Is Netflix rewriting Stranger Things Season 5? Update after Conformity Gate

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Filming for Season 5 of Stranger Things finished in early 2026, and fans quickly started discussing the “Conformity Gate” theory. Now, with January almost over, people are wondering if Netflix is changing the story of the final season.

Earlier this month, a fan theory called #ConformityGate gained traction after many viewers expressed disappointment with the ending of Stranger Things. The theory suggested a hidden ninth episode of Season 5 actually contained the show’s true conclusion.

When the predicted arrival date passed without anything happening, it became obvious the idea was just a popular online fad with no real substance. Now, weeks later, people are starting to discuss the future of the Netflix series.

Season 6 of Stranger Things isn’t happening, but the story isn’t over. Several spinoff shows are being developed, and one of them might even affect what we already know about the original series.

Is Netflix rewriting Stranger Things Season 5? 

No, Netflix is not changing the ending of Stranger Things. The question arose because of a new animated prequel series, Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85.

We’ve been aware for some time that a spin-off series was being created, taking place between seasons two and three of the original show. However, recent, more detailed discussions have sparked rumors that Netflix is revising the planned ending.

So, the fifth season of the show itself isn’t getting any changes, which is good! But this new series, ‘Tales From ‘85’, is gonna add some stuff that could affect what happens in the main story later on. Apparently, we’re getting a new character named Nikki Baxter, and I’m already wondering how she’ll fit in!

Nikki will be joining the main group of characters – Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, and Will. Although the original actors won’t be doing the voices, the events of Tales From ‘85 are officially part of the show’s story. This new character has understandably caused some confusion among fans.

One Reddit user pointed out it’s amusing that even this new series, designed to bridge the gap between seasons 2 and 3 and stay true to the original story, still introduces another main character instead of simply concentrating on the existing cast.

the new tales from ‘85 cartoon is gonna feature a new character called “nikki”
byu/mandyluvspuppies inStrangerThings

I don’t understand how they’re planning to have these characters become friends with someone new, only to completely ignore her later on.

The post has gotten a lot of responses, and many people feel the new show isn’t changing Season 5 – it’s actually Season 5 that’s influencing the new show.

One person stated plainly, “Nikki is dead,” while another joked that it followed the common storytelling pattern of introducing a character only to kill them off quickly.

Someone else pointed out that the character absolutely has to die for the story to make sense, otherwise there will be major plot inconsistencies.

Despite the criticism, some fans came to the show’s defense. One person jokingly pointed out, “It’s not like anyone ever left in the 80s – none of the main characters ever moved away, right?”

Honestly, we don’t really know much about this new character, Nikki, yet. All we’ve heard so far is that she’s a bit of a tinkerer and has pink hair. It’s not a ton to go on, but it’s something!

Someone else suggested they don’t necessarily need to kill off the character, just have them leave Hawkins. They also pointed out that Nikki’s age isn’t confirmed – she could be older than the others and possibly even involved with the Russians, potentially explaining the start of the Russian storyline in Season 3.

It remains to be seen how Tales From ’85 will connect to the overall story when it’s released in 2026, but rest assured, Netflix is not rewriting Season 5 of Stranger Things.

While you wait, you can listen to all the songs from Season 5, find out who didn’t make it in the Stranger Things finale, and see what TV shows we’re excited about coming in 2026.

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2026-01-28 17:50