Of all of the TV collection to have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, maybe the one which followers are most itching to see return to our screens is Netflix‘s sci-fi hit Stranger Issues – and the excellent news is that manufacturing has now resumed on the present’s fourth run.
Favorite characters together with Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), Robin (Maya Hawke) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) have already been photographed on set, and we now know that they’ll be joined by a complete host of latest additions for the following chapter.
Earlier stories hinted that Levon Thurman-Hawke – the brother of solid member Maya – could also be becoming a member of the solid, however up to now his identify has not been confirmed.
As an alternative, eight new stars have been introduced by Netflix, with these becoming a member of the present together with Booksmart’s Eduardo Franco and Robert Englund – the actor finest recognized for taking part in iconic slasher villain Freddy Krueger within the Nightmare on Elm Road franchise.
With manufacturing underway, we’d hope season 4 could be touchdown on our screens quickly – nevertheless it doesn’t look as if that would be the case, in accordance with Natalia Dyer, who performs Nancy Wheeler.
The Stranger Things star said it’ll be “a while” before season four is released, telling Vogue: “It should undoubtedly be value it. It’s going to be actually huge.”
Wish to know extra about season 4’s predicted launch date and who’ll be returning for the present’s fourth outing? Learn on for theories, solid updates, hints and predictions!
*Warning: spoilers forward for Stranger Issues seasons one-three*
When is Stranger Issues season 4’s Netflix launch date?
Whereas filming on Stranger Issues season 4 has lastly resumed filming, Netflix has not but confirmed the upcoming collection’ launch date – though it doesn’t appear to be it’ll be arriving earlier than the top of subsequent 12 months.
In March, David Harbour (Hopper) revealed throughout an Instagram Q&A that season 4 was “supposed to return out early subsequent 12 months”, however that the discharge date would “most likely be pushed again” in wake of the virus – so it’s impossible that we’ll be seeing season 4 earlier than at the least July 2021.
Whereas manufacturing on season 4 initially started in February, because of COVID-19, filming was rapidly suspended a month later – however lastly firstly of October, the Stranger Issues’ Twitter account introduced that the solid and crew had been again on set with a photograph of a clapper-board, captioned: “In the meantime within the the other way up…”
in the meantime within the the other way up… pic.twitter.com/BtPlMjy0pS
— Stranger Issues (@Stranger_Things) October 1, 2020
Hopefully we received’t have to attend too lengthy for capturing to complete – all of season 4’s scripts are able to go in accordance with the Stranger Writers Twitter account, which posted an image of them with the caption: “The entire season”.
It’s exhausting to inform simply from the scripts within the image, but it surely seems to be as if we will anticipate season 4 to encompass 9 episodes – following a sample of eight episodes in season one and three, and 9 episodes in season two and 4.
Stranger Issues 4: the whole season. #ST4 pic.twitter.com/DAjQFnPVGq
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) June 18, 2020
And in accordance with Stranger Issues star Natalia Dyer, the scripts will likely be definitely worth the wait. The actor, who performs Nancy Wheeler, not too long ago revealed that season 4 is about to be “actually huge”.
“Actually, the scripts are nice. I’m very excited. I’m excited for Nancy. Each time we finish a season, all of us assume, the place is that this going to go? The place can this probably go?” she advised Vogue. “Then we get the scripts for the following season and we’re, like, ‘Oh my God, wow, like, wow!’”
Nonetheless, she added that it’s “going to be some time” earlier than season 4 comes out, however “it would undoubtedly be value it”.
Filming for earlier seasons has usually taken between six and 7 months to finish, whereas 4 months are often required for post-production, in accordance with Collider.
A summer season 2021 launch date would due to this fact make sense contemplating Stranger Issues’ monitor document – season one got here out in July 2016, season two was launched in October 2017 and season three got here out in July 2019.
