The series finale may have aired, but the world of Hawkins is far from finished. Following the divisive conclusion of Stranger Things 5 on New Year’s Eve, Netflix has officially confirmed that the hit prequel stage play, The First Shadow, is being professionally filmed for a future streaming release.

According to an exclusive report from Collider, the streamer is currently capturing the acclaimed Broadway production at the Marquis Theatre. To make this possible, a week of performances from February 10 to February 14 was cleared to allow film crews to document the production in high definition. This is a massive win for fans who felt the final season left too many stones unturned regarding the true nature of the Upside Down.

This filmed version will feature the original Broadway cast, most notably Louis McCartney as a young Henry Creel. McCartney’s performance has been hailed as a masterclass in physical acting, portraying Henry’s descent into darkness decades before he became the Vecna we saw Jamie Campbell Bower play in the series. The cast also features T.R. Knight, Gabrielle Nevaeh, and Alex Breaux (who sharp-eyed fans will recognize as Lieutenant Akers from the final season).

Set in 1959, the story is more than just a trip down memory lane. It provides essential context for the finale, linking Henry’s powers to his father’s service on the USS Eldridge during the paranormal “Philadelphia Experiment.” For those who were frustrated by the “unreliable narrator” aspects of Henry’s story in the final episodes, this play is considered the canonical “truth” of how the rift first opened.

The production won multiple Tony Awards for its lighting, sound, and special effects, and seeing these illusions translated to the screen will be a treat for those who couldn’t make it to New York or London. While we don’t have an exact premiere date for the Netflix drop yet, it’s clear that the streamer is leaning into the prequel era to keep the franchise alive now that the main timeline has reached its end.