stranger things

FOR almost a decade, Stranger Things has had adults and kids alike cowering behind the sofa as a bunch of youngsters battle the evil Demogorgon and Vecna.

I’ve been scared out of my wits a few times but as the fifth and final series begins today, I have some very good news for fans of the hit sci-fi show.

Several spin-off projects are already in the works, I can reveal.

We will see more of the story unfold as inhabitants of the ­fictional US town of ­Hawkins, Indiana, venture into the mysterious alternate dimension The Upside Down.

Speaking at the London premiere, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed: “The world of Hawkins, Indiana and the Upside Down, it’s not over.”

There is already a stage show, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which has had rave reviews on London’s West End.

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And next year will see the launch of an animated series, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, featuring a new cast and taking place in the period between the second and third series of the main show.

But talks are under way about a series of other opportunities, including chances to explore individual characters.

A source said: “Stranger Things has been one of the ultimate success stories for Netflix — loads of people got subscriptions just to watch that.

“They know there is a massive appetite for more, so although now is the right time to end the main series, it won’t be the end of the story.

“There have been talks of a live-action spin-off as well as another animated project.

“But there is also a hope that individual characters could return to the screen in stand-alone shows.”

One person unlikely to take up that offer is Millie Bobby Brown. She played key character Eleven, who has supernatural powers.

Millie made it clear she is excited to snap up opportunities away from the show after so many years working on it.

The last series in 2022 ended on a cliffhanger with Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink, left horrifically injured after being attacked by Vecna.

We find out what’s happened to her and after watching the first episode a few weeks ago, I can confirm it’s still just as terrifying.

The first four episodes of season five drop today, followed by more on Boxing Day and the grand finale on New Year’s Day.

David Harbour is back as police chief Jim Hopper, the adoptive father of Eleven — despite an allegation of bullying on-set and accusations from his ex-wife Lily Allen that he was unfaithful.

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But his character only has barely nine minutes of screen time in the episode which features a brilliant soundtrack including Diana Ross’s Upside Down, and ABBA’s Fernando during a particularly gruesome scene.

Watching bloody fights between monsters and mortals isn’t usually how I spend my Christmas, but this year, I’ll be glued to it.

A major star from Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things has addressed the wild theories about her next role in a highly-anticipated blockbuster

Stranger Things star Sadie Sink has issued a cryptic response to who she could be playing in an upcoming Marvel movie.

The actress is best known for portraying Maxine ‘Max’ Mayfield in Netflix’s smash-hit series, which is returning for its fifth and final season this week.

She has since been cast in the upcoming superhero sequel Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with Tom Holland returning as the web-slinger, though details of her role are currently a mystery.

With fan theories ranging from iconic comic book favourites such as Gwen Stacey and Jean Grey to more obscure characters, fans may be in the dark for some time as both Marvel Studios and Sony are keeping things under wraps.

Sink has recently addressed some of the most popular rumours, many of which point to the redheaded actress portraying someone with a similar look.

“A lot of people forget that hair colour can change, but, yeah, I understand all of the theories,” she teased to Entertainment Weekly.

Her four-word clarification that “hair colour can change” could point to her casting as Spider-Man’s blonde girlfriend Gwen after his love interest MJ, played by Holland’s real-life partner Zendaya, was left with her memory wiped in the last film.

However, Sink’s casting as X-Men team member Jean has also been a popular choice since before she joined the franchise, as she notes: “That was happening before I even knew that I would be working on this project.

“I was like, ‘Wait! What are people talking about?’”

The odds are also strong that the Stranger Things alum is playing a lesser-known character called Rachel Cole, the sidekick of vigilante the Punisher who will also be making an appearance in Brand New Day portrayed by Jon Bernthal.

“People will just have to wait and see,” Sink teased. “I’m excited for all of it to maybe be put to rest.”

The actress currently has multiple mysteries surrounding her upcoming on-screen appearances, as the fate of her Stranger Things character Max was also left up in the air at the end of season four.

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Following an intense confrontation with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), Max was left in a coma while her friends anxiously await her revival, which may never actually arrive.

“For the most part, I think people trust me to keep my mouth shut,” she said.

“Press is pretty boring if you can’t talk about the episodes — for me, at least. She’s in a coma. That’s all I can say.”