This prediction falls in line the present’s IMDb page, which says the primary episode will likely be launched in 2021. The web page additionally reveals that episode one is titled: “Chapter One: The Hellfire Membership”, whereas the tagline for the episode reads, “We’re not in Hawkins anymore” – a reference to The Wizard of Oz.
Now that filming is lastly underway, hopefully we’ll be seeing the Hawkins gang once more within the near-future.
Stranger Issues season 4 solid
There have been just a few casualties within the final episode of season three. Billy (Dacre Montgomery) is actually lifeless (or as sure we will be that anybody is lifeless in Stranger Issues), and is unlikely to return for a fourth run, until as a part of a cameo, à la Sean Astin’s Bob – or in the event that they do a flashback of some kind?
We should always anticipate to see many of the principal solid again for season 4, together with Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven, Finn Wolfhard’s Mike, Winona Ryder’s Joyce, Noah Schnapp’s Will, Caleb Mclaughlin’s Lucas, Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin, Natalia Dyer’s Nancy, Charlie Heaton’s Jonathan, Maya Hawke’s Robin and Joe Keery’s Steve.
Variety additionally reported that Priah Ferguson, who performs Lucas’s sister Erica (of “you’ll be able to’t spell America with out Erica” fame), has been promoted to collection common for season 4.
And in March 2020, it was confirmed that Fleabag star Brett Gelman had additionally been upped to collection common. The actor performs eccentric non-public investigator Murray Bauman, who helped get justice for Barb in season two and acted as a Russian translator in season three (RIP Alexei).
In November Netflix formally introduced a complete host of latest faces for the brand new collection, with three new collection common solid members becoming a member of in addition to some big-name recurring stars.
The brand new regulars embody Booksmart star Eduardo Franco as Argyle, who’s described as “Jonathan’s new finest pal, a fun-loving stoner who proudly delivers scrumptious pizza pies for Surfer Boy Pizza” and Sweeney Todd star Jamie Campbell Bower as Peter Ballard – “a caring man who works as an orderly at a psychiatric hospital.”
They’re joined by Joseph Quinn, who has beforehand been seen on Catherine the Nice and Howards Finish, enjoying Eddie Munson, “an audacious 80’s metalhead who runs The Hellfire Membership, Hawkins Excessive’s official D&D membership.”
Amongst these to play recurring roles is none apart from Freddy Kreuger himself, Robert Englund – and it seems to be like he could also be inspiring simply as many nightmares in Stranger Issues, along with his character Victor Creel described as “a disturbed and intimidating man who’s imprisoned in a psychiatric hospital for a ugly homicide within the Nineteen Fifties.”
The opposite new recurring stars embody Tom Wlaschiha (finest often called Jaqen H’ghar in Sport of Thrones) as a Russian jail guard who befriends Hopper, Sherman Augustus (Westworld) as an clever, no-nonsense man who believes he is aware of how you can cease the evil in Hawkins and Nikola Djuricko (Genius) as a seedy and unpredictable Russian smuggler who loves dangerous jokes, chilly exhausting money, and crunchy type peanut butter.
Lastly, Bosch star Mason Dye performs Jason Carver, whose official character description reads, “Jason seemingly has all of it — he’s good-looking, he’s wealthy, he’s a sports activities star, and he’s courting the preferred lady in class. However as a brand new evil threatens Hawkins, Jason’s good world begins to unravel…”
In the meantime, eagle-eyed followers have noticed just a few new solid members on set – together with Levon Thurman Hawke, the youthful brother of Maya Hawke (Robin).
Whereas Netflix declined to touch upon the rumours, Thurman was noticed on-set with Joe Keery (Steve Harrington) in October.
What is going to occur in Stranger Issues season 4?
Whereas the Duffer Brothers have given little or no away concerning the upcoming collection, the Stranger Issues writers have been teasing just a few (probably jokey) particulars through their Twitter account together with what could be just a few of the season 4 episode titles.
When followers requested the account for any teasers as to what episodes two and three are titled, the writers responded: “Tick Tok Mr Clock” and “You Snooze You Lose” respectively.
