'Stranger Things' Season 5 Re-Write Confirmed by Netflix After Disappointing Finale? Shocking Details Here

Four weeks after Netflix's hit series Stranger Things concluded, many fans were left disappointed by the finale of its ten-year run. While the final chapter divided opinion, the world of Hawkins is far from finished.

The Stranger Things universe is continuing to expand through its confirmed spin-offs, and Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is already beginning to reshape the show's established lore. Here's how.

A New Chapter Set Between Seasons

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 has been confirmed to be rewriting the series' lore with the addition of a new character. Developed by Eric Robles, Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is an animated prequel television series set in the winter of 1985, placing it squarely between Seasons 2 and 3 of Stranger Things.

As such, Tales From '85 will reunite audiences with younger versions of Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin and Max.

The series is set during a turbulent moment in the timeline, when Will was being manipulated by the Mind Flayer and Eleven was hiding out at Hopper's cabin. The show also introduces Kali into the story.

This period follows the events of Season 2 and precedes Season 3, which later revealed the Russians' efforts to open a gate to the Upside Down by constructing a secret laboratory beneath the newly built Starcourt Mall in Hawkins.

Meet Nikki Baxter

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 will introduce a character named Nikki Baxter, who is described as taller and bigger than Eleven and her friends.

So far, that's everything that we know about Nikki, and the voice actor for this character is also unknown.

A Character We've Never Seen Before

The new character was never introduced throughout the five seasons of the original series, nor did she appear in any other part of the franchise.

As a result, many fans believe she may not last long in the prequel spin-off, as Nikki was never previously established within the show's canon.

Another theory gaining traction among fans is that Nikki and her family moved out of Hawkins at the end of the series, allowing her to live a normal life far removed from the horrors of the Upside Down and everything associated with it.

Could Nikki Rewrite The Canon?

While the addition of a new character has sparked excitement, it has also raised concerns that Nikki's inclusion could disrupt the established lore of Stranger Things.

Fans have noted that the creators need to be careful not to contradict the show's canon—not just in terms of the story and monsters, but also with Nikki herself.

The biggest concern is that she was never mentioned in the main series, so her presence in the franchise might feel irrelevant, raising the question of why she was introduced at all.

Some believe Nikki might join the core group, but others argue that her inclusion could alter the canon and change the dynamics between the existing characters. Many fear this could create unnecessary plot holes and inconsistencies.

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 will need to be very clever in integrating Nikki—balancing her interactions with the group, her role in the story, and explaining why she was never referenced before—to preserve the canon while making her addition meaningful.

Although fans' concerns are valid, Nikki's addition could hold surprises and potentially be the key to reshaping or enhancing the Stranger Things lore. For now, fans can hope that the prequel will do justice to the disappointing finale and finally answer the series' lingering questions.