David Harbour is right – it’s time for Stranger Things to end
Opinion: it’s time to stop turning the world Upside Down
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Stranger Thingsstar David Harbour believes it’s time for the wildly popular Netflix show to end – and I wholeheartedly agree.
Speaking toDiscussing Film, Harbour said it was bittersweet that one of thebest Netflix showswill end after ifs fifth and final season. However, the award-winning actor suggested it was for the best, and would allow the Duffer brothers –Stranger Things' creators – and the main cast to work on other projects.
As someone who’s watchedStranger Thingssince its premiere, it’ll be as bittersweet for me when the credits roll onStranger Thingsseason 5’s final episode. That’ll officially bring down the curtain on one ofNetflix’s biggest hits and I, like every other fan of the series, will wonder what we’ll watch in a post-Stranger Thingsworld.
Harbour is right, though, in his belief thatStranger Thingsshould finish after five seasons; at least where the main show is concerned. The Duffer brothers and Netflix are already collaborating on new projects in theStranger Thingsfranchise, including a stage play and other spin-offs.
But I digress. The finish line is in sight forStranger Things' main TV series, and that’s a good thing.
How so? Every show has its own lifecycle. Some work best with a three-season arc – a trilogy, if you will, which is an increasingly common production formula in the movie and TV industries. Others find success as a limited series, such as other Netflix hits likeThe Queen’s GambitandUnbelievable. Then there are TV series, such asGrace and FrankieorBetter Call Saul, that require five-plus seasons to wrap up their stories, and do so in highly entertaining fashion.
There are some shows, though, that simply outstay their welcome.The Walking Dead(11 seasons),How I Met Your Mother(nine seasons),Scrubs(nine seasons), and – whisper it quietly – evenThe Simpsons(34 seasons and counting) should have ended far earlier. They and countless others ran out of narrativesteambefore they were put out of their misery (inThe Simpsons' case, the end is yet to come), allowing hugely successful shows to become shadows of their former selves.
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WithStranger Things5 set to be the final installment in the main show, it won’t fall into the same trap (unless season 5 absolutely sucks, that is). As long as the Duffer brothers wrap up the overarching story, and each character’s arc, in satisfying ways,Stranger Thingswill end on a high note rather than a low one.
As Harbour suggests, the end ofStranger Thingswill enable its cast and crew to fly the nest and showcase their obvious talents on other projects.
True,Stranger Thingshasn’t prevented the cast from pursuing other roles. Millie Bobby Brown has starred in twoEnola Holmesfilms for Netflix, Sadie Sink recently wowed audiences alongside Brendan Fraser inThe Whale, and Harbour himself has become aMarvelstar (he appeared inBlack Widow,and will reprise his role as Red Guardian inThunderboltsin 2024) and has been the lead in other movies, such asViolent Nightand 2018’s failedHellboyreboot.
However, it’s clear that the cast’s contractual obligations toStranger Thingsare holding them back from branching out. As Harbour told Discussing Film, he was concerned that he might not be able to feature inThunderbolts, as its rumored filming schedule clashes with that ofStranger Things5. Shawn Levy, an executive producer-director on the Netflix show, almost missed the chance to direct aMarvel Phase 5film – Deadpool 3 – for a similar reason.
Thankfully for the pair,Marveland Netflix have come to an agreement that enables them to work on their forthcoming projects simultaneously. Levy and Harbour (and other cast and crew members), though, won’t have to worry about such issues onceStranger Thingsseason 5 has wrapped production.
But what of Netflix? The world’sbest streaming servicewill lose one of its most popular shows whenStranger Things' main series ends. Isn’t it in its best interest to keep the franchise going?
Well, yes – and, as I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of spin-off projects in development. The conclusion ofStranger Things, though, will allow Netflix to focus on other breakout hits, such asWednesdayandSquid Game, and pump funds fromStranger Things' production into new series that it will hope can assume that show’s mantle as the top dogs of its TV catalog.
It’ll be a sad day whenStranger Things' main show finishes, but Harbour is right: it’s time for the supernatural sci-fi series to draw to a close – and I know that its creators, cast, and crew will give it the best possible send-off.
Over to you, Netflix.
For more Netflix TV-based coverage, get the lowdown onThe Witcherseason 3,Arcaneseason 2, andSquid Gameseason 2.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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