The Duffer Brothers Confirm That The 2022 Season Of 'Stranger Things' Will Be Followed By One Final Season

We've known for a while that season four wouldn't be the end of 'Stranger Things', but this week the show's creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, gave fans an idea of what they can expect from the show's future.

Around the release of the hit Netflix series third season Ross told Vulture, "we're thinking it will be a four-season thing and then out." But in a later interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2020, Ross said, "season four won't be the end. We know what the end is, and we know when it is."

Matt said, "we've had a lot more time to work on the scripts. For the first time, we have all the scripts written and we're able to look at it as a whole piece and make adjustments."

At this time we didn't know exactly what this meant. It could have been a fifth season or perhaps a one-off feature length finale, but now the Duffer brothers have finally revealed their plans to fans of the supernatural series.

Matt and Ross broke the news in a letter to fans posted on Netflix's social media channels. The letter said, "seven years ago, we planned out the complete story arc for 'Stranger Things'. At the time, we predicted the story would last four to five seasons. It proved too large to tell in four, but — as you'll soon see for yourselves — we are now hurtling toward our finale. Season 4 will be the penultimate season; season 5 will be the last."

It's been two and a half years since Netflix brought us any new adventures in Hawkins, Indiana, but the letter also confirmed that wait is almost over. The show's creators wrote that the nine episodes in the show's fourth season will be split into two volumes with the first landing on May 27, followed by the second half on July 1.

It's not yet known exactly how the season will be split, but Netflix have previously revealed the titles of all nine upcoming episodes.

It was July 4, 2019 when we were last enthralled with new episodes of the hit supernatural series. The third season came to an end with Hopper and Joyce bravely fighting their way into the Russians' secret bunker under Starcourt Mall an an attempt to put an end to the Russians' attempt to re-open the gate to the deadly realm that is the Upside Down.

Finally, today Netflix revealed that the series will return, but the show runners confirmed that season four will be "the beginning of the end."

The letter read: "With nine scripts, over 800 pages, almost two years of filming, thousands of visual effects shots, and a runtime nearly twice the length of any previous season, 'Stranger Things 4' was the most challenging season yet, but also the most rewarding one. Everyone involved is incredibly proud of the results, and we can't wait to share it with you."

The Duffers continued: "Given the unprecedented length, and to get it to you as soon as possible, Season 4 will be released in two volumes. Volume One will release on May 27; Volume Two will release five weeks later on July 1. So that's the good news. It's coming soon. And it’s better than ever. It's also the beginning of the end."

The letter ended by telling fans: "There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of 'Stranger Things'; new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes. But first we hope that you stay with us as we finish this tale of a powerful girl named Eleven and her brave friends, of a broken police chief and a ferocious mom, of a small town called Hawkins and an alternate dimension known only as the Upside Down. As always, we are grateful for your patience and support."

Other than what appeared to be the demise of Hopper, the story was wrapped up nicely at the end of the third season. Although we saw the gang go their own separate ways, it was inevitable that something would bring them back together for at least one more adventure.

The action will pick up six months after the epic Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, the gang of friends consisting of Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas and Eleven, are separated for the first time.

The kids find themselves navigating the complexities of high school. Something which will be especially tough for Eleven, who is now living like a normal kid in California with Will and his older brother, Jonathan. Presumably their mother Joyce adopted Eleven in Hopper's absence.

In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.