Stranger Things returns as Netflix officially drops teaser trailer for new series

Stranger Things is officially set to return, with Netflix having now confirmed a prequel series titled Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure.

This is due to be a fully-fledged live-action series, so we're not talking another animated spin-off in the style of Tales From '85.

Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure will premiere on the streamer in 2028, with Matt and Ross Duffer returning as co-creators and Kate Trefry as showrunner and executive producer.

The series is in safe hands then, as Trefry was a writer on all five seasons of Stranger Things and penned the very good Stranger Things: The First Shadow play.

It's interesting that the Duffers and Trefry have opted for a prequel. Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure will see us depart Hawkins and shift our focus to Marion in the year 1955.

The brief teaser trailer shows an abandoned bike and radio outside of a fenced off restricted area, with the camera panning to a warning sign that reads that access is prohibited with "deadly force authorised" should anyone be caught trying to get inside.

You can briefly see the extensive lighting of whatever this particular secret facility is in the distance, showing it to be quite a large operation.

The trademark Stranger Things font then surfaces as we see, "April 19, 1955, Marion, Nevada." This is followed by a brief strike or explosion of some sort in the sky, although it boasts a blue hue rather than the Upside Down's trademark red.

The title of the series is then confirmed to be Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure with a launch year of 2028 following.

Watch the full teaser trailer for Stranger Things prequel Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure below

“We’ve been dreaming of Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure for many years now, and to see it become a reality is surreal and exhilarating,” say Matt and Ross Duffer in a statement. “It’s Stranger Things, but also thrillingly fresh, with a new setting, new heroes and villains, and new … actually, we’re not allowed to say any more. Now, on to casting. In the meantime — watch the skies, nerds!”

It's been confirmed that Other Worlds will film in New Mexico. BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning director Joe Wright will direct the first three episodes, whose credits include the likes of Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, and Darkest Hour.

Trefy has shared her joy at returning to this world: “The Duffer Brothers gave me my first paying job in Hollywood, and it has been a joy and a fever dream ever since. Now, it is my insane honour and privilege to be bringing this new chapter of Stranger Things to life alongside them and our incredible director, Joe Wright. With the support of Netflix and 21 Laps, we have had the time of our lives returning to all the horror, wonder and mystery of the flagship, while also telling a wholly new story, one we hope will blow your minds and break your hearts all over again. There are so many more mysteries to explore. Welcome to Other Worlds.”

READ MORE: Why Stranger Things' Jamie Campbell Bower is Perfect For Elden Ring Movie

There's already a clear link between Other Worlds and The First Shadow

Given that Other Worlds is set in 1955, that means it even predates the aforementioned The First Shadow stage show, so it's safe to say that we're not dealing with Henry Creel or Vecna here. We could be dealing with Dimension X though, known more widely in Stranger Things 5 as The Abyss.

In The First Shadow, it's in Nevada that young Henry first encounters Dimension X after bumping into a scientist who had been part of a government group experimenting with the alien realm.

It's 1955 that this happens too, the same year Other Worlds is set. Our prediction is that we'll focus on these early Dimension X experiments with perhaps some local Nevada kids, aside from Henry Creel, also finding themselves caught up in strange happenings.

Let's just hope the gaps between seasons are shorter this time around.