Stranger Things Season 5: Duffer Brothers Have Outlined All the Scripts

With Stranger Things Season 4 starting to stream on Netflix May 27, I recently got to speak to the creators of the series, Matt and Ross Duffer (the Duffer Brothers). During the brief but informative interview, they talked about how Season 4 became nine episodes instead of eight, how every episode is long but episodes seven and nine are like feature length movies, why they’re happy Netflix made them write a 25-page bible about the Upside Down after Season 1, how Stranger Things Season 4 is going to be the most revelatory season, and how the season hints at some big events that are going to happen in Season 5.
In addition, unlike the previous seasons where the Duffer Brothers were trying to finish the scripts while they were shooting episodes, because of the pandemic, they had a six-month hiatus where they used the time to write every episode in Season 4, and they also outlined all of Season 5. Matt Duffer explains:
“For the first time ever to write all nine. We had all the scripts before we started shooting, so we could look at the whole thing as a whole. And we outlined all of five. So it really is four and five or like of a piece, and this was due to the six-month hiatus that we had due to the pandemic. So we don't typically have as much time. It usually feels like the train is going down the tracks and Ross and I and our writers are just throwing down track as we're going, once we're halfway through the season. And for the first time ever, we were able to look at it globally, not just Season Four, but Season Five as well.”
I believe one of the reasons Season 4 is so good is due to the extra time spent on the scripts. Check out what the Duffer Brothers had to say in the player above, or you can read our conversation below.
Stranger Things Season 4 picks up six months after the events of the finale at the Starcourt Mall, and our main cast has been separated. We don’t know the fate of chief of police Jim Hopper (David Harbour), the Byers family (including Noah Schnapp's Will, Winona Ryder's Joyce, and Charlie Heaton's Jonathan) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) moved away from Hawkins, while Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Max (Sadie Sink), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Steve (Joe Keery), and Robin (Maya Hawke) try to carry on with their lives. It’s a time of peace. For now…
Additional cast members in Season 4 are Jamie Campbell Bower (Peter Ballard), Eduardo Franco (Argyle), Sherman Augustus (Lt. Colonel Sullivan), Mason Dye (Jason Carver), Nikola Djuricko (Yuri), Tom Wlaschiha (Dmitri), Myles Truitt (Patrick), Regina Ting Chen (Ms. Kelly), Grace Van Dien (Chrissy), Logan Riley Bruner (Fred Benson), Logan Allen (Jake), Elodie Grace Orkin (Angela), John Reynolds (Officer Callahan), Rob Morgan (Chief Powell), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie) and Robert Englund (Victor Creel).
Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 arrives May 27 and Volume 2 on July 1. Stranger Things is produced by Monkey Massacre Productions & 21 Laps Entertainment with The Duffer Brothers serving as executive producers, alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps Entertainment, Iain Paterson, and Curtis Gwinn.
#StrangerThings #DufferBrothers #MattDuffer #RossDuffer
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[@MaxSFA]

Out of all the interviews that has been coming out with the cast, this guy is definitely the best. Doesn't ask the same exact questions as every other interviewer.

[@Sigmundfrued]

it's ironic becuase if you look at other interviews he's been hated in the past 😂

[@WildcardASMR]

@@Sigmundfrued Perhaps he's found his calling?

[@artasiarimson7825]

Me trying to figure out what I’ll do when the last season is over🥺

[@demogorgonking8593]

Rewatch it. They will have a spin off series definitely. Because i will be broken if they dont.

[@shahanaparveen2413]

@@demogorgonking8593what would he plausible spins offs? if u have any idead?

[@yahyabah5736]

Matt and Ross are amazing 🤩 I love them so much they have been working so hard for the past 3 seasons and they’re making this season the best!

