Shawn Levy Breaks the Silence on Season 5’s Progress
You know something is brewing in Hawkins, Indiana, when Shawn Levy spills the tea. The producer/director of Netflix’s global sensation, Stranger Things, opened up in a recent interview with The Wrap, and let’s just say, the upside-down world is on the brink of exploding back into our lives. With the writers’ strike finally over, season 5 is revving up its engines—but there’s still one more hurdle to cross.
“The Duffers have been hard at work since the writer strike ended,” Levy shared. “We’re busy on a bunch of fronts because we also have our Stranger Things play opening in London imminently. It’s fabulous. It’s f***ing awesome. We are raring to go.”
The Domino Effect: From Writers to Actors
Let’s rewind a bit. First, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike halted all work on the scripts for Stranger Things season 5. Then came the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike, throwing another wrench into the gears.
“We really need the actors’ strike resolved first,” Levy emphasized, acknowledging that the ball can’t truly get rolling until all strikes come to an end. But the crew is restless, and hundreds of people stand at the ready. “Everyone not only needs to get back to work because we have many hundreds of crew members who have not been able to make a living since the strikes began, but we will be shooting very shortly after the actors’ strike ends.”
The Clock Is Ticking for the Young Cast
Here’s something that’s not waiting: the relentless ticking of the biological clock. Netflix is reportedly prioritizing the fifth season since our beloved Hawkins kids aren’t getting any younger. The platform seems all too aware that they’re racing against time, especially as fans eagerly await each character’s development.
What’s Coming Next? It’s Anybody’s Guess.
Uncertainty looms as negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have not been fruitful. But for the Stranger Things creative team, it’s a race to perfect the scripts. The writers even took to Twitter to announce their return, proclaiming simply: “We’re back.”
The Bright Side of the Strikes
While it’s a dire situation for everyone involved, the delays also offer a potential silver lining. As Levy pointed out, there’s now ample time to refine the scripts for season 5. Fans can likely expect the next iteration of Stranger Things to be well-thought-out, paying close attention to character arcs and plotlines that have become so central to the show’s appeal.
London’s Getting a Slice of Hawkins
Meanwhile, across the pond, the Stranger Things stage play is gearing up for its grand opening in London. Levy couldn’t contain his excitement: “It’s fabulous. It’s f***ing awesome.” Could this be another avenue for fans to get their Stranger Things fix while waiting for the much-anticipated fifth season? Only time will tell.
So there you have it, folks—though the road has been bumpy, the upside-down world of Stranger Things is closer than ever to breaking back into our reality. Stay tuned for more updates as we follow this saga through every twist and turn.