You by no means know with the Stranger Writers’ account whether or not its tweets are real or simply jokes, however both method, the tweets actually sparked a dialogue amongst followers, with some newbie analysts suspecting that they may counsel some form of race towards time for our favorite Hawkins residents.
Nonetheless, they later tweeted what gave the impression to be a affirmation that the titles had been simply jokes to tease followers.
“Episode 4: Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey,” one other put up learn, earlier than the writers added: “That is known as hilarious comedy.”
The Stranger Writers account additionally not too long ago tweeted a pep rally poster from the present’s first day again filming, with the phrases, “Assist your tigers!!” written.
We’re undecided what this may imply, apart from the truth that one in all Hawkins crew might have taken up basketball – both method, we’re excited to see if one thing dramatic occurs on the potential pep rally.
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) October 1, 2020
In addition to tying up unfastened ends, a fourth run might open up new prospects for the present: for example, to accommodate the present’s quickly-ageing younger solid, might Stranger Issues 4 be set a number of years after season three?
In February 2020, TVLine‘s Michael Ausiello reported that season 4 might encompass 9 episodes, one more than initially planned. He additionally stated {that a} “fan-favourite character might have his/her origin story advised in a single (or extra) of these 9 episodes.”
This “fan-favourite” is prone to be Hopper, after David Harbour promised followers at Liverpool Comedian Con in March a “big, huge reveal” about his character’s backstory within the upcoming season.
Harbour added that its his “favorite factor” about Hopper that followers are but to seek out out about him, but it surely’s associated to the three containers discovered by Eleven in Hopper’s attic that are labelled ‘Dad’, ‘Vietnam’ and ‘New York’.
What’s extra, apparently the upcoming season is set to be the scariest so far – in accordance with Keery, who performs Steve Harrington. The actor advised Total Film, “I believe that this 12 months — and I do know I say this each single 12 months — however that is undoubtedly going to be so much scarier than prior years, as a result of final 12 months was fairly darkish.”
This was echoed by Stranger Issues’ stunt boss Hiro Koda in late Might, who advised ComicBook.com that season 4 will likely be “darker”.
“There’s numerous nice surprises and all of your favorite persons are in it,” he stated. “It’s going to be so good. It’s so epic.”
Whereas the Stranger Issues crew have given little away by way of the upcoming season’s plot, its spin-off comedian e-book might have not too long ago teased a possible storyline involving Steve (Joe Keery), Robin (Maya Hawke), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Erica (Priah Ferguson).
Within the comedian, Erica begins promoting inexperienced acid she smuggled out of the Russian lab on the finish of season three, forcing the opposite three to intervene earlier than she will get herself into bother. Whereas the plot doesn’t appear significantly dramatic for the small display, hopefully it’s suggesting that we’re going to see extra of the fan-favourite foursome in season 4.
By way of theories for season 4, we don’t know a lot about newcomer Robin’s background, so she could possibly be an excellent guess. Or maybe we’ll learn the way former journalist turned non-public investigator Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) grew to become the bunker-living, vodka-drinking and Russian-speaking sleuth he’s immediately. This appears particularly doubtless now that Gelman has been upped to collection common.
Is there a Stranger Issues season 4 trailer?
Apart from the Valentine’s Day teaser, a full-length trailer is but to land. Nonetheless, Netflix did release a table read video with footage of the solid.
It doesn’t give something away plot-wise, but it surely’s good to see the solid having enjoyable whereas the remainder of us eagerly await information from the the other way up.
Stranger Issues season 4 filming
Manufacturing on season 4 of Stranger Issues has been lastly resumed, with the solid and crew filming in Atlanta, Georgia.
Filming initially started in February, with stunt boss Hira Koda telling ComicBook.com in Might that the Stranger Issues crew had managed to movie two episodes of season 4 earlier than the coronavirus pandemic shut down manufacturing in March.
