Stranger Things creators confirm if spin-off is set in Montauk after emotional finale
Stranger Things creators Ross and Matt Duffer have addressed a popular fan theory after the Netflix hit's epic final episode
Warning - this article contains major spoilers for the Stranger Things finale
The creators of Stranger Things, Ross and Matt Duffer, have debunked a popular fan theory about the forthcoming Netflix spin-off. The acclaimed supernatural drama, set in the 1980s, wrapped up with a thrilling finale on Thursday (1st January), marking the end of the Hawkins gang's fight against Vecna (portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower) and the Upside Down.
In the epilogue, following a chilling encounter with the Mind Flayer on Dimension X and an emotional goodbye to Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), we catch a glimpse of where several beloved characters find themselves 18 months on.
After five series, Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) finally have the chance to enjoy a romantic dinner at Enzo's, during which Hopper proposes. Joyce, naturally, accepts, and they share a heartwarming dance, accompanied by enchanting backing vocals that sent viewers' hearts soaring worldwide, reports the Mirror.
During their date, Hopper also suggests relocating from Hawkins after a friend in New York hinted at a chief of police role becoming available in Montauk. This not only offers the much-loved Stranger Things couple an opportunity for a new beginning, but fans were quick to speculate that this refuge in Long Island could be the ideal location for the confirmed spin-off series.
One X user posted: "WAIT HOPPER WANTS TO GO TO MONTAUK?!!! #montauk that is where the whole story of Papa's Dad started. Is that the spinoff town?!!!" Another enthusiast speculated: "Oh you caught that huh? Montauk is the Easter egg for the next spinoff."
Nevertheless, in a post-finale discussion with Deadline, the Duffer Brothers have regrettably confirmed this isn't the case. Rather, the Montauk reference serves as a playful nod to Stranger Things' beginnings, which was originally revealed as a supernatural drama titled Montauk in 2015 before the setting shifted to the fictional Hawkins, Indiana.
Ross Duffer acknowledged there is indeed a clue regarding the spin-off, but stated: "I don't know if I want to, but I will say, though, it's not Hopper mentioning Montauk. There's no Montauk spinoff. That was more of a wink to the fans, deep-cut fans that know that the show started as Montauk."
Maintaining secrecy around their intentions, the co-showrunner added: "It's obviously not Holly (Nell Fisher) and the kids or anything like that. It's something much smaller than that. We've said this before, the spinoff idea we have, it is early days, but it is an entirely new mythology.
Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things.
"So, it is connected, and it is going to answer some questions that people have, and there's some lingering questions that weren't answered in the finale that will be answered in the spinoff. But at the end of the day, it's got its own story and its own mythology."
In a previous chat with Variety, Ross confirmed that there will be some "connective tissue" between the shows, but insisted that the spin-off won't mirror Star Wars with characters and locations interweaving.
However, the Duffers have revealed that there's a clue towards the new series concealed somewhere in the finale, prompting fans to embark on their next rewatch if they're keen to unearth some answers.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.