It’s only a matter of time before Netflix starts rolling out Stranger Things spinoffs, but only one potential future series makes sense after the original show ends. The sci-fi horror series, created by the Duffer Brothers, soon became a worldwide phenomenon following its premiere in 2016. Consequently, the Stranger Things franchise expanded to include books, video games, comics, a stage play, and more. To no one’s surprise, Netflix jumped at the opportunity to bank on the show’s success, and it will continue to do so even after season 5 with spinoffs.

As of the writing of this article, the only confirmed Stranger Things spinoff is an animated series — Stranger Things: Tales from ’85. Unfortunately, not much else is known about the upcoming show. It takes place in 1985, lining up with Stranger Things season 3’s timeline. Other than that, though, Netflix is keeping all other information about the animated series and any other planned spinoffs close to the vest. If the streaming service were smart, though, it’d make one spinoff concept a priority.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow Would Be The Perfect Stranger Things Spinoff

Netflix Should Adapt The Stage Play

The only way the Stranger Things universe can successfully live on via spinoffs is through prequels, like Henry Creel’s origin story. However, a West End stage play — Stranger Things: The First Shadow — has already taken that idea and run with it. The play, now also on Broadway, takes place in the late 1950s and chronicles the arrival of a young Henry Creel in Hawkins, Indiana. It also features younger versions of Hopper, Joyce, Bob, and more familiar characters. Given all this information, The First Shadow would be the perfect basis for a spinoff series on Netflix.

If Netflix wants to order a Stranger Things spinoff, it should be a prequel that can’t ruin the original show’s ending. However, it would also have to contain the same sci-fi/horror/supernatural elements as Stranger Things. It also wouldn’t hurt to feature familiar characters, like Hopper, Joyce, Henry Creel, etc. So, a screen adaptation of Stranger Things: The First Shadow is the ideal choice for the franchise’s first live-action spinoff.

Why A Sequel Series Wouldn’t Work For The Stranger Things Franchise

Prequels Are The Best Option

Since we still don’t know how Stranger Things will end, it’s unclear how the franchise can move forward with sequel series starring beloved characters such as Eleven or Steve (especially if they’re ᴅᴇᴀᴅ). Even if some survive, though, the hope is that the finale will have a definitive ending for all the characters. It can’t leave the audience on a cliffhanger or two, which would set up spinoffs, but it would also take away from Stranger Things‘s individual story.

Sequel spinoffs featuring any of the Stranger Things characters could only serve to ruin the original show’s ending. However, it’d be difficult to continue the series and maintain audience interest without any known characters. So, turning to Stranger Things: The First Shadow is the perfect solution to ensure the Stranger Things franchise continues thriving after season 5.