What's next for Stranger Things after 'secret episode nine' is officially debunked

Stranger Things fans hopeful that a ‘secret Episode Nine’ was set to be released yesterday have been left disappointed after the viral theory was officially debunked.

Called ‘Conformity Gate’, the theory revolved around the idea that Netflix’s 7 January event ‘What’s Next’ was going to announce that the finale we got was fake.

The theory gained massive traction online, with over $7,000,000 having been bet on the idea that an episode would release yesterday.

The day has come and gone and ‘What’s Next’ didn’t include even a hint to more Stranger Things. In addition to this, Variety confirmed that there is no secret episode nine, crushing the hopes of super fans across the world.

Whilst there is no secret episode nine however, there is a lot of shows and movies for Stranger Things fans to follow, including a spin-off focused on a key moment in the finale as well as future projects from both the actors on the show and the creators, the Duffer brothers.

Stranger Things spin-off is not going to be set in Hawkins

Don't expect Eleven to show up in the spin-off (Netflix)

While the Duffer Brothers have been slightly coy about the upcoming spin-off series that was announced, they have been clear about one thing: it isn’t going to be set in Hawkins, it isn’t going to be set in the 80s, and it isn’t going to feature any of the characters we’ve come to know and love.

You might be wondering then: “How is that a Stranger Things show?” The biggest hint so far has been the Duffer brothers confirming that the mysterious space rock found in a briefcase by Henry Creel, turning him into Vecna, will be part of the spin-off.

Matt Duffer said in an interview after the finale when asked about the rock: “The spinoff is going to delve into that and explain that, and you’re going to understand it. But it’s a completely different mythology.”

Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max, Will, and Eleven are coming back for another show – but not how you’d expect

The main characters of Stranger Things have been confirmed to be returning for an upcoming series, but none of the main cast are going to be playing them.

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is an upcoming Stranger Things animated spin-off which will look at the adventures the party had between seasons two and three.

While the release date has not been confirmed, it is slated for some time in 2026, and will see Eric Robles take over from the Duffer brothers as showrunner, with the brothers acting as executive producers for the series.

Matt Duffer told Collider the animated show was going to surprise people with ‘how good it is’, adding: “If you love the show the most around Seasons 2 and 3, I think you’re going to love the cartoon. And it's not that ‘kiddie.’ It's a monster show.”

The Duffer brothers and core actors all have projects lined up outside of Stranger Things

The Stranger Things cast and the Duffer brothers (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

The Duffer brothers are not solely working on shows linked to Stranger Things and have been confirmed to be executive producers on horror drama Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen and Netflix sci-fi show The Boroughs.

David Harbour is set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday but recently dropped out of a film citing the need to rest and recover, whilst Millie Bobby Brown will next appear in Netflix’s Enola Holmes 3.

Multiple actors from the show have been catapulted to stardom however, with Sadie Sink joining the MCU in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Maya Hawke set to appear in the new Hunger Games film.

Charlie Heaton was one of the stand-out stars for many in season five and will be the newest face joining Industry as it returns for season four this weekend.

Joe Keery is perhaps even better known for his work as Djo now, but will also appear in Cold Storage alongside Liam Neeson, and Gaten Matarazzo, Finn Wolfhard, and Caleb McLaughlin all have films lined up.

Noah Schnapp, Winona Ryder, and Natalie Dyer have not yet announced their next projects.