The cast and creators of Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things.'.Photo:Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix

Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix
It’s the beginning of the end for theStranger Thingscrew!
On Monday, Netflix revealed that production on the fifth and final season of the beloved sci-fi show has begun.
The cast of ‘Stranger Things’ at the season 4 premiere in May 2022.Roy Rochlin/Getty

Roy Rochlin/Getty
Also in the cast picture are starsCaleb McLaughlin,Gaten Matarazzo,Noah Schnapp,Joe Keery,Maya Hawke,Natalia Dyer,Charlie Heaton,Sadie Sink,Priah Ferguson,Cara Buono, Amybeth McNulty,Brett GelmanandFinn Wolfhard, who appears to be holding a script.
The shot also included series creatorsthe Duffer brothersandJamie Campbell Bower, who joined the cast in season 4 as new Big BadVecna.
The photo did not include any new faces, staying true to the Duffer brothers plan to resist adding new characters to theStranger Thingsuniverse in the series’ final season. (Although it was announced last June thatTerminatorstarLinda Hamilton will be joining the castfor its final batch of episodes.)

In August 2022, shortly after season 4 released, the showrunners confirmed toIndiewirethatthey are being particularly mindful about wrapping up the existing characters’ stories.
“We’re doing our best to resist [adding new characters] for season 5,” Matt Duffer, 39, said at the time, noting that they are “trying not to do that so we can focus on the OG characters, I guess.”
His twin Ross added, “We’ve got a great cast of characters here, and actors, and any moment we’re spending with a new character, we’re taking time away from one of the other actors.”
The Duffers have also teased their endgame for the show in previous interviews and — put simply — it sounds emotional.
In a conversation withTheWrapin May 2022, Ross revealed that some Netflix executives actually became emotional when they shared their plans for the final season.
“We do have an outline for season 5 and we pitched it to Netflix and they really responded well to it,” he said at the time. “I mean, it was hard. It’s the end of the story. I saw executives crying who I’ve never seen cry before and it was wild.”
Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin in ‘Stranger Things’ season 2.Stranger Things Season 2

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Although season 5 will be the final season ofStranger Things, Netflix has additional projects in theStranger Thingsuniverse in the works, includingan animated spinoff showandprequel playStranger Things: The First Shadow, which debuted on London’s West End in December.
Stranger Thingsseasons 1 through 4 are currently streaming on Netflix.
source: people.com