[@escapeplan4]

season5? I think that children's childrens will be playing this

[@patrickb1439]

It's such a comfort (for once) to hear showrunners realize that they need MORE time to tell a story PROPERLY; as opposed to trying to SHOVE it in to less time/episodes. And it's also great to hear that the network (NETFLIX) understood that and OK'd it. After seeing this season, personally, if they came out and said "S5 is probably gonna take 2 years before it's out, because we want to make sure we do it RIGHT",...... I'd be OK with that. It'd be a bummer, most definitely, but if that meant doing the story justice, giving all the characters SATISFYING resolutions, etc. etc., I'd support that 👍

[@billytessio6326]

*cough* Disney Star Wars *cough*

[@susivarga7303]

They learnt from the disaster that was the other D&D...

[@brysonfreeman7226]

@@susivarga7303 Game Of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

[@klc7275]

I would kill for an interview with you and the Duffers talking about behind the scenes and filmmaking. Please make that happen.

[@anntalmadge6733]

I hope Season 5 has more episodes and longest season yet

[@GoulGames]

i hope it has way more episodes

[@mydreaminorbit9297]

I loved that they sat down and wrote actual lore for the upside down. Duffer brothers writing is so strong.

[@morphor]

Honestly this whole time since S1, the only thing I've truly wanted was a release of that upside down lore bible. I understand that they haven't because of milking the series, but I would be completely ok if it ended after S1 and the only thing they released after was that lore bible.

[@azulaaaaa01]

@@morphor milking how? Every season is literally amazing... and if it ended at s1 the show wouldn't be as big.

[@morphor]

@@azulaaaaa01 S2 was honestly lackluster, but it was originally going to be an anthology series, with arguably more original ideas instead of having the same cast of characters/setting. Yes it probably wouldn't be as big otherwise, but sometimes things are better off as a one and done. That said, S3 was personally enjoyable (I can understand how others feel who didn't) but S4 was not gonna disagree, genuinely great, was it better than S1 though? IMO no. Personally I feel like they rushed S2 which might be why its' lackluster, but they rushed it because of the kids ages.

[@azulaaaaa01]

@@morphor oh i still loved s2 idk. all seasons are amazing to me. i loved max and billy mhm

[@jahimjauh-hey5653]

They are such interesting people that hardly do any interviews. I hope once they finish with 5 they do like a 3 hour sit down interview talking about the influences of Stranger Things.

[@Mokkari77]

I love the formula they started in season 1 where different characters or groups have their own separate storylines each investigating a piece of the big mystery and in the penultimate episode they all come together.

[@connorhughes7928]

That was a fantastic way to kick off the show

[@tolasp]

He certainly knows what questions to ask.

[@shahanaparveen2413]

exactly this i did not know how to put it in my words but THIS is incredible!

[@Samiii90210]

Thank you Duffer Brothers!!!

[@taraevans1108]

I was so bummed about the pandemic pause... but I LOVE the fact the writers had more time to solidify the end game.

[@gonaye1]

Now that I’ve actually seen Season 4, hearing that Season 4 and 5 are ‘of a piece’ is EXTREMELY exciting to think about!!!

[@eldayemanee1168]

i don’t get that part though will season 5 be released or is deacon 5 season 4

[@Alex-fu3mi]

@@eldayemanee1168 I think they’re referring to the stories of S4 & S5 being connected, not a release schedule. They haven’t even started filming S5 yet. Like instead of two distinct seasons, the story is like one huge story taking place over two seasons. Which after seeing the finale of S4, makes a lotta sense.

[@eldayemanee1168]

@@Alex-fu3mi ohh okay ty

[@simivalley1908]

Thank you Matt, thank you Ross . Enjoyed working on the show last year. I enjoyed seeing how meticulous you were and learned a lot from you .

[@frankenviews4069]

So the whole Vecna / 001 origin story was already written in the Series Bible that was made for Netflix executives way back when Season One was being shot.

[@Mikeyw9119]

These men are a godsend for tv writing/directing. I have a new found appreciation for people as passionate about their art as these guys have had. Just the fact that even 6 years later they are no less passionate about this series than when it first started. If only game of thrones benefited from such a creative team

[@griplimit]

Netflix should just give the Duffer brothers the “key’s to the Lamborghini” sort of speak to allow them to do whatever they want, Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s biggest money maker and property they own!

