Netflix Brings Broadway's 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' to Global Audiences with Pro-Shot Film
In a major move for entertainment enthusiasts, Netflix is currently filming the Broadway stage production 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' for a future streaming release. This initiative will transform the theatrical expansion of the beloved 'Stranger Things' universe into a digital spectacle, allowing fans worldwide to experience the magic from their living rooms.
Preserving the Original Broadway Cast Before Upcoming Changes
The filming process is meticulously capturing the original Broadway company in its current form, ensuring that the production is preserved before significant cast transitions occur. As reported by Variety, the play opened on Broadway on April 22, 2025, at the Marquis Theatre, following its successful West End debut in December 2023. The production has seen a surge in demand, particularly after the final season of 'Stranger Things' premiered on Netflix, making it one of Broadway's top weekly earners with recent grosses of approximately 1.4 million dollars.
Cast Transitions and Key Performances
The Broadway production is led by Tony nominee Louis McCartney, who originated the role of Henry Creel in London's West End and continues to portray him on Broadway. However, a new ensemble is scheduled to take over toward the end of March. The upcoming cast includes:
- Victor de Paula Rocha as Henry Creel
- Ayana Cymone as Patty Newby
- Shea Grant as Joyce Maldonado
- Juan Carlos as Bob Newby
- Matthew Erick White as James Hopper Jr.
Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions are spearheading the filming efforts, with plans to complete shooting before the original cast departs on March 29. While no specific release date has been announced for the filmed version, the project aims to immortalize this theatrical experience for streaming audiences.
Exploring the Prequel Narrative Set in 1959 Hawkins
Penned by Kate Trefry and based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' serves as a standalone prequel within the franchise's rich mythology. Set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, the story follows teenage Henry Creel and his family as they seek a fresh start in a new town.
As eerie disturbances begin to plague Hawkins, Henry gradually confronts the terrifying possibility that he may be connected to the encroaching darkness. The narrative delves into the early lives of familiar characters, weaving threads that intricately link to the events of the television series, including its fifth and final season.
Production Details and Creative Team
Directed by Stephen Daldry and co-directed by Justin Martin, the production boasts a cast of 34 performers and features ambitious stagecraft that blends practical effects with cinematic flair. The Duffer Brothers act as creative producers, while Shawn Levy's 21 Laps Entertainment is attached as an associate producer. This collaboration ensures a seamless integration of the play's theatrical elements with the visual storytelling that fans expect from the 'Stranger Things' franchise.
Netflix had previously documented the making of the play in 'Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow', released in April 2025. Now, with cameras rolling inside the Marquis Theatre, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' is poised to transcend traditional theatre boundaries, offering a lasting legacy that allows global audiences to explore Hawkins and the ominous Upside Down from the comfort of their homes.
