After Netflix officially announced a fourth season for its hit sci-fi show
Stranger Things, TV Line has reported that the next season will consist of eight episodes.
As previously revealed by the Season 4 teaser,
Stranger Things will once again attempt to explore life outside of Hawkins; but, with a more tighter episode count will hopefully not suffer the same pacing issues as the second season. Season 4's length will be on par with the episode counts for the first and third seasons. Season 2 featured nine episodes, but many complained about the pacing of the season, specifically taking aim at the episode in which Elevn takes a road trip to Chicago.
“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 conclusion of Season 3 allowed for multiple paths out of Hawkins with Joyce, Jonathan, Will, and Eleven all leaving the small town. Then there's Hopper, who mysteriously vanished in the finale. Few fans refuse to believe he's actually dead and there were multiple clues — including a scene set in the Soviet Union — suggesting we haven't seen the last of him.
Unfortunately, it might be a while until we actually get answers. TV Line also reports that
Stranger Things Season 4 won't wrap filming until next August, meaning new episodes won't premiere until after summer 2020.
Previous reports claimed the new season wouldn't premiere until late 2020.
Netflix did not comment on the episode count for
Stranger Things Season 4.