[@bobschets721]

Great interview

[@findingvtatamic6501]

God... Can't wait for S5...!!! 🔥🔥 Just finished S4 yesterday ✨❤️✨🔥

[@niyahsimah5660]

I hope we get season 5 sooner than we got season 4.

[@GoulGames]

its either wait a long time and get a really good season or don't wait at all and get a bad one

[@NikkiBWithTheAdHd]

Loved this interview. Asking all the questions I need! Hoping for these HUGE episodes for season 5. They’ve really spoiled us with this season. It’s been amazing!

[@mydreaminorbit9297]

I missed this show so much. I'm so excited for this season.

[@marymazzei1863]

So so so good, please consider more. Netfix should not let this show stop. Netflix needs this show lets face it. Why does it have to end.

[@darkwoods1954]

I'd love a Hellfire Club spin off about Eddie and the other three older members and their band.

[@urlocalbylershipper]

SO EXITED!!

[@He4rtsforhellokittyy]

PLEASE MAKE THE LAST SEASON 13 EPISODES I DONT WANT THIS SERIES TO END ITS THE BEST!! i honestley wish u guys could really make more seasons!! Its so sad thinking that this series is gonna end so soon!! I loved this long journey but sadly it has come to a end🙁😓......

[@jimmycarranza4854]

Actually he’s wrong about the 8 episodes for each season, In season 2 it had 9 episodes

[@skboog]

The fact all of these episodes ARE like movies with that much care and depth in the story is a gift in todays times. It also shows the potential of Netflix, if they realised what they have with series like Mind Hunter and keep supporting these they will could very well take the lead in any subscription service just by producing the best content.

[@thefishouttawatta8876]

I really hope they release the 5 page “bible” on the upside down after season 5 is released. I would love to see it

[@anahita5308]

25 page* actually but yeah it would be interesting

[@ZachIsHungry1]

Wow I hope when the show is over they release that outline of how the upside down mythology works

[@anujrawat3513]

Okay they are releasing 5-6 movies in name of a web series

[@JaySewani]

That's why it has 200M$ budget

[@demogorgonking8593]

@@JaySewani 270 million

[@anujrawat3513]

Well it's not too much previous seasons are also with same budget 30M$ per episode

[@johannahbagaoisan9872]

Man i really wanna know the interviewer’s name whatever ur name is thank u so much ive always loved watching ur interviews even the ones u did in season 3. Please please please be a moderator for a really long interview with the cast and crew of stranger things thank u

[@sofiaofner8282]

His name is Steve, Caleb asked him on an interview of season 3 :)

[@sharronmiller451]

Duffer brothers pleas come up with more Netflix originals. I love Stranger Things so much. I will be sad when it ends. I am 74 years old and I have enjoyed it so much!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jessicarose9208]

I really don’t want to interject. I think that there’s some great percolating minds here. I feel like nine is probably having to do with the nine layers of hell ha ha ha ha. I’m wondering though if the storyline they may not want to answer this, or they shouldn’t answer this, I’ve tried to understand, dungeons and dragons for the life of me. That’s not true it’s really hard for me to keep my attention on it I mean not to say that it’s not something I would appreciate. I did realize that there’s a lot of esoteric ideas that may go into it. But it’s got more of a military team effort rather than something esoteric or hermeticism or Hermetics. But it does seem that there’s a lot of Symbolism and I think it’s just beautiful the way these two have incorporated elements of Glenn Close intovecna I mean sorry Alex Forest Calvin and Hobbs is wonderfully represented in the character of Dustin and his little friend whose name is very important, dart. It’s really funny I have my own ideas about the idea of where dart comes from. I think of Artemis anyway, listen, I also feel like the twins. They remind me of maybe a Calvin and Hobbs. But that’s to bring the twins into the show which I don’t think they want so I’m going to leave it at that. I do feel there is a lot of elements of Calvinism and hubbles constant and other math stuff that I don’t know. of course, Susie is Susie from Calvin and Hobbs. and it really is a never-ending story. That’s pretty much what Hubbles constant is. And Hubbles constant is also looks like hod. Actually, I know they mentioned planks constant, but Hubbles constant is actually the eighth sapphire . Known as hod, and Walt Whitman is usually known for kind of existing in that sefirot when his musings are on like always like going like trying to open that door to get closer and closer to it but like he never gets there. OK sorry thank you bye-bye I have more to say but geez like it’s it’s a lot of fun. I can’t watch the whole show cause I just I get anxiety about goddamn everything these days but I’m just loving this beautiful piece from what I have seen of it. I mean I watch it here and there like on and off kind of thing just to pick up things and use off of it because I feel like maybe because the way they write is very there’s a fluency that I can embrace here. and I’m proud of my fellow 1984 dudes.

