We’re all eagerly looking forward to our next visit to Hawkins, Indiana. And as much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, it looks like we’ll all be waiting a bit longer than we’d like.
Though ‘Stranger Things’ was quickly (and unsurprisingly) renewed in the wake of the second season’s success last year, both Netflix and the show’s producers have been mum on a planned premiere date for the next season. Indeed, while the third season began filming at the end of April (making a 2018 debut at least a theoretical possibility), the closest they’ve come to even hinting at its release date was in the teaser released two weeks ago, which closed on a “coming next summer” title card. However, because that teaser took the form of an advertisement for the fictional Starcourt Mall, that can’t necessarily be taken as an announcement regarding the show itself.
Or can we? Speaking at the TCA Summer Tour, Netflix programming executive Cindy Holland confirmed that ‘Stranger Things’ will not be returning for its third season until 2019. And yes, it’ll be a summer premiere. Of the delay, Holland had this to say:
“It’s a handcrafted show. The Duffer Brothers and Shawn Levy, they understand the stakes are high. They want to deliver something bigger and better than last year. I think it’s going to be a fantastic season. It will be worth the wait.”
Speaking after the panel, Holland explained that one of the reasons for the delay was the sheer scale and ambition of the season, noting that it will require more special effects work than prior seasons. Added Holland: “It’s a really exciting season, just takes a little more time.”
‘Stranger Things’ has been renewed for a third season by Netflix. No premiere date has been announced at this time, it will be in the summer of 2019. The new season will feature returning stars Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, Priah Ferguson, and Charlie Heaton alongside newcomers Cary Elwes. Jake Busey, and Francesca Reale.
