Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is set to be the first television spinoff from the acclaimed Netflix series, promising a blend of science fiction and the eerie allure of the Upside Down. This highly anticipated animated series faced initial challenges in its development, primarily revolving around how to introduce new creatures without a direct portal to the Upside Down.
The Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross, the creative minds behind the Stranger Things universe, envisioned an animated show inspired by 1980s cartoons, set between the events of seasons two and three. However, the timeline posed a unique challenge, as the story needed to unfold after Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown in the live-action series, closed the gate to the world of demogorgons and Mind Flayers.
Eric Robles: The Creative Force Behind the Spin-off
Enter Eric Robles, a veteran of children’s animation known for his work on Fanboy & Chum Chum and Glitch Techs. Robles took on the task of dissecting the original series to find narrative loopholes. “I dissected the show, looking for any loopholes. I found a few of ’em,” Robles revealed to Entertainment Weekly. “And then I found this one idea that I was just like, ‘Oh s—! I think that’s it.'” His breakthrough concept? “Hawkins Lab science meets Upside Down matter,” he teased, hinting at a chain reaction affecting creatures in our world and new phenomena emerging.
While specific story details remain under wraps, Robles provided a glimpse of what audiences can expect. The series will introduce a new cast of younger actors portraying familiar characters: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Benjamin Plessala as Will, and Brett Gipson as Hopper. Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips will also lend their voices to undisclosed roles.
Not Just Another Horror Show
Although horror elements are prevalent in discussions with Robles, he refrains from labeling the animated series strictly as a horror show. “It’s got its bite to it,” he admits. “The stakes are real for the kids. It’s not Scooby-Doo, man. It’s not like, ‘Oh, well, it’ll be fine.’ We don’t know if it’ll be fine.”
Robles promises “a lot of freaking cool monsters,” emphasizing that the series is not merely a “monster of the week” format. Instead, each creature is intricately linked to a season-long mystery, adding depth and continuity to the storyline.
Visual Inspirations and Production
Flying Bark Productions, the animation studio behind What If…?, is tasked with bringing Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 to life. Robles drew inspiration not from contemporary animations but from the original Stranger Things posters by Kyle Lambert, which themselves echo the Spielbergian art of Drew Struzan. “Those posters have it all. They have these brilliant colors, there’s darks, there’s vibrancy to it,” Robles explained. “I’m just like, ‘That’s the show!’ If I can bring those posters to life, I got something pretty awesome. And that’s exactly what we did.”
The Future of Tales From ’85
As the Duffer Brothers prepare to release the final season of the main Stranger Things series, they remain involved in overseeing Tales From ’85, with Robles as the principal showrunner and executive producer. The new series is set to premiere in 2026, with the potential for future seasons to continue under the Tales From ’85 banner.
Set between the fall of 1984 and the summer of 1985, the animated series explores the untold stories that unfold during this period. Robles envisions the first season progressing hour by hour, day by day, offering a detailed exploration of this enigmatic timeline.
As fans eagerly await the premiere, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 promises to deliver a fresh perspective on the beloved universe, blending nostalgia with new adventures and mysteries.