[@ivanka7374]

THEYYY>>>

[@Cryptosifu]

George Lucas did have kids! Great storytellers.

[@newwavepop]

how many episodes, i think that is sort of not that simple. i mean if you are a big hit show with a huge following and people have been waiting a very long time for a new season you might kind of want to make as many episodes as possible without it dragging or having useless filler. a lot of people complained in season two about the episodes where Eleven goes off and hangs out with that new group of people. i didnt mind it personally and i always enjoy having more of a show i like. but man a lot of people really hated that part and complained a lot so they dont want to do that again, but at the same time like i said people have been waiting a very long time for this season so i personally would have loved if they could have squeezed as many episodes as possible into it.

[@shahanaparveen2413]

same i just love these characters so much that i would watch every filler episode or scenes possible! but not everyone will agree to sit and watch fillers man i wish they would have more seasonss

[@misterbobby8913]

Duffer brothers, hear me out: please don't make will byers gay. At this moment, only 7.1% of the U.S. population falls under the Lgbtq category. It's risen from previous years. Now, imagine far back in the 1980s. Come on now. And especially in a small town, In Central U.S. please. And - you *already* have a lesbian character: robin. What are the friggin odds that Will Also happens to be a member of the Lgbtq, what are the friggin odds?! Statistically and Logistically speaking: this is impossible. Please don't sell out. Just for the sake of winning over the woke people. These same woke people shit on the classic 80s movies that *you yourselves* love and inspired this series. Please, Don't sell out. Will is an Amazing character. Who's gone through intense trauma. And I love his arc in season 3 so far. He is realizing slowly but steadily that he must grow up. Truthfully, I haven't seen season 4 yet out of fear of you guys caving into pressure and making him gay. Which would be ridiculous. And highly disappointing. Ignore these woke mob of people. If anything, Give Will a girlfriend at the final season, that would be even better, show these people that you won't be pressured and it's your work and vision. And look, you already have a lesbian character, checkmark on that. You're good. But come on now, as a fellow young guy who grew up very similar to you both, and who relates to will alot, please for the Love of God, don't make Will gay. I was timid in school. And a movie buff. But not anything remotely close to being physically buff, ha. I was also bullied, as both of you were as well I reckon. And what these woke people don't understand, is that being called gay was the norm back then. It's like the whole world went upside down since 2015. I'm only in my 20s. Please don't sell out, Ross and Matt. Will is an introverted thinking Young Man, as I am and you both are, and many of us were. In fact, it's even more Triumphant to see Will have a Heroic Brave Moment of Courage and Victory. See him become a Man, and Leader. In fact, even more of a leader - than Mike. Will deserves this, not out of pity, but because by all means, he is the central figure of the show. He is the True Protagonist, in my opinion, and of many others who have Good Taste in Cinema. I really hope you guys read this message of mine.

[@timothyherlihy6480]

Really dude? You had almost no time to talk, so you asked them why there were 9 episodes!? Argh!

[@pepperminttree]

so happy to hear about the long episodes

[@catrinacraft]

I'm listening to them talk to see if they are mad geniuses. Stranger Things is an incredible show!

[@margaretrouth1458]

PLEASE have Murray choose Steve or Jonathan for Nancy

[@aj551]

Murray def gon choose Jonathan 😂

[@loriwitmer6596]

They are brilliant!

