For over ten years, Matt and Ross Duffer had been immersed in the world of Stranger Things. From writing the early scripts to shopping the show to potential streaming services and eventually delivering a hit, a good portion of their lives was dedicated to that one series. Stranger Things concluded several months ago, allowing the brothers to focus on other projects. The duo were executive producers on the recently released horror series Something Very Bad is Going to Happen, in addition to executive-producing the upcoming Stranger Things animated spin-off series Tales from ‘85. Meanwhile, the duo is also dipping their feet back into sci-fi with a new series premiering next month.
Titled The Boroughs, the eight-episode sci-fi series trades the young characters of Stranger Things for a more mature ensemble and a more mature setting. “In a seemingly perfect retirement community, a grieving newcomer’s monstrous encounter inspires him to join a misfit crew of unlikely heroes who uncover a dark secret that proves their ‘golden years’ are more dangerous, and they are more formidable, than anyone expects,” the show’s official description teases. The series has assembled a capable cast that includes Alfred Molina (Sam), Geena Davis (Renee), Alfre Woodard (Judy), Clarke Peters (Art), Denis O’Hare (Wally), and Bill Pullman (Jack), among others.
The Duffer Brothers are executive producers on The Boroughs, and while the characters are not what their fans are used to, the duo promises they’re just as endearing. “While the heroes in The Boroughs have a few more years on them than the kids from Stranger Things, they are a similarly lovable bunch of misfits, and we can’t wait for you to join them on an adventure that is at turns scary, funny, and deeply touching,” they said in a statement.
Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.
You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.
The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.
You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.
Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.
The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Matt and Ross previously confirmed that they have ideas they’re working on bringing to life, but they might not be at Netflix. They are set to depart the streaming service for an exclusive four-year deal with Paramount. “When Matt and I were talking about what we want to do next, it really came down to we wanted to do a movie, specifically an original movie — a big original film,” Ross said when asked why they were moving. “And theatrical is so important to us.” They are yet to reveal what projects they will be releasing under Paramount, however.
All episodes of The Boroughs hit Netflix on May 21, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Augustine Frizzell, Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Ben Taylor