Netflix has released the first look at its upcoming Stranger Things spinoff, Tales From ’85, an animated series set between Seasons 2 and 3. The project features new young actors voicing main characters like Eleven and Hopper, amid concerns about potential plot holes in the franchise's timeline. The series is slated to premiere in 2026.
Overview of Tales From ’85
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is an animated spinoff that picks up in early 1985, during the winter in Hawkins, shortly after the events of Season 2. The story follows the young gang as they uncover lingering threats from the Upside Down, including a new variation on the demogorgon. Unlike the live-action parent series, this installment adopts a style reminiscent of 1980s cartoons, similar to Netflix's Arcane, as explained by the Duffer Brothers in a promotional video.
The footage teases the kids engaging in typical hijinks before facing supernatural dangers, emphasizing the period between Seasons 2 and 3. Season 2 concluded around Halloween 1984 with Eleven closing the gate to the Upside Down, though it hinted at the Mind Flayer's return. Season 3 unfolds in summer 1985, paying off that tease, so Tales From ’85 fills a gap by exploring winter events that could impact the canon.
Casting and Production Details
To suit the animated format and the characters' younger ages, Netflix has recast seven main roles with new voice actors:
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max
- Luca Diaz as Mike
- Ej (Elisha) Williams as Lucas
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin
- Ben Plessala as Will
- Brett Gipson as Hopper
The voice cast also includes Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips in undisclosed roles. This recasting addresses factors like scheduling, costs, and the original actors aging out of the parts.
Timeline and Potential Issues
The spinoff premieres on Netflix in 2026. It arrives as Stranger Things Season 5 begins its rollout: Volume 1 on Thanksgiving 2025, Volume 2 on Christmas Day, and Volume 3 on New Year’s Eve. While expanding the franchise, Tales From ’85 risks creating plot holes, as Season 3 makes no reference to these 1985 winter events. The series must balance high stakes with consistency to avoid contradictions in the established narrative. Success could lead to more spinoffs, given timeline gaps like the eight months between Seasons 3 and 4, though the Duffer Brothers note future projects will have limited ties to main characters.