Picture Credit: Netflix
It’s time to grab your wrist rockets and bundle up. Netflix has officially lifted the veil on the highly anticipated animated spin-off, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, confirming an April 2026 release date, a massive voice cast reveal including Jeremy Jordan, and a first look at the frozen horrors awaiting Hawkins.
While fans have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter of the Stranger Things universe, Netflix has dropped a treasure trove of information regarding the animated series produced by Flying Bark Productions (Glitch Techs, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), who are also hard at work on three more Netflix series: Ghostbusters, Minecraft, and Clash of Clans.
Here is everything we know about the new series arriving this spring.
When will ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ release on Netflix?
Netflix has confirmed that the series will premiere globally on April 23, 2026.
What is the plot of ‘Tales From ’85’?
As the title suggests, the series takes place in the Winter of 1985. This places the timeline firmly between Season 2 and Season 3.
Set months after the Mind Flayer’s possession of Will (Season 2) but before the chaotic Summer of ’85 and the Battle of Starcourt (Season 3), this series captures a “lost chapter” of the saga while the whole gang is still together in Hawkins.
The updated official synopsis provided by Netflix reads:
“Return to Hawkins with Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an exciting new animated series from Showrunner Eric Robles and Executive Producers the Duffer Brothers. In the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading.
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.”
A new first look today also gives us our first look at Nikki Baxter, a new character who will be joining our main heroes throughout the two seasons of Tales from ’85. She sports a pink mohawk and has a cool connection to the world of Hawkins that will be revealed soon. At Annecy, Nikki was referred to as a “tinkerer.” If I had to make a comparison, Nikki is a mix of Zarya from Overwatch and Vi from Arcane.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (L to R) Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Benjamin Plessala as Will, Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven and Luca Diaz as Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2026
Showrunner and Executive Producer Eric Robles spoke to Netflix about the unique opportunity animation provides to fill in the gaps of the timeline:
“We get to spend time with these kids in a way that you did not have time to in the flagship series. We were able to freeze time and really go on these never before told adventures with them in this timeline.”
However, Robles warned that just because it is animated, fans shouldn’t expect a safety net. “We want the audience to feel that these kids are in danger, the stakes are real, and bad things can happen to anyone,” Robles said. “And things do happen that are very scary in a sense, so that really makes the danger for the kids that much more tangible.”
The Voice Cast Update: Jeremy Jordan is Steve Harrington
Perhaps the biggest news of the day is the casting announcement. While the characters are familiar, a new roster of voice talent is stepping into the sneakers of the Hawkins crew.
Netflix has announced that Broadway and TV star Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, Supergirl) will be providing the voice for everyone’s favorite babysitter, Steve Harrington.
The main party includes:
- 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
Rounding out the cast are Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper, alongside notable names Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips in undisclosed roles.
More voice cast members are yet to be officially announced, including the big names lined up for Nikki and Nancy, plus some other characters yet to be unveiled.
Are you excited to return to the Upside Down this April? Let us know in the comments below! Here are all the new first looks:
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (L to R) Luca Diaz as Mike and Brett Gipson as Hopper in Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2026
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (L to R) Jeremy Jordan as Steve and Braxton Quinney as Dustin in Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2026
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (L to R) Elisha Williams as Lucas and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max in Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2026
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2026
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Benjamin Plessala as Will in Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2026
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2026
