‘Stranger Things’ play wins Tony Awards, setting stage for TV series finale

Fans of the hit Netflix science fiction series "Stranger Things" have another reason to cheer, as the stage play based on the show, titled "Stranger Things: The First Shadow," recently secured multiple wins at the Tony Awards on Sunday, June 8.

The production, known for its intense on-stage effects including "bloody body contortions, booming blasts and brooding high school angst," was recognized with awards for best scenic design, best lighting design, and best sound design of a play. It also received a special award specifically for its illusions and technical effects.

Backstage at the ceremony, scenic designer Miriam Buether reflected on the creative process, stating simply, "We love scaring people," in reference to crafting the play's frightening moments.

Directed by Stephen Daldry, the play garnered a total of five Tony nominations. Among these was a nomination for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play, recognizing Louis McCartney for his portrayal of Henry Creel, the character who becomes the series' antagonist, Vecna, in his younger years.

"Stranger Things: The First Shadow" is part of the growing "Stranger Things" universe, overseen by creators Matt and Ross Duffer. The brothers established Upside Down Pictures in 2022, signing an overall deal with Netflix that also includes plans for a live-action "Stranger Things" spin-off series.

Beyond the screen and stage, the franchise has branched out into various ventures, including video games, cosplay events, immersive experiences, and licensing agreements for merchandise, notably a deal in January 2025 with the company known for Squishmallow plush toys.

The success of the play coincides with the impending conclusion of the original television series. Last month, Netflix announced during its "Tudum Live" fan event that the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things" would be released in three parts: the first on November 26, 2025, the second on December 25, 2025, and the series finale on December 31, 2025. Production on the final season was reportedly delayed by the dual Hollywood strikes in 2023.

The original "Stranger Things" series first premiered on Netflix in 2016. Created by the Duffer brothers, it quickly became a major success, telling the story of a group of young friends in 1980s rural Indiana battling supernatural creatures emerging from an alternate dimension dubbed the "Upside Down."

The play, also produced by the Duffer brothers, serves as a prequel, transporting audiences back to 1959, two decades before the events of the TV show. It follows characters like Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado, familiar to TV viewers as adults, as they navigate high school life with typical teenage concerns until the arrival of a mysterious new student, Henry Creel.

Henry is depicted as an unusual and troubled boy whose presence will ultimately shape the future of the quiet town of Hawkins, Indiana. The New York cast features actors like Burke Swanson as the young Jim Hopper, Alison Jaye as Joyce Maldonado, and Louis McCartney reprising his role as Henry Creel from the play's earlier London run.

Before its Broadway debut in March 2025 at the Marquis Theatre in New York, the monster-filled production first premiered in London in 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre.