Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
	Promotional poster
Written by	Kate Trefry
Story by	The Duffer Brothers ; Jack Thorne ; Kate Trefry;
Based on	Stranger Things ; by The Duffer Brothers
Directed by	Stephen Daldry ; Justin Martin ;
Date premiered	December 14, 2023
Place premiered	Phoenix Theatre, West End, London
Original language	English
Genre	Drama ; Science fiction ;
Setting	Hawkins, Indiana
	Official site

Last updated September 15, 2025

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a play written by Kate Trefry from an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry. The story serves as a prequel to the events of the television series Stranger Things . The production, directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, previewed on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End, London. The play began a run on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre, New York City, on April 22, 2025.

Background

In July 2022, it was revealed that a spin-off stage play and a spin-off series were in the works.^[1] The stage play was produced by Sonia Friedman, directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin,^[2] and written by Kate Trefry,^[3] based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Trefry.^[4]

Production history

West End (2023)

On March 1, 2023, the show's title was announced as Stranger Things: The First Shadow.^[5] The show began previews on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14, 2023, at the Phoenix Theatre.^[6]^[7]^[8]

The production is co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin. Set design is by Miriam Buether; costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel; lighting design by Jon Clark; sound design by Paul Arditti; illusion design and visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher; video design and visual effects by 59 Productions; movement direction by Coral Messam; wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates; casting by Jessica Ronane Casting CDG; and international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan. Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates is technical director.^[9]

On September 20, 2023, the full cast was announced. The company features Oscar Lloyd as James Hopper Jr., Isabella Pappas as Joyce Maldonado, Chris Buckley as Bob Newby, Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Patrick Vaill as Dr. Brenner, Ella Karuna Williams as Patty Newby, Michael Jibson as Victor Creel, and Lauren Ward as Virginia Creel.^[10]^[7]

On April 15, 2025, a documentary called Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, about the making of the play and its debut in the West End, was released on Netflix.^[11]

In June 2025, director Justin Martin said that the audiences were very noisy compared to traditional theatre audiences. Surveys revealed that around 60 per cent of them had never been to the theatre, so they "eat popcorn throughout and just respond in a really natural way".^[12]

Broadway (2025)

On August 6, 2024, it was announced that the show would transfer to Broadway in early 2025. Previews began at the Marquis Theatre on March 28, 2025, while the play's official opening date was on April 22, 2025.^[13]^[14] Louis McCartney was announced to be reprising the role of Henry Creel for the Broadway transfer in 2025.^[15]

Principal cast and characters


Character	West End^[16]	Broadway^[17]
Character	2023	2025
James Hopper Jr.	Oscar Lloyd	Burke Swanson
Joyce Maldonado	Isabella Pappas	Alison Jaye
Bob Newby	Chris Buckley	Juan Carlos
Henry Creel	Louis McCartney
Dr. Brenner	Patrick Vaill	Alex Breaux
Alan Munson	Max Harwood	Eric Weigand
Patty Newby	Ella Karuna Williams	Gabrielle Nevaeh
Victor Creel	Michael Jibson	T.R. Knight
Virginia Creel	Lauren Ward	Rosie Benton
Alice Creel	Imogen Turner	Poppy Lovell
	Faith Delaney	Poppy Lovell
	Anika Boyle	Azalea Wolfe
	Lily Crawford	Azalea Wolfe
Chief Hopper	Shane Attwooll	Ted Koch
Lonnie Byers	Chase Brown	Logan Gould
Charles Sinclair	Ammar Duffus	Robert T. Cunningham
Ted Wheeler	Gilles Geary	Jamie Martin Mann
Karen Childress	Florence Guy	Dora Dolphin
Principal Newby	Matthew Pidgeon	Andrew Hovelson
Walter Henderson	Calum Ross	Ian Dolley
Claudia Yount	Maisie Norma Seaton	Shea Grant
Sue Anderson	Kemi Awoderu	Ayana Cymone

Notable replacements

West End (2023-)

Virginia Creel: Lauren O'Neil ^[18]

Awards and nominations

2024 West End production

Year	Award Ceremony	Category	Nominee	Result
2024	Laurence Olivier Awards ^[19]	Best Entertainment or Comedy Play		Won
		Best Director	Stephen Daldry (Director), Justin Martin (co-director)	Nominated
		Best Lighting Design	Jon Clark	Nominated
		Best Set Design	Miriam Buether (Set Design), 59 Productions (Video Design)	Won
		Best Sound Design	Paul Arditti	Nominated
	WhatsOnStage Awards ^[20]	Best New Play		Won
		Best Professional Debut Performance	Louis McCartney	Nominated
		Best Casting Direction	Jessica Ronane	Nominated
		Best Lighting Design	Jon Clark	Nominated
		Best Set Design	Miriam Buether	Nominated
		Best Sound Design	Paul Arditti	Nominated
		Best Video Design	59 Productions	Nominated
		Best Graphic Design	The Creative Partnership	Nominated

2025 Broadway production

Year	Award Ceremony	Category	Nominee	Result
2025	Tony Awards	Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play	Louis McCartney	Nominated
		Best Scenic Design of a Play	Miriam Buether and 59 Productions	Won
		Best Costume Design of a Play	Brigitte Reiffenstuel	Nominated
		Best Lighting Design of a Play	Jon Clark	Won
		Best Sound Design of a Play	Paul Arditti	Won
		Special Tony Award	Jamie Harrison, Chris Fisher, Gary Beestone, and Edward Pierce (for illusions and technical effects)	Won
	Drama League Awards ^[21]	Outstanding Production of a Play		Nominated
	Drama League Awards ^[21]	Distinguished Performance	Louis McCartney	Nominated
	Drama Desk Award ^[22]	Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play	Louis McCartney	Nominated
		Outstanding Direction of a Play	Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin	Nominated
		Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play	Miriam Buether, and Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher (illusions and visual effects)	Won
		Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play	Jon Clark	Won
		Outstanding Sound Design of a Play	Paul Arditti	Won
	Outer Critics Circle Awards ^[23]	Outstanding New Broadway Play		Nominated
		Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play	Louis McCartney	Nominated
		Outstanding Direction of a Play	Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin	Nominated
		Outstanding Scenic Design	Miriam Buether, Jamie Harrison, and Chris Fisher	Won
		Outstanding Lighting Design	Jon Clark	Won
		Outstanding Sound Design	Paul Arditti	Won
		Outstanding Video/Projections	59 Productions	Nominated

References

↑ "Netflix announces 'Stranger Things' spin-off as creators form new production company". CNBC. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
↑ "Stranger Things spin-offs to include play made by British theatre duo". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
↑ "Stranger Things prequel play combines darkness and fun, creators say". BBC News. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
↑ "Sonia Friedman Productions". soniafriedman.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
↑ Huff, Lauren (March 1, 2023). "Stranger Things to get stage play about 1959 Hawkins featuring young Hopper, Joyce, and Vecna". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
↑ "Ambassador Theatre Group announces 'Stranger Things' performance dates". ATG Tickets. ATG. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
1 2 Porter, Rick (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things' Stage Play Sets Cast, Opening Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
↑ "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Cast Tease West End Play: 'It's Like Being in a F—ing Action Film'". Variety. November 17, 2023. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
↑ "Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Box Office". Phoenix Theatre, London. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
↑ Rice, Lynette (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Reveals Full Cast For World Premiere In London's West End". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
↑ "Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things The First Shadow". Netflix Media Center. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
↑ Martin, Justin (June 17, 2025). "Theatrical hitmaker Justin Martin on Prima Facie's follow-up: 'It wrestles with how to bring up boys'". The Guardian (Interview). Interviewed by Lawson, Mark. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
↑ Huston, Caitlin (August 6, 2024). "Netflix's 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' to Open on Broadway in Spring 2025". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
↑ "Stranger Things: The First Shadow – Broadway", Playbill. Retrieved 1 April 2025
↑ Bitran, Tara (December 4, 2024). "Meet the Broadway Cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow Play". Netflix .
↑ "Cast & Creative - Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Site". uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
↑ "Cast & Creative - Stranger Things: The First Shadow US | March 2025". broadway.strangerthingsonstage.com/. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
↑ "Full casting announced for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the West End's Phoenix Theatre | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. September 25, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
↑ "Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations". The Guardian. March 12, 2024. ISSN 0261-3077 . Retrieved March 12, 2024.
↑ "Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". December 7, 2023. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 16, 2025). "Nicole Scherzinger Wins Distinguished Performance at 2025 Drama League Awards; Read the Full Winners List". Playbill . Retrieved May 16, 2025.
↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 30, 2025). "Boop! Leads 2025 Drama Desk Award Nominations With 11 Nods Including Outstanding Musical; Read the Full List Here". Playbill . Retrieved May 12, 2025.
↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 12, 2025). "Maybe Happy Ending Leads 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill . Retrieved May 12, 2025.

