The creators of Stranger Things have confirmed that one of the show’s lingering mysteries will be addressed in an upcoming spin-off series. During a recent interview with Variety, Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that the origin of the mysterious briefcase, briefly featured in the final season, will be explored in a separate project set outside the main storyline.
When asked to clarify the nature of the object inside the briefcase and how it relates to the larger mythology, Matt Duffer stopped short of giving direct answers. Responding cautiously, he said, “I’m gonna be sketchy here, Kate, because I will say that is — can I say this, Ross? Because it’s just hard to not say it.” When pressed further, he acknowledged the connection, stating, “Spinoffy, yeah. You pinned us down.”
Matt Duffer went on to explain that the purpose of the spin-off is to resolve unanswered questions without revisiting the central mythology of the original series. He clarified, “The spinoff is going to delve into that and explain that, and you’re going to understand it. But it’s a completely different mythology. So it’s not a deep exploration of the Mind Flayer or anything like that. It’s very fresh and very new, but yes, it will answer some of the loose threads that are remaining.” This confirms that while the briefcase mystery will be addressed, the story will move in a new creative direction.
The interview also offered insight into the current status of the project. Ross Duffer stated, “We’re going to start working on it again on Monday. We’ve been working on it on and off. We’ll take a few days off.” Matt Duffer expanded on this, explaining his enthusiasm for returning to development. “My favorite part of the show is working on it,” he said. “It’s not releasing it — that’s just stressful, no matter how it goes when you release it. It’s maybe my least favorite part of the process. I like the creative part. I like making it.”
The spin-off will feature an entirely new setting and cast. When asked whether any characters from the original series would appear, Matt Duffer confirmed, “Right. Exactly. No common characters.” He added that the project represents a clean slate, with “completely new characters, new town, new world, new mythology.”
These comments follow the conclusion of Stranger Things, which ended with its fifth and final season in late 2025. The series finale marked the end of the core Hawkins storyline, but the Duffers’ remarks make it clear that the franchise is not finished expanding. While details remain limited, the confirmation that the briefcase mystery will be resolved gives fans a clearer sense of what to expect from the next chapter.
