WHAT’S NEXT FOR STRANGER THINGS?

We look to the future for Netflix’s ’80s-inspired sci-fi/horror/ fantasy smash

IS IT RENEWED?

Yes. In late August, Netflix finally confirmed a second season. Released at some point in 2017, it will feature nine episodes — that’s one more than the first season! Creators Matt and Ross Duffer, aka the Duffer Brothers, are hard at work. “We’ve been talking about Harry Potter, even though it’s weird to compare it,” Matt tells Empire. “I like that you’re revisiting these characters and watching them grow up on a year-to-year basis.”

Real time will have passed for the now-rescued Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) and his friends (Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb Mclaughlin), so it will be set in 1984 and reflect the films of that year — especially Temple Of

Doom, apparently. Ross Duffer describes next season as “its own complete little movie”. Which is odd, as it’ll be close to nine hours long.

WHERE IS ELEVEN?

Where did the uncanny young Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) go after disappearing in the final episode? Sheriff Hopper (David Harbour) was last seen leaving her favourite food, Eggo waffles, in the woods: does he know where she is, or is he just hopeful? “We like the idea of potentially putting her and Hopper together,” Matt has told

Variety — a dramatic prospect after Hopper betrayed her last season.

AND WHAT ABOUT BARB?

Twitter launched a #Justiceforbarb campaign for the mom-jeans-wearing Barb (Shannon Purser), victim of the Upside Down monster. While Will’s disappearance prompted a manhunt, Barb’s was almost ignored — but the Duffers promise she will get her due next season, and point out that the first season unfolded over less than a week. A year later, the consequences of Barb’s disappearance will have bubbled through.

HOW WILL IT EXPAND THE MYTHOLOGY?

The Duffers have a 30-page document on the show’s mythology, and have only scratched the surface. They hint we might see more of Matthew Modine’s villainous government researcher Dr Brenner: he was carried away by a monster, but was he really killed? And we may learn more about the purpose of Hawkins National Laboratory.

A delicious rumour popped up that Stephen King would write the next season — which would be a bit like Paul Mccartney joining a Beatles tribute band. Alas, the report was a joke from satirical website Thestudioexec.com.