External links

Official website

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Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
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[1] "Netflix announces 'Stranger Things' spin-off as creators form new production company". CNBC. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.

[2] "Stranger Things spin-offs to include play made by British theatre duo". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.

[3] "Stranger Things prequel play combines darkness and fun, creators say". BBC News. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

[4] "Sonia Friedman Productions". soniafriedman.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

[5] Huff, Lauren (March 1, 2023). "Stranger Things to get stage play about 1959 Hawkins featuring young Hopper, Joyce, and Vecna". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.

[6] "Ambassador Theatre Group announces 'Stranger Things' performance dates". ATG Tickets. ATG. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.

[:1-7] 1 2 Porter, Rick (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things' Stage Play Sets Cast, Opening Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.

[:2-8] "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Cast Tease West End Play: 'It's Like Being in a F—ing Action Film'". Variety. November 17, 2023. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.

[:0-9] "Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Box Office". Phoenix Theatre, London. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

[10] Rice, Lynette (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Reveals Full Cast For World Premiere In London's West End". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.

[11] "Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things The First Shadow". Netflix Media Center. Retrieved May 30, 2025.

[lawson2025-12] Martin, Justin (June 17, 2025). "Theatrical hitmaker Justin Martin on Prima Facie's follow-up: 'It wrestles with how to bring up boys'". The Guardian (Interview). Interviewed by Lawson, Mark. Retrieved June 17, 2025.

[13] Huston, Caitlin (August 6, 2024). "Netflix's 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' to Open on Broadway in Spring 2025". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2024.

[14] "Stranger Things: The First Shadow – Broadway", Playbill. Retrieved 1 April 2025

[:3-15] Bitran, Tara (December 4, 2024). "Meet the Broadway Cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow Play". Netflix .

[16] "Cast & Creative - Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Site". uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

[17] "Cast & Creative - Stranger Things: The First Shadow US | March 2025". broadway.strangerthingsonstage.com/. Retrieved March 28, 2025.

[18] "Full casting announced for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the West End's Phoenix Theatre | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. September 25, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.

[19] "Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations". The Guardian. March 12, 2024. ISSN 0261-3077 . Retrieved March 12, 2024.

[20] "Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". December 7, 2023. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.

[21] Culwell-Block, Logan (May 16, 2025). "Nicole Scherzinger Wins Distinguished Performance at 2025 Drama League Awards; Read the Full Winners List". Playbill . Retrieved May 16, 2025.

[22] Culwell-Block, Logan (April 30, 2025). "Boop! Leads 2025 Drama Desk Award Nominations With 11 Nods Including Outstanding Musical; Read the Full List Here". Playbill . Retrieved May 12, 2025.

[23] Culwell-Block, Logan (May 12, 2025). "Maybe Happy Ending Leads 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill . Retrieved May 12, 2025.

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v t e Jack Thorne
TV series created	Cast Offs (2009) The Fades (2011) Glue (2014) The Last Panthers (2015) National Treasure (2016) Kiri (2018) The Virtues (2019) The Accident (2019) His Dark Materials (2019–2022) The Eddy (2020) Best Interests (2023) Toxic Town (2025) Adolescence (2025) The Hack (2025) Falling (TBA) Lord of the Flies (TBA)
Films written	The Scouting Book for Boys (2009) A Long Way Down (2014) War Book (2014) Wonder (2017) The Aeronauts (2019) Radioactive (2019) Dirt Music (2019) The Secret Garden (2020) Enola Holmes (2020) Help (2021) Then Barbara Met Alan (2022) The Swimmers (2022) Enola Holmes 2 (2022) An Almost Christmas Story (2024) Joy (2024) Chork (2026) Enola Holmes 3 (TBA)
Plays written	Sixty-Six Books (Oliver Lewis, 2011) Greenland (2011) Let The Right One In (2013) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016) A Christmas Carol (2017) King Kong (2018, Broadway version) After Life (2021) The Motive and the Cue (2023) When Winston Went to War with the Wireless (2023) Stranger Things: The First Shadow (2023)