Stranger Things season 5 premieres Wednesday, 26th November.

MILLIE Bobby Brown clapped back at a red carpet photographer after he heckled her, telling the actress to “smile”.

The Hollywood star, 21, was attending the premiere for the fifth and final season of Netflix hit Stranger Things.

Posing for snappers at the Odeon Luxe in London’s Leicester Square, one shutterbug was seemingly left unimpressed.

Flashes fired in her direction, with the pack of media apparently wanting more as one shouted at her to smile.

Video footage shows the moment Millie pulls a face at the photographer in question before saying, “Smile? You smile”

After making her comment, she walks away from the carpet and stops posing altogether.

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The clip has gone viral on both TikTok and on X, formally known as Twitter.

It has divided followers, with some saying she had every right to leave, but others hitting back at the actress.

In Millie’s defence, one penned on X, “Celebrities are not legally obliged to smile when photographers request it.”

A second said, “Millie Bobby Brown serving major clapback energy.”

While a third responded, “Not exactly promoting them acting like d***s, but they seriously have the right to call out paparazzi Since Chappell Roan.

“We need these celebrities to show those unhuman paparazzi their place.”

Another added, “I feel for Millie Bobby Brown in this case.

“People used to say that I didn’t smile enough… My high school track coach used to say, ‘smile’, I even got disciplined at a JOB for NOT SMILING ENOUGH.”

A fifth said, “I feel bad for her. Probably the last kind of person that should be famous. I hope she get peace in her life.”

Others weren’t so sure, with another user writing on X, “Okay so I’m confused by this.

“How is a professional photographer asking you to smile offensive?”

A second said, “You’re on the Red Carpet to provide pictures for media outlets.

“Don’t be surprised when one of the photographers asks you to smile.”

While a third wrote, “Gurlll you’re on a red carpet.. posing for pictures… in front of a photographer. There is zero sexism involved here.”

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Another called her a “stroppy diva”.

They added, “She has a talent, that Holmes piece she did was very well done, but her attitude I think will not enable her to continue towards further success.”

Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin appeared on BBC The One Show and opened up about the final season of the show

Stranger Things fans are bracing themselves to bid farewell to the beloved programme that has captivated audiences since 2016, as the final instalment of the science fiction drama draws to a close.

Caleb McLaughlin, who portrays Lucas Sinclair in the Netflix series created by Matt and Ross Duffer, has reflected on wrapping up filming, describing it as the “best day”.

The star joined fellow cast members Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp and Gaten Matarazzo on BBC’s The One Show on Monday (November 10) evening, where he discussed the upcoming final season with presenters Alex Jones and Angelica Bell, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Alex immediately remarked: “You’ve been together for ages, you’ve grown up together and the chemistry between you is so brilliant.”

The presenter then enquired: “What was it like to film that last moment before they shouted ‘that’s a wrap?'”

Caleb confessed: “It was really emotional honestly. I reference a 90s anime flashback, I felt like I was reminiscing on my future, my present and the past.”

He continued: “I’ve been on the show almost half my life, I mean all of us have. It’s been 10 years, it’s wild. It’s something so deep that I can’t truly understand yet because my frontal lode is still closing but it was an emotional day but one of my best days.”

When questioned about whether he’d managed to take any mementoes from the set, the actor disclosed: “With permission, my bandanna, a wright locket and some clothes from each season.”

After the explosive finale of series four, Netflix unveiled the trailer for series five last month, showing our beloved Hawkins youngsters gearing up for a final showdown with Vecna.

The clip reveals where Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) has been lurking, as it begins with the arch-villain stepping out from the shadows in the Upside Down’s version of Hawkins’ town hall, declaring: “We can begin.”

It then switches to the residents of Hawkins, who find themselves “stuck” in their town due to military intervention as authorities attempt to contain the chaos Vecna unleashed at the close of series four.

The tension escalates as Finn Wolfhard’s Mike Wheeler and his mates devise one final assault against Vecna to “end this once and for all”.

The trailer also features Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) using her abilities to soar through the sky, whilst Max (Sadie Sink) is shown being carried from the hospital by Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), who then finds himself chased by a demodog.

In the trailer’s closing moments, an epic confrontation is hinted at, as Vecna lifts Will into the air towards him, saying: “You are going to help me…one…last…time.”

The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer