Netflix has officially unveiled the trailer and premiere date for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, the first animated series set in the world of Stranger Things. The much-hyped spinoff will be released on April 23, offering fans a sort of fresh spin to Hawkins as the live action series is ready to end its reign.
Developed by showrunner Eric Robles and executive produced by Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, the animated series marks the franchise’s first step into animation. The new chapter is an assurance of old friendships, haunting suspense and a new mystery lurking at the backdrop of the town.
Back to Hawkins in the Winter of 1985
Tales From ’85 is set between Seasons 2 and 3 of the original series. The story unfolds in the winter of 1985, after Eleven sealed the gate to the Upside Down at Hawkins Lab. At first, life seems peaceful. The town is covered in snow and Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have some of the most normal moments they can in snowball fights and Dungeons and Dragons.
That calm does not last long. The trailer opens with a chilling warning that “something survived.” A mysterious threat awakens beneath the frozen streets of Hawkins, forcing the kids to grab their flashlights and radios once again. This time it is not about saving the world. The target is more intimate and close as Robles elaborates. The children are attempting to rescue their town and to discover what is troubling Hawkins.
Familiar Voices and a Star Studded Cast
The animated series features a strong voice cast that brings the beloved characters back to life in a new form. Broadway star Jeremy Jordan lends his voice to Steve Harrington. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voices Eleven, while Luca Diaz plays Mike and Benjamin Plessala voices Will. Dustin is voiced by Braxton Quinney, Lucas by Elisha “EJ” Williams, and Max by Jolie Hoang Rappaport.
Brett Gipson features as Hopper, and Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips play important parts in the ensemble. Animation work is being done by Flying Bark Productions, which has done animation on visual rich and action oriented animation work.
A New Mystery Without Reopening Old Gates
One of the biggest creative challenges was figuring out how to introduce new threats after the Upside Down gate had already been closed. Eric Robles told that it took a lot of research into the original series and a large helping of 1980s film inspiration to solve this puzzle. Once the idea came together, the story quickly found its footing.
The trailer hints at eerie visuals beneath the snow and a danger tied closely to Hawkins’ past. It is still unknown whether it is the shadows of the Upside Down, reflections of Hawkins Lab, or a completely new piece of information. What becomes evident is that the show captures the heart, tension and friendship that made Stranger Things a world-wide phenomenon.
A New Chapter for the Franchise
Executive produced by the Duffer Brothers alongside Robles, Hilary Leavitt through Upside Down Pictures, Shawn Levy via 21 Laps, and Dan Cohen, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 expands the universe while staying true to its roots.
The official logline sums it up perfectly. Winter covers Hawkins in ice and calm seems restored, but beneath it all, something terrifying stirs awake. The animated series will provide the audience with another reason to go back to Hawkins when it hits Netflix on April 23 with its nostalgia, suspense, and new storytelling.
Also Read | Beyond The Upside Down: 8 Life Lessons From Stranger Things
