The world of Hawkins is expanding in a bold new direction. While the flagship “Stranger Things” series has reached its epic conclusion, Netflix is ensuring the gate to the Upside Down remains cracked open. The streaming giant has officially revealed the first trailer and a spring release date for its highly anticipated animated spinoff, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85.
Set to debut on April 23, the series marks a significant milestone as the franchise’s first venture into animation. Under the guidance of showrunner Eric Robles and executive producers the Duffer Brothers, the show bridges the gap between the second and third seasons. The story returns to the winter of 1985, where a brutal snowstorm blankets Indiana, setting the stage for a chilling new mystery.
In a major casting update, Broadway sensation Jeremy Jordan (known for Newsies and Supergirl) will provide the voice for the iconic Steve Harrington. The narrative follows Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max as they navigate a deceptively peaceful winter break. Their days of Dungeons & Dragons and snowball fights are cut short when a terrifying new threat awakens beneath the icy streets of Hawkins.
The trailer gives us a first look at the “Real Ghostbusters” style influence the creators are aiming for, featuring a diverse array of new threats. Highlights include vine-like monsters, “pumpkin-headed” abominations, and mini-Mind Flayers that prove the Upside Down’s influence hasn’t fully faded. Fans also get a glimpse of a new character, a “tinker” named Nikki Baxter, who joins the core group on their latest adventure.
The ensemble voice cast features Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, and Brett Gipson as Hopper. Industry veterans Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips also join the production, with animation handled by the acclaimed Flying Bark Productions. With a mix of nostalgic vibes and fresh monsters, Tales From ’85 looks to be the perfect fix for fans craving more supernatural thrills.