“We did three weeks of capturing once we shut down, just about together with the whole trade,” Matt Duffer revealed in an interview with Deadline..
This was echoed by star Gaten Matarazzo, who performs Dustin within the collection. While on a panel for Galaxycon Stay, he stated: “We had been in the course of filming [season] 4 after which they stated, ‘Nope!’ They stated two-week break, and we’ve been gone for 3 months.”
Seven months after manufacturing was shut down, the solid and crew are again on monitor – so RadioTimes.com predicts season 4 will likely be touchdown on Netflix subsequent 12 months.
Will season 4 be the ultimate season of Stranger Issues?
The present is prone to proceed for longer than its initially deliberate four season-run. Producer Shawn Levy later stated that enthusiasm from Netflix and its little one stars might properly have convinced them to go on for one more season after that, too.
“The reality is we’re undoubtedly going 4 seasons and there’s very a lot the potential of a fifth,” Levy stated. “Past that, it turns into I believe impossible.”
The creators echoed these statements when chatting with The Hollywood Reporter in August, saying that season 4 “received’t be the top”.
“We all know what the top is, and we all know when it’s,” Ross Duffer stated. “[The pandemic] has given us time to look forward, determine what’s finest for the present. Beginning to fill that out gave us a greater thought of how lengthy we have to inform that story.”
“We’ve had much more time to work on the scripts,” he added. “For the primary time, we’ve got all of the scripts written and we’re in a position to take a look at it as a complete piece and make changes.”
With Stranger Issues being one of many hottest properties that Netflix has in its Originals arsenal and the streaming wars beginning to scorching up with the doorway of Apple TV, Disney+, HBO Max and NBC into the on demand market, it seems like they might be on the lookout for causes to hold onto the present for so long as potential – and maintain maintain of the military of followers that comes with it.
Talking on Lorraine in February 2020, star Noah Schnapp (AKA Will Byers) stated that he was “positive” there could be one other season after the fourth.
“I don’t know if I can say, however from what I believe… as a result of they haven’t actually advised me something,” he stated. “I don’t know what I can’t say both. I’m positive there will likely be one other one after that. I can’t think about that is the final… I really feel like we’d know if this was. I don’t need it to finish!”
And not too long ago Finn Wolfhard advised The Hollywood Reporter his character Mike Wheeler would “by no means go away him” and that there was nonetheless an extended strategy to go on the present.
He stated, “What I believe is so nice about Stranger Issues is it has the Harry Potter impact — the place you’ll be able to see how the characters and the actors develop up over time. The character is part of me.
“Undoubtedly when Stranger Issues ends, it’s not going to really feel prefer it didn’t occur or that Mike isn’t part of me nonetheless. I believe I will likely be able to say goodbye however it is going to be bittersweet.
“However we nonetheless have quite a lot of work to do with Stranger Issues.”
Millie Bobby Brown (who performs Eleven) stated she was “p***ed” by her character’s departure from Hawkins with the Byers (via The Evening Standard) – however added that the emotional goodbye scene might assist foreshadow the top of the present.
She stated, “I often am the one who’s crying in each single scene and the children must cope with me listening to [sad] music they usually’re like, ‘Oh God.’ I assumed, are all of us going to go off and take heed to music [to prepare for the scene]? After which one of many children was like, ‘Think about if we’ve got to do that for actual in the future’. And we had been like, ‘What do you imply?’.
“They usually had been like, ‘What if, when Stranger Issues is over, we’ll all must say goodbye to one another and, like, that is it’.
“And all of us began crying after which they rolled digicam and stated motion. And that was it. All of us began saying goodbye to one another. We felt too actual.”
Is Hopper alive? Who’s “The American”?
On the finish of season three, David Harbour’s Chief Hopper was apparently killed after Joyce destroyed the important thing to the Upside Down, however the put up titles scene referencing “The American” in a Russian jail saved hope alive for followers.
