History of Stranger Things season 5 in Timeline

Stranger Things season 5, the final season, will be released on Netflix. The Duffer brothers, along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen, are producing the season. Specific plot details remain undisclosed, but it will conclude the storyline established in previous seasons, likely focusing on the Hawkins crew's final battle against the Upside Down and its forces. Expect resolution to character arcs and the overall narrative.

2015: Original Agreement with Ryder

Back in mid-2015, the Duffers and Ryder made an initial agreement when she joined the show that she would take a break from the series to reprise her role as Lydia Deetz in a possible Beetlejuice sequel.

2017: Fifth Season Teased

In 2017, producers teased a potential fifth season of Stranger Things, expanding beyond the originally planned four seasons.

February 17, 2022: Duffer Brothers Announce Season 5

On February 17, 2022, Matt and Ross Duffer released a letter announcing the renewal of Stranger Things for a fifth and final season. They also revealed the fourth season's two-part release schedule and their plans for a spinoff series set in the same universe.

August 2, 2022: Writing Begins

On August 2, 2022, writing for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things officially began, following the premiere of season 4 volume 2.

November 6, 2022: Episode 1 Title Revealed

On November 6, 2022, Stranger Things Day, the title of the first episode of season 5 was announced as "Chapter One: The Crawl," written by the Duffers.

May 6, 2023: Writing Paused

On May 6, 2023, the Duffer Brothers announced that writing for season 5 had been paused due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.

June 2023: Linda Hamilton Joins Cast

In June 2023, during Netflix's TUDUM event, it was announced that Linda Hamilton would be joining the cast of Stranger Things season 5.

September 2023: Shawn Levy to Direct

In September 2023, it was confirmed that Shawn Levy would direct at least one episode of Stranger Things season 5.

October 14, 2023: Writing Over Halfway Done

On October 14, 2023, it was revealed that writing for Stranger Things season 5 was over halfway completed.

2023: Hollywood Labor Disputes

In 2023, the Hollywood labor disputes caused delays in the production of Stranger Things Season 5 and Thunderbolts.

January 8, 2024: Production Begins

After delays due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, production of Stranger Things season 5 officially began on January 8, 2024.

January 2024: Amybeth McNulty Returns

In January 2024, when production began, a set photo confirmed the return of Amybeth McNulty as Vickie.

March 2024: Nine Months Left of Filming

In March 2024, Millie Bobby Brown stated that there were nine months left of filming for season 5 and that she had read the script for six episodes.

July 2024: New Cast Members Join

In July 2024, Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, and Alex Breaux joined the cast of Stranger Things season 5.

October 2024: Almost Done Shooting

In October 2024, Finn Wolfhard stated that they were "almost done shooting" Stranger Things season 5.

October 2024: Casting Call for Young Sara Hopper

In mid-October 2024, a casting call was announced for Jim Hopper's late daughter Sara, for flashback sequences.

November 2024: Nell Fisher Confirmed as Holly Wheeler

In November 2024, Nell Fisher was confirmed to appear as Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things Season 5.

December 20, 2024: Filming Wraps

Filming for Stranger Things Season 5 wrapped up on December 20, 2024.

January 2025: Post-Production Underway

In January 2025, the Duffer brothers announced that post-production for Stranger Things Season 5 was underway, with visual effects work "ahead of schedule".

2025: Thunderbolts Film (Delayed)

In 2025, Harbour expected to be shooting his scenes as Jim Hopper for Stranger Things concurrently with filming for Thunderbolts, but both productions were delayed due to labor disputes.