'Stranger Things' Fans Demand 'The First Shadow' Play on Netflix After Series Finale 'Confusion'
TV Insider••entertainment
Key Points:
- Stranger Things concluded its series with a finale revealing key backstory about the villain Henry Creel/Vecna, much of which was previously explored in the prequel stage play, The First Shadow.
- The First Shadow, which debuted in London in December 2023 and on Broadway in April 2025, details Henry’s origin, his powers gained in a Nevada cave, and his connection to the Abyss and Upside Down, alongside exploring the youth of main characters Joyce, Hopper, and Bob.
- Fans have expressed frustration that The First Shadow play is not widely accessible for streaming, arguing that its content is essential to fully understanding the finale and the broader narrative of Stranger Things.
- The play is currently running at the Phoenix Theatre in London