Nonetheless, Netflix’s Valentine’s Day trailer for season 4 of Stranger Issues confirmed Chief Hopper was alive, and in a jail camp in Russia.
Netflix revealed: “He’s imprisoned removed from house within the snowy wasteland of Kamchatka, the place he’ll face risks each human…and different. In the meantime, again within the states, a brand new horror is starting to floor, one thing lengthy buried, one thing that connects all the things….”
How lengthy he’s been there and what’s been occurring is but to be revealed. However for now the thriller of whether or not Hopper is lifeless or alive seems to have been solved.
Moreover, in Might 2020 video footage surfaced of Harbour teasing a bit more about what was coming for the character in season four, hinting that his Hopper’s previous will likely be explored in higher depth and that a large secret will come to mild – apparently one for which some clues have already been laid out.
Within the footage, which originated from Liverpool Comedian-Con in early March, Harbour stated, “There are these three issues that we’ve established within the season that if we don’t repay, it signifies that they’re dangerous writers. And the Duffer brothers are excellent writers.
“I do know particularly that in season 4 we will provide you with an enormous, large reveal about Hopper’s backstory.”
He added: “I’m so enthusiastic about revealing this facet of the character. It’s one of many issues that I’ve recognized for the reason that first body of the primary shot, and we haven’t expressed it but. And at last, we’re gonna specific it in an enormous method.
“It’s my favorite factor about him that you simply guys don’t learn about him but, but it surely has to do with these backstories of New York, Vietnam, and Dad. And I’m actually excited for you guys to know extra about that, and it relates, in fact, to issues he’s doing with Eleven and Joyce and issues like that.”
In a separate interview he teased some “Indiana Jones-type” motion scenes for his character.
Chatting with Deadline, he stated: “I’m actually excited to let individuals see these actually deep colors in him. Every season we see a special aspect of him. Final season was… a bit wackier, and I cherished enjoying that.
“Now [in season four] he’s painted in a little bit of a darker palette; he’s in a position to specific a few of these actually deep issues that we’ve… hinted at with the containers in season two. It’s very epic. There are monsters and horror and scares,” he teased. “There’s additionally some nice Indiana Jones-type motion.”
Properly, as if we weren’t excited sufficient for season 4 already…
Stranger Issues season 4 theories
Stranger Issues season 4 has quite a lot of inquiries to reply – what’s going on at that Russian base? How did they pay money for a Demogorgon? How did Hopper survive the explosion on the finish of season 3? Are Eleven’s powers actually gone for good?
With little or no to go on from the Duffer Brothers, followers have been pondering of their very own theories for season 4.
How did Hopper survive the explosion?
Some followers consider that the Hopper seen in season 4’s teaser trailer being compelled into guide labour in Russia shouldn’t be the actual Hopper, however really a clone of the detective. This idea relies on Billy Hargrove’s encounter with a clone of himself within the Upside Down throughout season three, when the Thoughts Flayer had planted a part of itself inside him and Billy grew to become underneath its management. The same factor occurred to Will Byers in season 2 – so might or not it’s potential that the Hopper in Russia is definitely a clone being managed by the Thoughts Flayer?
It is not Hopper, individuals. It is a clone.
That is Stranger Issues we’re speaking about.
— Ishkur (@Ishkur23) February 14, 2020
Different followers are satisfied that when Hopper was trapped between the gate to the the other way up and a beam of sunshine, he managed to flee earlier than Joyce destroyed the portal. It is because when the digicam lower from Joyce to the portal exploding, Hopper was not the place he had been within the brief earlier than. It’s potential that Hopper discovered a ladder resulting in a protected space and since he was already sporting a Russian uniform, the opposite Russian officers might have discovered him and brought him again to Russia.
One other idea means that Hopper travelled by way of the portal when the explosion occurred and have become trapped within the Upside Down. He was then discovered by the Russian crew, who had constructed one other portal to the Upside Down to seek out one other Thoughts Flayer, and subsequently imprisoned.
Will Joyce and Murray save Hopper?
