Stranger Things & The Boroughs’ Shared Universe Theories Addressed By Netflix Sci-Fi Series Creator

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How connected is The Boroughs to the Duffer Brothers’ other supernatural Netflix show?

Jeffrey Addiss, who co-created the new show The Boroughs, has addressed fan speculation about a connection to Stranger Things. The Boroughs, created with Will Matthews, centers on a retirement community where residents must unite to fight a dangerous, supernatural threat. The show features a talented cast including Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, and Bill Pullman. Because of the similar supernatural elements, some viewers have wondered if The Boroughs and Stranger Things exist within the same fictional universe.

Addiss, the creator of The Boroughs, recently spoke with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan to address fan theories connecting his show to Stranger Things. He clarified that despite shared creators (the Duffer Brothers) and supernatural themes, the two shows are distinct stories. He explained the difference using a playground analogy, emphasizing that The Boroughs is developing its own unique world, separate from Stranger Things.

Check out what Addiss had to say below:

We exist in a completely different universe. Despite some fan theories suggesting a connection, our show isn’t related to ‘Stranger Things.’ The creators of ‘Stranger Things’ have their own amazing world, and we’re focused on building our own, separate from theirs.

While there are some resemblances between Stranger Things and The Boroughs, they don’t take place in the same universe. The threat faced in The Boroughs is quite different from the Upside Down in Stranger Things, and Stranger Things generally focuses on events happening in one place, unlike The Boroughs which has a broader scope. Both shows follow a group of people investigating a dangerous, supernatural puzzle, but that’s where the similarities end.

This independence is what makes The Boroughs so compelling, even with the Duffer Brothers producing it. The show tells its own complete story without needing connections to other series. This allows the eight-episode arc to unfold naturally, and according to Addiss, the show is intentionally creating its own unique world for the characters to inhabit and explore.

The world of Stranger Things is growing with new shows like the animated series Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, which fills in the story between seasons 2 and 3. A live-action spin-off series is also being developed and will connect to the original show. This makes it clear that The Boroughs isn’t set in the same universe; both shows are developing their own unique stories in different directions.

I’m really excited about how The Boroughs is handling its supernatural side! Because it’s not tied to the same rules as Stranger Things, the show can really forge its own path and build a unique world. I know people will naturally compare it to the Duffer Brothers’ other work, but it quickly establishes itself as something completely different and stands on its own two feet. It’s a really refreshing experience, and I think that’s a huge strength.

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2026-05-21 15:38