A never-before-seen character is introduced in the Stranger Things spin-off, with a significant role to play. The teaser trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From '85 has been released, revealing that the beloved Hawkins heroes will be joined by a new member of the gang, despite the challenging setting of the Netflix animated series.
Setting of the Spin-Off
According to its official synopsis, fans are invited to return to Hawkins for Stranger Things: Tales From 85, an exciting new animated series set in the winter of 1985. For those who need a reminder, this places the events between Seasons 2 and 3 of the main show. While snow blankets the town, the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading. Our heroes—Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max—have settled back into a normal life of Dungeons & Dragons, snowball fights, and quiet days. But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down? From the depths of Hawkins Lab? Or from somewhere else entirely? The heroes must race to solve this mystery and save Hawkins in this new story set in the Stranger Things universe.
Introduction of Nikki Baxter
The series introduces a few brand-new characters not seen before, including the newcomer Nikki Baxter. So, who is she, and how does she come to Hawkins? Here is everything you need to know. Nikki Baxter makes an almost instant impression with her pink hair and general 'super punk rock' style. She is a transfer student who has just moved to Hawkins. Having moved around for most of her life, Nikki has not had any real friends until now and has grown accustomed to being on her own. However, that does not mean she is afraid of being herself, and she quickly makes an impression on the group. Will, in particular, empathises with Nikki and welcomes her into the fold.
Nikki's Background
Nikki has moved to Hawkins because her mother has taken on the job of temporarily replacing the science teacher Mr. Clarke during his sabbatical. She is also there to be closer to her partner, Daniel. Both Amanda Baxter and Daniel are ambitious scientists themselves, with Mrs. Baxter having a history of experimenting on plant life. Her daughter Nikki shares her passion for experimentation as well, although she tends to tinker with inventions that might just be effective weapons against otherworldly creatures.
Voice Actor and Character Insights
The character is voiced by actress Odessa A’zion, whom viewers may recognise from recent appearances in the movie Marty Supreme with Timothy Chalamet and the HBO series I Love LA. She also played Stephanie in the US version of the sitcom Ghosts, a high schooler who lives in the attic and was killed on her prom night. A’zion has spoken about how Nikki fits in with the rest of the Hawkins gang, complementing each of their D&D-like roles perfectly. She said, 'If Will is the cleric and Mike is the paladin, then Nikki is the barbarian and the protector of the crew. They had everything, and she was the missing puzzle piece. You need a little muscle in that crew.' She added, 'As such, she wants to stick up for people who have trouble sticking up for themselves, and I think she’s a badass for that.'
Showrunner's Perspective
Showrunner for the animated series, Eric Robles, also commented on the character, stating: 'Nikki is the audience’s eyes. She comes into this world completely new. She’s got her own issues that she’s been dealing with, and it’s these kids who step into her world in a sense. So when the chaos starts to unfold, she’s got to figure things out with the kids because there’s no way that she could just walk away from what she’s seen and pretend like it never happened.'
Where to Watch
Stranger Things: Tales from 85 is streaming on Netflix.
