Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a stage play written by Kate Trefry, based on an original story co-created by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry. The plot functions as a prequel to the *Stranger Things* TV series, focusing on Henry Creel’s early life before he transforms into the villain Vecna. Directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, the play began previews on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14 at London’s Phoenix Theatre in the West End. It later launched on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in New York City on April 22, 2025. On June 9, 2026, both the West End and Broadway runs announced their closing dates. In a *Variety* interview, the Duffer Brothers confirmed the play is canon to the series, and the series finale includes references to events from the play. In 1943, the U.S. conducts secret experiments on the USS *Eldridge*, aiming to make the ship invisible to German forces using a force field. Instead, the ship is transported to a place called the Abyss, where most of the crew are killed by strange humanoid creatures. In 1959, the Creel family—Victor, his wife Virginia, and their children Henry (older son) and Alice (younger daughter)—move to a new home in Hawkins, Indiana. Henry is troubled, mentally disturbed, and possesses powerful psychokinetic abilities. At Hawkins High School, he struggles to make friends but quickly bonds with Patty Newby, the principal’s daughter. Patty convinces Henry that his powers aren’t evil and that he can control them for good. He creates a vision for Patty where she sings with support from everyone around her. They develop a romantic relationship, meeting daily after school and eventually sharing a kiss. Meanwhile, Joyce Maldonado works on staging a school production of *Dark of the Moon*. Alone in the attic, Henry is overtaken by a shadowy presence; his mind enters a “battlefield,” where he kills several animals, including Claudia Yount’s cat Prancer. He is haunted by visions of a humanoid monster and fears he will be forced to kill Patty. Patty’s adoptive brother Bob teams up with Joyce and her friend James Hopper Jr. to investigate the animal deaths. Patty asks Henry to use his powers to find her biological mother. While in the void, he loses control and the monster appears again.