'Stranger Things' animated spinoff series drops new teaser and release date
The 'Tales From '85 spin-off will follow Eleven, Mike and the rest of the Hawkins gang as they confront new monsters of the Upside Down
Though the Netflix sci-fi juggernaut recently said goodbye after five seasons (here's everything that went down in that action-packed series finale, BTW), the "Stranger Things" universe isn't closing for good. A brand-new Hawkins, Indiana-set spinoff is officially heading to the streaming service, and fans of Eleven and Co. just got a much-anticipated early look at the new series.
In case you missed it, "Stranger Things: Tales From '85" — one of the upcoming "Stranger Things" spinoffs, along with an untitled live-action series that the Duffer Brothers teased during the press tour for season 5 — is an animated series that will take place between seasons 2 and 3 of the original show. And it looks like we don't have to wait too long to reunite with characters we already know and love (but with an animated twist), as Netflix announced today that the series will premiere on Thursday, April 23.
That date announcement comes courtesy a brand-new trailer dropped by the streamer on Monday, February 2, a two-minute clip bringing Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Steve, Natalie and even more supernatural forces back to our screens — albeit voiced by different actors than the O.G. "Stranger Things" cast — all set to the tune of Naked Eyes' "Always Something There to Remind Me."
"In the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading," reads the official synopsis. "Our heroes Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have settled back into a normal life of D&D, snowball fights, and quiet days. But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down? From the depths of Hawkins Lab? Or from somewhere else entirely? Our heroes must race to solve this mystery and save Hawkins in this untold story set in the 'Stranger Things' universe."
As mentioned, new actors are being brought into the "Stranger Things" fold to voice its characters in 'Tales of '85"; they include Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha "EJ" Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Benjamin Plessala as Will, Brett Gipson as Hopper, and Jeremy Jordan as Steve. Rounding out the ensemble are Janeane Garofalo, Lou Diamond Phillips and "Marty Supreme" star Odessa A'zion in undisclosed roles.
Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all things related to the Duffer Brothers' "Stranger Things" universe, including "Tales of '85" and all other planned spinoff series, new teaser trailers, character details, behind-the-scenes intel and more.
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Christina Izzo is a writer-editor covering culture, food and drink, travel and general lifestyle in New York City. She was previously the Deputy Editor at My Imperfect Life, the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York.
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