001 FINAL EXTENSION

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED OLIVIER AND TONY AWARD-WINNING "STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW" EXTENDS FOR A FINAL TIME BOTH IN THE WEST END AND ON BROADWAY

★★★★★ "As a piece of total theatre, this is streets ahead of anything else" Evening Standard

"A Jaw-Dropping, Must-See Theatrical Marvel." Entertainment Weekly

★★★★★ "It's not only a ravishingly entertaining and deceptively daring piece of theatre, it's also an important one." Sunday Times

The critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning Stranger Things: The First Shadow will extend for a final time, completing its run at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End on 27 December 2026 and at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway on 3 January 2027.

The production will have run for over three years in London and after opening to five-star reviews in 2023, it went on to receive Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design, the Critics' Circle Awards for Best Set Design and Most Promising Newcomer, and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play.

Since its debut at Broadway's Marquis Theatre, Stranger Things: The First Shadow has been smashing box office records. The global phenomenon was the most Tony Award-winning play of 2025, taking home 4 awards, including Best Scenic Design of a Play, Best Lighting Design of a Play, Best Sound Design of a Play, and a Special Tony Award for Illusions and Technical Effects.

Nearly 1.6 million tickets have been sold across the West End and Broadway, with over 1,500 total performances.

This first-of-its-kind collaboration between theatre and television marked Netflix's first foray into theatre, with the epic story and groundbreaking feats of technical design attracting many new theatre audiences.

Matt and Ross Duffer, creative producers and creators of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, said today, "When the legendary Stephen Daldry first came to us with the idea of making a Stranger Things play, we were stunned - both by the fact that Stephen wanted to do this, and that he believed it could work. And boy, did it work.

"We remain awed by what Stephen, Kate Trefry, Justin Martin, and all the brilliant behind-the-scenes wizards were able to pull off: cinematic theater unlike anything else out there. Their incredible work drew audiences from all over - a majority of whom had never even been to a Broadway show before.

"We'd also like to give a standing ovation to the incredibly gifted actors who stepped into these roles - including the Tony-nominated Louis McCartney - and to the fans, who made each and every performance so memorable."

Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix said, "Stranger Things: The First Shadow represents an unprecedented collaboration between television and theatre, showing what's possible when a world class creative team brings a beloved and iconic series to life on stage. It has been a privilege to share this production with audiences over the past few years and particularly rewarding to see it introduce so many to the magic of theatre."

Continued Sonia Friedman, co-producer: "We are incredibly proud of the ambition, imagination and artistry that every member of the company has brought to creating something truly groundbreaking. Together, they have pushed the boundaries of live theatre to tell this story with heart, adventure and spectacle. Partnering with Netflix⁠ has allowed us to go beyond what was previously thought possible on stage and create a truly immersive theatrical experience that brings audiences deeper into the world of Stranger Things, while introducing hundreds of thousands of people to the thrill of live theatre."

Writer Kate Trefry added, "While writing Stranger Things, we always knew there was more to the story of Henry Creel, but never imagined we would have the chance to tell it all. Being given the opportunity to dive deeper into this world through the medium of live theater has been the thrill of a lifetime, and I am still in awe of what our incredible cast and crew was able to achieve. It has been a magical, terrifying ride, and to share the communal experience of every laugh, tear, and scare with your audience is every writer's dream. Thank you to everyone who made this dream come true."

Directors Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin added, "To be entrusted with bringing The Duffer Brothers' incredible creation to the stage has been an utter joy. We are immensely proud of the talent and dedication of the cast and creative team over the past three years - each and every member an integral part of the process of bringing this story to life. Finally, a massive thank you to the fans, many of whom have never stepped inside a theatre before, for welcoming us and joining us every performance in the West End and on Broadway!"

Associate producer Shawn Levy of 21Laps concluded, "This theatrical experience has been incredibly gratifying. The First Shadow has allowed us to expand and deepen the storytelling, characters and audience experience of our Stranger Things franchise. Stephen, Justin, Sonia, and Netflix have been brilliant partners and we are forever grateful to them for transposing Hawkins onstage in such elegant and innovative fashion. And of course, our deepest gratitude for the throngs of people who have joined us in turning Broadway and London's West End upside down."

★★★★★ 'Breathtaking Theatre' The Guardian

"A Non-Stop Thrill Ride!" Deadline

★★★★★ 'The west end event of the year' Daily Telegraph

"How the hell did they do this?" New York Times

Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions present

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW

By Kate Trefry

Original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne & Kate Trefry

Based on the Netflix Series, Stranger Things, created by the Duffer Brothers

The Duffer Brothers act as creative producers, with 21 Laps Entertainment as associate producer.

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW is written by Kate Trefry, directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, original music composition, orchestration, arrangements and supervision by D.J. Walde, illusions design and visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, video design and visual effects by 59 Studio, West End choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction and Broadway choreography by Lynne Page, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, international technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, West End casting by Jessica Ronane CDG and Broadway casting by Jim Carnahan CSA.

ABOUT STRANGER THINGS

A love letter to the '80s classic genre films that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is a thrilling drama set in the seemingly normal Midwestern town of Hawkins, Indiana. After a boy vanishes into thin air, his close-knit group of friends and family search for answers and are pulled into a high-stakes and deadly series of events. Beneath the surface of their ordinary town lurks an extraordinary supernatural mystery, along with top-secret government experiments and a dangerous gateway that connects our world to a powerful yet sinister realm. Friendships will be tested and lives will be altered as what they discover will change Hawkins and possibly the world - forever.

Created by The Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things debuted in 2016 and quickly became one of Netflix's most popular series, with Seasons 1-4 amassing over 1.2 billion views. The fifth and final season premiered in 2025 with the biggest English-language premiere week, joining Season 4 on Netflix's Most Popular List. The final season also propelled Seasons 1-4 back into the Global Top 10 for a record eight weeks and delivered Netflix's most-watched New Year's Day. Rooted in '80s nostalgia, the series is a cultural phenomenon with unparalleled longevity, famously driving Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" and Prince's "Purple Rain" back onto the charts. The franchise has garnered over 70 awards worldwide, including Emmys(R) and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Now an evergreen global franchise, Stranger Things continues to super-serve fans with year-round engagement through the animated series Stranger Things: Tales From '85, the Olivier and Tony-award winning stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a collection of books, the touring Stranger Things: The Experience, and the new immersive experience Stranger Things: Face the Dark at Netflix House Dallas. Fans also celebrate November 6 as 'Stranger Things Day' and follow @StrangerThings.Things for fun ways to bring the Stranger Things universe into their everyday lives. The beloved franchise will celebrate its 10th anniversary in the summer of 2026.

For more on Stranger Things, visit the official website and the official social pages:

Instagram @STOnStage & @stonbroadway TikTok @STOnStage X @STOnStage & @STonBroadway Facebook @STOnStage & @StrangerThingsOnBroadway