Netflix has released an official documentary that goes behind-the-scenes of the making of hit West End show Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Titled Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the doc premieres today, 15 April 2025, on Netflix worldwide.
The film takes a look backstage during the making of the critically acclaimed, award-winning West End play, in the lead up to its world premiere at London’s Phoenix Theatre in December 2023.
The doc follows the cast and crew as they race against time to prepare the ambitious, boundary-pushing stage show for its West End, debut amid mounting fan and critic anticipation.
Watch the trailer for Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow
The Stranger Things play is currently in rehearsals for its Broadway premiere, which starts previews at the Marquis Theatre in New York on 2 April 2025.
The documentary is directed by Jon Halperin, produced by Angus Wall, Kent Kubena and Terry Leonard, and Executive Produced by Matt Bell.
A new West End cast of Stranger Things started in November, and includes Louis Healy (Emmerdale, The Pact, The Full Monty) as Henry Creel, Callum Maxwell (Peter Pan) as Bob Newby, Miranda Mufema (Romeo & Juliet) as Patty Newby, Luke Mullins (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) as Dr Brenner, Jessica Rhodes (Doubt: A Parable) as Joyce Maldonado and George Smale (AS-NT) as James Hopper Jr.
They are joined by Shane Attwooll (Wonder Woman 1984) as Chief Hopper, Jack Crumlin (To Kill a Mockingbird) as Lonnie Byers, Rhianna Dorris (Coram Boy) as Sue Anderson, Ammar Duffus (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) as Charles Sinclair, Jack Gardner (The Baker’s Wife) as Walter Henderson, Andy Langtree (A Christmas Carol) as Victor Creel, Betsy Mayle as Claudia Yount, Michael Murray as Alan Munson, Lauren O’Neil (The Twilight Zone) as Virginia Creel, Matthew Pidgeon (Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies) as Principal Newby, Barney Wilkinson (Bonnie and Clyde) as Ted Wheeler, Edie Wright as Karen Childress
Alternating the role of Alice Creel are Scarlett Davies, Olivia Miller, India Moon and Pixie Robbins. They are joined by Chloe Akuma, Harry Ames, Sophie Atherton, Levi Bent, Mat Betteridge, Amara Campbell, Lois Churcher, Flora Dawson, Benjamin Lafayette, Jake Mavis, Karen Mavundukure, Chris Porter, Marianna Scott and Jonny Warr.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is written by Kate Trefry, directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, original music composition, orchestration, arrangements and supervision by D.J. Walde, illusions design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher, video design & visual effects by 59, choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction by Lynne Page, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, props supervision by Mary Halliday, dialect by William Conacher, casting by Jessica Ronane CDG and international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is currently playing at the Phoenix Theatre in London, booking to 7 September 2025.
Book tickets to Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre London
UPDATES: First published 28 March 2025; Updated 15 April 2025
Phoenix Theatre, London
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