Some followers are satisfied that Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) will likely be heading to Russia in season 4 to rescue Hopper.
After Ryder and Bauman had been reportedly noticed filming in Lithuania, Redditor killthemwithcoffee is satisfied that the pair, who spent nearly all of season three with Hopper, will likely be executing a rescue mission throughout season 4.
There have been hints that the story will transfer past Hawkins, with co-showrunner Matt Duffer not too long ago telling EW that the fourth season might see plotlines shifting “into areas outdoors of Hawkins”. In response to Deadline, Netflix moved filming from Atlanta to New Mexico, which suggests a change of setting could be on the playing cards.
Ross Duffer added a couple of fourth run: “It’s going to really feel very totally different than this season. However I believe that’s the proper factor to do and I believe it’ll be thrilling.”
The tagline for this season additionally seems to be: “We’re not in Hawkins anymore” – suggesting that this season will likely be geographically larger than its predecessors.
Nonetheless, followers are additionally guessing that Murray would be the subsequent character to die this season, after the demise of Alexei, a Russian technician arrested by Hopper who turns into mates with Murray.
Redditor Tesgoul posted: “I believe the following one to die is Murray. His demise will likely be unhappy, however not an excessive amount of as a result of he’s form of a aspect character. He’s the right goal.”
“Bear in mind in season two when he had already suspected a Russian invasion in Hawkins method earlier than everybody else discovered about it?” they continued. “Possibly that doesn’t depend, however he was there within the mall when the Russians took away Hopper, and now with the voicemail for Joyce there’s an opportunity he discovered or goes to determine what the Russians have achieved with Hopper as properly.”
They concluded: “The man is aware of method an excessive amount of concerning the enemy.”
Will Jonathan and Will’s dad be again for season 4?
A number of Stranger Followers viewers are satisfied that Jonathan and Will Byers’ dad, Lonnie Byers (Ross Partridge) will return for the upcoming season after seeing him at a desk studying for season 4.
Reddit person LastWarrior24 posted a photograph from the video, showing to indicate Partridge on the desk learn. Might Lonnie grow to be an even bigger a part of the Byer children’ lives now that the Byers have moved out of Hawkins? Might he grow to be one other antagonist that Joyce has to cope with this season?
Will Dr Owens return?
There are followers that consider Dr. Sam Owens (Paul Reiser) from season two might return for season 4. The final time we noticed the scientist, Hopper and Joyce had advised him that Russians had been trying to reopen the Gate beneath Starcourt Mall final season.
“I suspect Owens might return as a part of the Joyce rescues Hopper plotline, as will Murray, however I doubt it’s due to her precise job. She has no formal training past high college I don’t assume,” one fan wrote, in accordance with News Lanes.
“They may nonetheless control her in different methods. Owens and Joyce belief one another now, simply as Hopper did, after all the things that occurred so I think about if something he could be extra prone to persuade the federal government to go away her alone.”
Will Owens assist to retrieve Hopper from the Russians? Or will he withhold info and canopy up the Russian conspiracy?
Stranger Issues season 4 teasers
In Might, the Stranger Issues writers posted a series of cryptic tweets in response to followers asking for spoilers.
The Stranger Issues Writers’ Room account tweeted an emoji with a hand over its mouth, and one other of a blushing face.
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) May 18, 2020
The account additionally tweeted an image of the gang within the Starcourt Mall through the closing episode, with the mysterious caption: “Are the children alright?”
are the children alright? pic.twitter.com/JJ28V0Vza5
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) May 18, 2020
The writers additionally up to date viewers on what jock-turned-Scoops-Ahoy-employee could be thus far, writing: “Steve is doing his personal factor, you recognize, working with Robin and never ingesting sufficient water as a result of he will get distracted simply and forgets the place he put his drink.”
Stranger Issues season 4 has been delayed, however seasons one-three are now available on Netflix. In case you’re on the lookout for extra to observe, take a look at our TV Guide.
