Netflix’s new sci-fi sequence has develop into a worldwide hit, and it comes from the identical creators of Stranger Issues, doing one thing that the ultimate season of the streamer’s flagship sequence was extremely criticized for not tapping into. One of many greatest reveals in Netflix historical past resulted in 2025, with the ultimate season of Stranger Issues being divided into three separate components.
That mentioned, 2026 marked the continuation of the franchise, with the Duffer Bros., Stranger Issues’ creators, serving as government producers on the franchise’s first spinoff. The animated Stranger Issues: Tales from ’85 was an on the spot hit on the streamer, though it didn’t stay on Netflix’s charts for practically so long as the unique present did.
Whereas they continued one of many greatest sci-fi franchises of all time, 2026 additionally marked the discharge of two non-Stranger Issues sequence on Netflix with the Duffer Bros. as government producers. First got here the horror/psychological thriller sequence One thing Very Dangerous Is Going to Occur. After a change in genres, the Duffers have now gone again to their aspect: darkish sci-fi reveals filled with mysteries.
That’s what The Boroughs, which debuted on Netflix on Might 21, has to supply subscribers. The live-action sci-fi sequence has an exceptional forged, led by the Spider-Man film franchise’s Doc Ock star Alfred Molina as Sam Cooper, a widower who’s adjusting to his life at a retirement dwelling. The Boroughs connects to Stranger Issues in a number of methods, although they don’t seem to be in the identical universe.
The Boroughs Does What Stranger Issues Season 5 Was Afraid Of
The most important factor that The Boroughs does in relation to Stranger Issues is that it’s not afraid to kill a key character early on. Whereas the Netflix international sensation featured many grotesque deaths over its 5 seasons, it by no means felt like several of the primary forged would ever die, particularly heading into season 5. In spite of everything, when Hopper and Max had clear deaths laid out for them, Stranger Issues made positive to reverse them, softening the impression of any near-death eventualities. The present couldn’t even kill Karen Wheeler, the mom of Mike, Nancy, and Holly, in season 5.
Now, whereas some would possibly level on the destiny of Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven as an exception, even then, Stranger Issues’ ending didn’t decide to El’s dying. Mike got here up with a concept that left it open-ended, so she might very nicely have survived, which might match with the present’s MO.
In The Boroughs, the tune is totally different. Invoice Pullman’s Jack Willard is a key character within the pilot, establishing lots of the storylines that season 1 will observe. His function makes it look like Jack can be in The Boroughs for the long term, however he shockingly dies on the finish of episode 1. This fashion, the Duffer Bros. new Netflix sci-fi sequence does what Stranger Issues season 5 was too afraid to do, which is to kill a major character.
How Stranger Issues Can Flip It Round Regardless of The Present’s Ending
Stranger Issues might need ended after 5 seasons, however the sci-fi franchise is way from over. After the discharge of the animated Stranger Issues: Tales from ’85 season 1, it has already been confirmed that the brand new Netflix sequence can be again earlier than lengthy, returning with season 2 sooner or later in 2026. As such, there’s a likelihood that the Stranger Issues franchise might lastly kill a major character a 12 months after the unique present ended, or do it in future unannounced seasons of the spinoff.
The explanation for that’s easy, as Odessa A’zion’s Nikki Baxter is a brand new character who was created for the animated sequence, by no means showing or being talked about within the live-action present. Nikki’s dying within the spinoff, after she has been arrange as a serious character, would make up for season 5’s worry of killing key gamers. As she isn’t in Stranger Issues’ 5 seasons, killing Nikky, quite than sending her away, could be extra impactful and hit more durable, as it will happen in a young-oriented animated sequence. The present ought to take notes from The Boroughs.


