The hit Netflix series, Stranger Things, is preparing to bow out with its fifth and final season, promising an epic conclusion to the story that has captivated audiences since 2016. The streaming giant has confirmed a unique three-part release strategy for the grand finale, bringing the saga of Hawkins, Eleven, and the Upside Down to a close.
The Final Countdown: Release Schedule and Plot
Fans in the UK won't have to wait much longer to begin the final chapter. Part One, consisting of four episodes, will debut on Netflix on November 27 at 1am. The story will then continue with another three episodes dropping on December 26 at 1am, before the series concludes with a final episode broadcast on New Year's Day at 1am.
The official synopsis sets a dark and urgent tone for the end. It states the story is set in the fall of 1987, with Hawkins scarred by the Rifts. Our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. However, the villain has vanished, and his plans are unknown. Complicating matters, the town is under military quarantine, forcing Eleven back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, a familiar dread returns, signalling a final battle against a darkness more powerful than anything they have faced before.
Returning Faces and New Additions
The main ensemble cast is set to return for this final outing, with one notable exception. Joseph Quinn, who played the beloved Eddie Munson, is not returning following his character's tragic death in the season four finale. Despite this, many fans hold a theory that this is a red herring and that Eddie is actually alive but trapped in the Upside Down.
The final season will also introduce new characters. Linda Hamilton joins the cast as Dr Kay, a government scientist. They are joined by new cast members Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler, Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow, and Alex Breaux as Lt. Akers. It has also been confirmed that Amybeth McNulty will return as Vickie, a student at Hawkins High.
Fan Theories and Episode Teasers
Netflix has built anticipation by confirming the final season's episode titles: The Crawl, The Vanishing Of, The Turnbow Trap, Sorcerer, Shock Jock, Escape from Camazotz, The Bridge, and The Rightside Up. As a special treat for dedicated viewers, the platform released the first five minutes of episode one early, offering a tantalising glimpse of what's to come.
This has fuelled intense speculation among the fanbase. A prominent theory suggests that the beloved character Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery, might die. Supporters of this theory point to his limited screen time in the first trailer and a scene where his former love interest, Nancy Wheeler, is seen crying and washing blood from her hands. Fans are convinced the blood belongs to Steve, with one commenting on the trailer: "The fact that Steve is only shown twice in this trailer and he’s bloody in the second scene."
As the clock ticks down to the final episodes, the excitement and anxiety are palpable. The full party must stand together one last time to end the nightmare that began with a boy's disappearance in Hawkins.
