Prepare for an extended binge session when “Stranger Things” season five drops, as Maya Hawke revealed some exciting details about the upcoming season during an interview with Penn Badgley on his “Podcrushed” podcast. The 25-year-old actress shared that the episodes will be significantly longer, adding to the anticipation for the Netflix series’ return.
It’s been over two years since the fourth season of “Stranger Things” premiered. Apart from the production delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Maya explained that the extended episode lengths have also contributed to the wait. “We’re making, basically, eight movies,” she told E! News, indicating that each episode will be movie-length.
This news might not come as a surprise to fans, considering the previous season featured episodes that were already pushing the boundaries of standard TV show lengths. Season four’s episodes were typically around an hour and 15 minutes, with the final three episodes ranging from an hour and 27 minutes to over two hours long. Fans are, therefore, accustomed to the extended runtimes.
Maya also praised the dedication and meticulousness of the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers. She highlighted their hands-on approach and the significant amount of time they invest in crafting each season. “Matt and Ross [Duffer] take a lot of responsibility. They have an amazing team of writers, but they’re very involved. They write a lot and are very intense and serious about the quality of the continued writing,” she explained.
While the exact release date for season five of “Stranger Things” has not been announced, it is expected to arrive in early 2025. This final season will bring a conclusion to the beloved series that first debuted in 2016.