[@ClaireSpratlen]

Ok can you the duffer brothers plssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss make Eddie alive plssssssssassssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss I beg u plssszzzzs

[@wisteela]

Superb. This is going to be fantastic.

[@antinishiaewing5946]

So after stranger things then what’s next for you guys!? Are you guys producing anymore movies… tv shows. 🤓

[@demogorgonking8593]

Spin off series if we demand.

[@sephfcuoctasphere1978]

I love them!!!!

[@jessicarose9208]

Ah ummm,…Longer

[@jessicarose9208]

A Virgil is in this.

[@peteriuliano5846]

Will - at some point - SEASON 5 - be what I think akin to RAISING ARIZONA where the action if not incredibly wonderfully crazy and powerful that it takes over the plot and just unleashes itself when the dire needs of survival kicks in for the town of HAWKINS to liberate itself from the curse of V.

[@urlocalbylershipper]

11 like lmao

[@AnasKhan-zf4ju]

Both the brothers are cool!

[@shellyjane8305]

YASSSSSS

[@BiggyCheese999]

Don’t think they will be making season 5 in like a few months is takes for ever to edit all of those and think about you editing all those movies for 2 years from now how different it will be

[@thekustomknight2264]

Im not keen on waiting 2 years for season 5 fml

[@newagehero9605]

So are the comics canon or not? Because no interviewers are asking that question.

[@mcigloo]

I saw an interview a couple weeks ago where they said that the comics are absolutely NOT canon. I just spent the last hour trying to find the interview again so I could link it here for you but I can't find it anywhere.

[@charlottemalone8644]

I hope in season 5 they being Eddie and max back.. 😭

[@guysiminthehotelicant6987]

SAME😭

[@scrapbaby9663]

max is in a coma and honestly she probably will come back but eddie.. all we can do is hope

[@GoulGames]

max will probably come back blind

[@ayenyeinthu6071]

Me too. Can’t wait to see Eddie again. 😢

[@Star-rt9ll]

The duffer brother did say Eddie's death was real and meaningful and max will most likely be in it becus she is one of the main characters.

[@941fhzizkg89]

Byler please.

[@ratqueensalad]

YES

[@GoulGames]

i think will is gonna confess his feelings but mike has a girlfriend so..

[@ayenyeinthu6071]

Hope Eddie is back in season 5. Please bring him back brothers, I beg you . 😢

[@beckyburke2438]

bring eddie back

[@janetfoster4898]

I hope no one dies

[@blakeudell]

I swear I had read/heard somewhere that 4 was the ending. Seeing as I haven't really enjoyed much except the first season, I'm a bit concerned about this, but season 4 looks like a nice shift upward in terms of maturity/scare factor, so the other half of me is optimistic.

[@patriciawang170]

There’s going to be 5 seasons though

[@meowbahhyt]

Stranger Things is cringe agreed Season 1 should have been the end

[@manyachaudhary8191]

@@meowbahhyt love how you keep saying st is bad while are going around commenting on every single interview... Obsessed much?

[@INFP-Turd]

@@meowbahhyt why even hate on something you don’t even want to hear or watch about? Move on with your life and ignore Stranger Things content if you hate it. Watching these interviews and trolling in the comments is a waste of your time and you’re basically being a hypocrite and contradicting yourself.

[@FireJach]

I hope they didnt forget to make story for Will and let Steve evolve, and make funny dialogues. S4 is the worst

[@tb3621]

Overrated writers.

[@demogorgonking8593]

They are not overrated. Their writing is way better than starwars, GOT writers.

[@tb3621]

@@demogorgonking8593 It’s my opinion, while you have yours…That’s the great thing about opinions, we both can have one. Season 1 was great, but since then there has been poor character development and many weak episodes.

[@meowbahhyt]

Stranger Things season 4 will ruin the show's legacy. Should have ended at Season 1

[@nooooy3866]

👎

[@jds7665]

Ruin the shows legacy? This IS the shows legacy

[@alkoholic3216]

Better than the last season so far and the last season wasn’t even bad

[@luv3901]

YOU MADDD

[@myth3516]

Swallow your words. This season was amazing!