Stranger Things S5: Production share update as filming hits halfway point
Season five will officially be the last
Stranger Things has had us all hooked since the first series, back in 2016. With each season proving more popular than the last, it came as no surprise that, after a three-year wait, series four broke streaming records - and left us all desperate for more. With cryptic posts on season five trickling in, bosses have now offered the biggest update so far - revealing filming is officially halfway through.
A month after revealing that Terminator legend Linda Hamilton is joining the cast for season five, bosses have taken to the show's social media accounts to share almost two minutes of behind the scenes footage, confirming that filming for the upcoming final season has hit the halfway point.
Bosses wrote: 'Take it all in, nerds…we’ve hit the halfway mark of filming the final season and wanted to give you all a look at what we’ve been up to'. (sic) Showing BTS footage of thrilling stunt scenes and detailed special effects, we also see the starring cast, as they share their thoughts on the upcoming fifth season.
Showing a sweet clip of Joe Keery (who playsSteve Harrington) and Maya Hawke (who plays Robin Buckley) on the first day of filming, we're then offered a shot of starring actress Millie Bobby Brown from season one, before watching her enter her trailer for season five filming - with her adding: 'So I started when I was 10 - I'm now turning 20-years-old... It feels very weird."
As Sadie Sink (who plays Max Mayfield) enters the prop house, and pulls out Max's iconic blue tracksuit top, she adds: "We're just kind of savouring every single moment", before Noah Schnapp (who plays Will Byers) continues: "It's just so exciting. I think this is going to be the best season yet."
Caleb McLaughlin (who plays Lucas Sinclair) then adds: "Like every season, you never know what to expect. 100%, the wait will be worth it," before the incredible Jamie Campbell Bower (who plays the infamous Vecna/Henry Creel/001) teases: "Season four was big... Season five definitely feels bigger".
Assured "this is the season fans have been waiting for", we can't wait to see what season five holds. Filming began in January 2024, and with July marking the halfway point, it looks like we can expect filming to wrap by the end of the year.
Despite this, we're still pretty in the dark when it comes to a season five release date - however, it has been rumoured to be from anytime from May-August 2025. This, of course, is unconfirmed, so in the meantime, we'll be binging seasons one-four.
Production begins for Stranger Things season five:
On 8th January 2024, it was revealed that production on the fifth and final season of Stranger Things had officially begun. The news was shared via the Stranger Things page on Instagram, with the caption: '🚨THIS IS A CODE RED🚨 STRANGER THINGS 5 production has officially begun!!!'. (sic)
How does Stranger Things season 5 start?
To celebrate Stranger Things Day 2023, the show shared the first lines from the next and final season. The lines read: 'Darkness. The sound of cold win. Groaning trees. And... A child's voice. Singer a family song:'.
Despite the post not revealing what the song is, or where exactly the scene is taking place, fans have been left very excited.
One fan commented: 'THANK U STRANGER THINGS FOR BEING AN PART OF MY LIFE' (sic), another said: 'OOOOOHHHHHHHHHH MY GOD' (sic).
What is the first episode of Stranger Things 5 called?
On Stranger Things Day 2022, the title of the first episode was revealed to be called 'Chapter One: The Crawl". Sharing on the official Instagram page they posted a photo of the script with the caption: 'season 5. episode 1. the crawl. HAPPY STRANGER THINGS DAY'. (sic)
Who will die in Season 5?
Well, prepare yourselves, as season four star Grace Van Dien has warned us of a potential bombshell heading our way in the fifth season. Grace, who played the ill-fated Chrissy Cunningham in the latest season, has revealed she "heard someone important is going to die".
Claiming that the information was not a "spoiler", due to it being "public", the news came as a surprise to those attending the fan convention which Grace was appearing at.
Despite revealing that we will be saying goodbye to an important character in season five, the actress did not reveal who it was - or give away any clues, for that matter.
Appearing alongside her season four co-star Tom Wlaschiha, who played Dmitri Antonov, the pair did seemingly confirm, however, that filming for the upcoming season is due to begin in the summer of 2023, however it has been delayed due to the writers' strikes. Moreover, the release is looking like it'll be 'another year or so'.
For now, it's anyone's guess as to which character we will lose in season five. Of course, fans have their theories, with the list being topped with Max Mayfield (who was left in a coma at the end of season four), and none other than Will Byers himself.
However, in August 2024, Sadie hinted that we will see more of Max in season five, telling Variety: "They love having me run" Sadie revealed, but she didn't elaborate on whether that's in the show, including the Upside Down, or somewhere else! "That’s all I’ll say," she concluded.
Why were the Netflix execs left crying at season 5 plans?
