Stranger Things is easily one of Netflix's most popular original series, so it's no surprise that the streaming gant has re-upped it for a fourth season. While it was widely expected, the official announcement came today alongside the first teaser for new season, which will seemingly take the story outside of Hawkins, Indiana.
"We're not in Hawkins anymore," the teaser for Season 4 hints. This makes sense given the ending of Season 3, which saw Joyce, Jonathan, Will, and Eleven leave Hawkins. Exactly where Season 4 will take us remains to be seen, but we'll almost certainly return, at some point, to the Upside Down.
The Upside Down is actually the focus of the teaser, and for good reason too. Many fans believe Hopper stepped into the gate before the giant explosion and is now trapped in the alternate dimension. A post-credits teaser at the end of the season also hinted that he may be alive, but being kept prisoner in the Soviet Union. One thing is almost certain though, he's probably not dead - especially if you heard
the secret phone message from Murray Bauman.
The Duffer Brothers previously explored life outside of Hawkins when Eleven went on a bit of a road trip to Chicago in Season 2. While that episode wasn't met with the greatest reception, the show's creators seem keen on opening up the series.
“I think the biggest thing that’s going to happen is it’s going to open up a little bit, not necessarily in terms of scale, in terms of special effects, but open up in terms of allowing plotlines into areas outside of Hawkins,” Matt Duffer told EW in July shortly after Season 3's debut.
The official Season 4 announcement also coincides with a new multi-year TV/film deal between Netflix and the Duffer Brothers.
“We are absolutely thrilled to continue our relationship with Netflix. Ted Sarandos, Cindy Holland, Brian Wright, and Matt Thunell took a huge chance on us and our show — and forever changed our lives,” The Duffer Brothers said.
“From our first pitch meeting to the release of Stranger Things 3, the entire team at Netflix has been nothing short of sensational, providing us with the kind of support, guidance, and creative freedom we always dreamed about. We can’t wait to tell many more stories together — beginning, of course, with a return trip to Hawkins!”
Stranger Things Season 4 does not yet have a premiere date.