Could there be a place more sinister than the Upside Down? Well, according to Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy, season 3 of the famed Netflix series will bring “forces of evil that are new.” We’re ready. To be honest, the whole sticky, dark vibe of that place is getting kind of tired.
Levy told Glamour that even though the Shadow Monster is alive and thriving in the Upside down at the end of season 2, the eight to nine-episode arc of the third season will not only feature a new villain (or villains), but poor Will is going to get some much needed downtime. “We’re going to give Will a break. We’re not going to put Will through hell for a third season in a row. He’ll be dealing with stuff, but he won’t be at rock bottom the way we forced the amazing Noah Schnapp to play,” he promised. “We now know what is going to happen in season three to every character,” Levy said. If you, like me, were getting some Groundhog Day vibes at the start of season 2, this news comes as a promising change of pace for the show.
Season 3 will also further explore Steve and Dustin’s new friendship. “In season two, it was all very cute and there was a funny factor to it because it was unexpected, but now that it is expected, I want to see them connect more and be more familiar with each other,” Levy says. “I want them to have a connection like they’ve really had a connection for a year — like they’re brothers.” Don’t get too excited yet. Just like Game of Thrones, a new season of Stranger Things isn’t due until 2019.
