It was announced this past week that the Broadway prequel of Stranger Things, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, has been professionally filmed for an eventual premiere on Netflix. The stage production was captured from February 10th through the 14th, with all public performances at the Marquis Theatre canceled during that window. Regular performances are set to return on Sunday, February 15th. While the filming is a major milestone, Netflix has not yet confirmed an official release date for the show.
The Original Cast Takes a Bow
Filming took place this week so that it could be filmed with the original cast, with them departing the show on March 29th, when a new cast will take over. The current cast is led by Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance. Other cast members include Rosie Benton as Virginia Creel, Alex Breaux (who played the role of Lt. Akers in ST5) as Dr. Brenner, Andrew Hovelson as Principal Newby, Alison Jaye as Joyce Maldonado, Emmy nominee T.R. Knight as Victor Creel, Emmy nominee Gabrielle Nevaeh as Patty Newby, Lia Christina and Francesca Yhlen as Alice Creel, Juan Carlos as Bob Newby, and Burke Swanson as James Hopper, Jr.
Following March 29th, the new cast will include Victor de Paula Rocha as Henry, Ayana Cymone as Patty, Shea Grant as Joyce, and Matthew Erick White as Hopper.
The Play is Canon
As a prequel to the main series, The First Shadow is considered a vital piece of Stranger Things canon, with several events in the fifth and final season directly referencing the production. The play serves as the origin story for Henry Creel (Vecna), following him during his teenage years in 1959. It answers the long-standing mystery of how he gained his powers. The audience also gets a front-row seat to the early lives of Hawkins legends Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado (later Byers), as well as how Dr. Brenner ended up in Hawkins.
A Broadway Record Breaker
The Broadway production opened on April 22nd, 2025, at the Marquis Theatre, following the 2024 opening in London. Especially following the release of Stranger Things 5, the play has been one of the most popular shows on Broadway, recently shattering records for the Marquis Theatre and grossing over 2.5 million dollars for the last full week of December 2025. The show has won four Tony awards including Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design, and best Illusions and Technical Effects. There were additional nominations for Best Lead Actor and Costume Design. The First Shadow has consistently earned positive reviews, with a score of 91% positive on Show Score and 4.8 star rating on Broadway.com.
Streaming Before a Tour?
While Netflix has not yet set a release date, fans are hoping a late 2026 debut. Interestingly, the timing of the digital release may depend on the show’s future “on the road.” The national tours for the upcoming 2026-2027 theater season have not been announced, but Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a strong contender to be on that list. With national tour announcements for the upcoming season expected this spring, producers will have to decide if a Netflix premiere will boost or hurt tour ticket sales, potentially playing a role in its release on Netflix.
Until then, the only places to see the shadows of Hawkins’ past are New York’s Broadway and London’s West End. Tickets to the Broadway performance are currently on sale through September 6th, 2026.
