Despite shifting to the summer from its usual autumn setting, Stranger Things Season 3 is not going to be all fun in the sun.
Executive producer Shawn Levy revealed that while the upcoming third season of the popular Netflix series will certainly embrace its summer of 1985 setting, it will be both the darkest and most ambitious season of the series to date.
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“Season 3 has a really healthy dose of poppy, bright levity and cultural fun,” explained Levy in an interview with The Playlist. “But I can only promise you that Season 3 eventually goes places that are darker and unquestionably more action-packed than we’ve ever gone before.”
The eagerly anticipated new season will debut next summer to coincide with its seasonal setting. While the premiere is just under a year away, Netflix has released a promo showcasing new Hawkins, Indiana location Starcourt Mall featuring fan-favorite Joe Keery reprising his role as Steve Harrington and new cast member Maya Thurman-Hawke as Robin.
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“There’s no question that, as you saw in that infomercial, Starcourt Mall is a part of Season 3. As is summertime,” confirmed Levy.
Stranger Things stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Natalie Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Priah Ferguson, Cary Elwes, Jake Busey, and Maya Thurman-Hawke. The third season is slated to premiere in summer 2019.