature all new characters, a new setting, and a different time period.