Stranger Things Spinoff Rewrites Main Show With New Character

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Although Season 5 concluded the main story of Stranger Things, the world isn’t finished. A new show is being created that builds on the original, and even revisits some of its events. While the first four seasons of Stranger Things were a hit with fans, the fifth season proved divisive due to some unexpected choices.

Even though people have different opinions about the fifth season, Stranger Things remains a truly exceptional and incredibly popular show for Netflix. Because of its success, the creators are continuing to explore this world with Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, a new animated series that takes place before the events of the main show.

The new book, Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, will be released on April 23, 2026. Early details suggest it will expand on the main Stranger Things story by introducing a brand new character and exploring events from a fresh perspective.

Tales From ’85 Is Already Retconning Stranger Things

As the title suggests, Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 takes place in 1985, fitting into the show’s storyline between seasons 2 and 3. Specifically, it’s set after Eleven returns and reconnects with her friends, and after Max joins the group, but before the events involving the Starcourt Mall and the discovery of the Russian base beneath it.

In Tales from ‘85, Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max confront fresh threats from the Upside Down while working together to solve a new supernatural puzzle. The story introduces Nikki Baxter, a new character voiced by Odessa A’zion, who is a 14-year-old transfer student from the East Coast and hasn’t appeared in Stranger Things before.

Eric Robles, the creator of the show, describes Nikki as a kind and loyal character who isn’t afraid to stand up to bullies, using her impressive size and edgy style to do so. While it’s fun to meet a new character connected to Stranger Things, Nikki’s introduction feels out of place because the established characters never mentioned her before.

Nikki’s story, combined with the introduction of completely new creatures from the Upside Down, creates a tricky situation for Tales from ‘85. It both changes and adds to the original Stranger Things story, but it also runs the risk of feeling separate from the main universe instead of being a natural extension of it.

Stranger Things’ Animated Spinoff Is Targeting A New Generation of Fans

Nikki wasn’t brought onto the show by chance. She’ll play a key role in Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 by helping new viewers discover the world of Stranger Things. The creators want her to act as a guide for those unfamiliar with the series.

Nikki is a newcomer to Hawkins, just like many viewers will be when they start watching Tales from ‘85. She’ll serve as our eyes and ears, offering a fresh perspective on everything happening. She arrives at a particularly strange time – Hawkins is full of monsters and secrets – and her presence is sure to change things up and challenge what people believe.

Nikki seems like she could be a significant character in Tales from ‘85, but it’s odd that she never appeared in the five seasons of Stranger Things. This makes us wonder how important she actually is to the overall story and what kind of impact she’ll have.

Tales From ’85 Won’t Be The Last Stranger Things Spinoff

Tales from ‘85 is the first show expanding the world of Stranger Things, and more spin-offs are planned. A live-action series is reportedly in the works, described by Finn Wolfhard as being similar to Twin Peaks, but with a different story each season.

Rumors suggest a potential anime spinoff called Stranger Things: Tokyo, but the Duffer Brothers and Netflix haven’t confirmed or addressed these claims. If the Tales from ‘85 series and the live-action spinoff are successful, Netflix will likely create more Stranger Things spinoffs. Hopefully, these new projects won’t change the original story.

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2026-02-25 00:59