'Stranger Things' Season 3 Details Reveal Plans For A New Direction

What will those darn kids of Hawkins, Indiana face in Stranger Things season 3? According to producer Shawn Levy, the answer is "forces of evil that are new." Does this mean the show will be moving away from the Upside Down and charting new territory? I sure hope so, or else this idea is going to start getting old. Below, Levy reveals new Stranger Things season 3 details that hint at the show heading in a new direction.

I loved the first season of Stranger Things, but Stranger Things 2 left me a bit cold. The second season seemed to be trying to both take the show into a new direction while also returning to all-too-familiar elements. I get it – it's tricky to make a follow-up to something successful. But if Stranger Things is going to continue, and all signs indicate it will, it needs to start growing and trying new things. Thankfully, producer Shawn Levy seems to agree.

Speaking with Glamour, Levy revealed that despite the way Stranger Things 2 ended (with the Shadow Monster still very much alive, and looming in the Upside Down), Stranger Things 3 is going to be dealing with "forces of evil that are new." Levy also goes on to disclose that the plotting and planning for season 3 is already very far along, saying "It'll be an eight- or nine-episode season. The number of episodes will be dictated by the amount of story that excites us. We now know what is going to happen in season three to every character."

Levy also adds: '"We're going to give Will a break. We're not going to put Will through hell for a third season in a row. He'll be dealing with stuff, but he won't be at rock bottom the way we forced the amazing Noah Schnapp to play."

While the Upside Down and its traumatic effects on Will Byers are, of course, a huge part of the Stranger Things lore, I really do hope season 3 finds a way to move in a new direction. After all, how many times can these same characters keep dealing with the same evil portal? It's time to try something new – just not too new. In other words, please never show us those lame punk rock characters again.

All that said, Levy does go on to stress that Stranger Things 3 won't be a complete departure for the series. In fact, the producer adds that season 3 will feature more of everyone's favorite season 2 friendship: Steve and Dustin. "In season two, it was all very cute and there was a funny factor to it because it was unexpected, but now that it is expected, I want to see them connect more and be more familiar with each other," Levy says. "I want them to have a connection like they've really had a connection for a year — like they're brothers."

There's no date set for Stranger Things 3 yet, but rumor has it we might have to wait until 2019 before we return to Hawkins.