Although Grace didn't quite confirm the news, having only 'heard' of the important character's death, it would make some sense out of the comments made by the Duffer Brothers back in 2022.
In an interview with The Wrap, Ross and Matt Duffer explained how they ended up making some of the Netflix execs cry when they shared their plans for season five.
"We do have an outline for season five and we pitched it to Netflix and they really responded well to it," Ross explained: "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."
He continued: "And it’s not just to do with the story, just the fact that it’s like, Oh my God, this thing that has defined so many of our lives, these Netflix people who has been with us from the beginning, seven years now, and it’s hard to imagine the journey coming to an end.
"But we wrote it during the pandemic shutdown, the outline for five, and then I haven’t even honestly looked at it because it’s just too overwhelming. We’ll get into it."
What else will happen in Season 5?
While many viewers have their own theories over which characters will return (and not return), how the plot will develop and what the Duffer Brothers have in store for us, the co-creators revealed some more details earlier this year about what we can expect in Stranger Things season five.
Following the reveal of the first episode's name back in November 2022, the Duffer Brothers joined WGFestival, where they opened up about what fans can expect in the next and final series of the hit show.
Revealing that the new series will connect to past seasons in an unexpected way, Ross said: "The success of Season 1 freaked us out and then we knew we needed to build up this bigger world, that this was going to be ongoing." He went on to explain how they filled a whiteboard with all sorts of ideas on how the show could develop.
Ross then continued: "But it was way too much — (five times) more ideas than we needed, or (10 times). For season five, we're pulling from a lot of those big season two ideas… A lot of our big ending stuff has pulled from stuff that we thought was going to be in season two."
Despite the brothers not revealing too much about the actual plot, they did explain more about the writing process. With the production of season four slowed down due to Covid, it meant at the team could outline the final season before filming of season 4 started.
Then, following the reaction to season four from fans and collaborators, the brothers were able to make changes to their original document. "We reread the document," Matt explained. "We’re like, ‘That’s cool, that’s cool. That could be a lot better. That could be a lot better'."
He went on to say: "Even the ending is a little bit different (now). A lot of the big ideas are the same, but the stuff that happens within, it's very different."
When is Stranger Things season 5 coming out?
It has not yet been revealed when Stranger Things season five will be released. We had to wait three years between season three and season four, so the release date of season five is anyone's guess! Despite this, we do know that filming is halfway through, having started in January 2024 and July marking the halfway point.
Although no release date has been confirmed, it is thought that there will be around 5-8 months of post production editing. With filming thought to be wrapping around December 2024, this could suggest a potential release date of anywhere from May-August 2025.
Will Stranger Things season 5 be the last?
Yes, season 5 will be the last season of the hit Netflix show. The makers of the show, the Duffer Brothers revealed in an open letter to fans before the release of season 4 Volume 1: 'Seven years ago, we planned out the complete story arc for Stranger Things. At the time, we predicted the story would last four to five seasons. It proved too large to tell in four but — as you’ll see for yourselves — we are now hurtling toward our finale.'
They continued: 'With nine scripts, over eight-hundred pages, almost two years of filming, thousands of visual effects shots and a runtime nearly twice the length of any previous season, Stranger Things 4 was the most challenging season yet, but also the most rewarding one. Everyone involved is incredibly proud of the results, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Given the unprecedented length, and to get it to you as soon as possible, season 4 will be released in two volumes.'
Is there a Stranger Things season 5 trailer?
No, there is no trailer for Stranger Things season five yet.
Although there is no trailer, Stranger Things have shared a very short teaser clip, which shows the remains of Scoops Ahoy in Starcourt Mall, where Robin and Steve used to work. Fans have been taking to social media to discuss several theories over what it could mean.
Marking the halfway point of filming, bosses also shared a video showing behind the scenes footage from season five. Showing off the impressive sets, and intricate stunt scenes, we were gifted with almost two minutes of Stranger Things goodness.
Who is in the Stranger Things season 5 cast?
According to DigitalSpy the returning cast for season 5 will include, amongst others: Millie Bobby Brown who plays Eleven, Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Noah Schnapp (Will), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Priya Ferguson (Erica), Joe Keery (Steve), Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan) and Maya Hawke (Robin).
Despite Eddie Munson, who was played by Joseph Quinn, reaching an ill-fate in season four, it is thought that he will be returning for season five - however, it is likely that this will only be in flash-back scenes... For obvious reasons.
It has now been announced that Terminator legend Linda Hamilton, who played Sarah Connor in the epic films, will be joining the cast for season 5. The news was announced in at Netflix's fan event Tudum.
Is Eleven in Stranger Things season 5?
Yes, Millie Bobby Brown will be returning to Stranger Things as Eleven.
Is Will Byers in Stranger Things season 5?
It is understood that Will will appear in season five.
Is Max Mayfield in Stranger Things season 5?
Despite Max (Sadie Sink) being left in a coma at the end of season 4, she will be returning for season 5. The actress appeared on Today with Hoda and Jenna, where she opened up about the last season of the show. She told them why it was going to be 'sad and scary' explaining: "It's going to be awful. It's going to be horrible and these kids, this entire cast and crew, this is like family.
"I mean people say that all the time, but I genuinely mean it, and to think that we kind of have to say goodbye to that security and that we're not going to be seeing each other for another season... It's scary and sad, but I think it's exciting to kind of move on to the next chapter, I guess."
Where is Stranger Things season 5 set?
Throughout the series, Stranger Things has had a base in Hawkins, but also had scenes set in Alaska, California, Russia and many other locations, some of them hidden underground! Having said that, it's probably safe to say that much of the season will be in Hawkins and the surrounding area.
Will there be a Stranger Things spin-off?
There could be a Stranger Things spin-off, with the Duffer Brothers telling Variety: "We do have an idea for a spin-off that we’re super excited about… but we haven’t told anyone the idea yet, much less written it.
"We think everyone — including Netflix — will be surprised when they hear the concept because it’s very, very different."
What happened in Stranger Things seasons 1 - 4?
You can read our full recap of Stranger Things seasons 1 - 4 here, followed by everything you need to know about season 4.
Now take a look through facts you probably didn't know about Stranger Things:
1)
To help sell the show, the Duffers edited a mock 'trailer' combining clips from over 25 feature films, including E.T., Nightmare on Elm Street, Super 8 and Halloween.
2)
The composers of the Stranger Things soundtrack (Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon) were two members of an Austin synth band called SURVIVE; their music was featured in the soundtrack of the film The Guest.
3)
Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon have written over 13 hours of music for the show.
4)
Winona Ryder wanted her hairstyle modeled after Meryl Streep's hair in Silkwood.
5)
The title sequence was inspired by the work of Richard Greenberg, who designed a number of classic 80s title sequences including Alien, Altered States, Superman and The Goonies - which starred a young Sean Astin, who later appeared in Stranger Things as Joyce's boyfriend Bob Newby.
6)
Winona Ryder and Matthew Modine (Dr. Martin Brenner) have appeared together once before, in the music video for Roy Orbison's 'A Love So Beautiful'.
7)
Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) and Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) have both acted on Broadway. Gaten played Gavroche in Les Miserables and Caleb played Young Simba in The Lion King. The two boys knew each other but they didn't become close friends until after working on Stranger Things.
8)
Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers) and Millie Brown (Eleven) are both from the UK. Charlie is from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, and Millie is from Bournemouth, Dorset.
9)
To help sell the show, the Duffers created a 'look book' which was designed in the style of a vintage Stephen King novel.
10)
Gaten's voice changed so much by the time production ended that the sound team were unable to use him for additional dialogue recording.
11)
Although the show was shot digitally on the RED Dragon, a layer of real film grain was applied to help achieve a more vintage look.
12)
It was Caleb's request to wear a camouflage bandana in the show; he wears it for the final three episodes.
13)
The monster was achieved through a combination of prosthetics, animatronics, performance and CG.
14)
The toddlers on set were very scared by the 'monster', but they were calmed when told that he was just like the monsters in Monsters Inc.
15)
Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, is a film buff and wants to be a director when he grows up. He is a particular fan of Sam Raimi's early work.
16)
The gang really did create a salt bath, and Millie Bobby Brown actually floated - there were no effects used! To get Millie to float in a kiddie pool, twelve hundred pounds of epsom salt were dissolved into the water.
17)
Before starting the show, the writers all watched (or rewatched) a large list of films, including E.T., Stand By Me, The Goonies, The Thing and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
18)
Millie had to shave most of her hair off for the show and as can be expected of any 11-year-old girl this was a terrifying prospect. The Duffers showed her how cool Charlize Theron looked in Mad Max: Fury Road after which Millie agreed to it.
19)
The Duffers had all the boys audition with scenes from Stand By Me.
20)
Hopper's trailer was purchased by the art department for $1.
21)
For some of the laboratory scenes, Millie (Eleven) was fully submerged in an underwater immersion tank. She was able to breathe by wearing a Sea Trek helmet, which weighs approximately 70 lbs above water; it weighs 15 lbs beneath the surface of the water. The helmet was designed for shallow 'underwater walking'.
22)
To direct Millie while she was underwater, the Duffers communicated with her through a small radio in her ear.
Now read:
All of the Stranger Things movie references REVEALED
Stranger Things: A recap of the first four seasons
Stranger Things: Everything you want to know about the series