For fans interested in the production process behind Stranger Things, the three-episode podcast Behind the Scenes: Stranger Things 3, released in July 2019, offered an in-depth look at the making of the series. Hosted by Dan Taberski, the podcast provides insight into how the Duffer Brothers and their team transformed the streets of Hawkins into a believable setting for supernatural events.
The episodes examine the practical and creative challenges of producing a period series set in the 1980s. Taberski explores topics such as set design, costume creation, and the integration of visual effects, detailing how the team achieved the look and feel of the decade while accommodating the fantastical elements of the story. The podcast also addresses how specific sequences were staged, including the choreography of Eleven’s powers and the movement of the Demogorgon, showing how the technical and creative teams worked together to bring these moments to life. Taberski emphasized that the goal was to capture the essence of what makes Stranger Things distinctive, highlighting the careful planning, artistry, and problem-solving required for production.
Listeners also receive behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the cast and crew. These include improvisations, on-set accidents, and moments of collaboration that reveal the human side of producing a complex series. The podcast demonstrates how the cast and crew navigated the demands of filming while maintaining a cooperative and creative environment, offering a more complete picture of how Hawkins comes to life on screen.
In 2021, the six-episode scripted podcast Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins provided a different approach to expanding the Stranger Things universe. Focused on Robin Buckley, played by Maya Hawke, the series explores character-driven stories beyond the main group of children, revealing new aspects of Hawkins and its residents.
Written and directed by Lauren Shippen, Rebel Robin complements the Rebel Robin novel, delving into Robin’s relationships and backstory, including her interactions with her teacher, Mr. Hauser, played by Sean Maher. The audio format allows the series to convey subtleties of character, emotion, and setting in ways that visuals alone cannot. The podcast uses sound design, voice performance, and pacing to immerse listeners, creating the effect of following Robin through Hawkins’ streets, buildings, and secret spaces. It emphasizes character development, problem-solving, and interpersonal dynamics while maintaining the humor, tension, and emotional resonance familiar from the television series.
Podcasts like Behind the Scenes: Stranger Things 3 and Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins offer fans a deeper understanding of Season 3. They provide insight into production decisions, highlight aspects of storytelling that do not appear on screen, and explore character perspectives that are limited in the television format. These companion experiences expand the narrative world, allowing fans to understand motivations, relationships, and thematic elements in greater detail.
For viewers revisiting Season 3, these podcasts enrich the experience by providing context for key moments and explaining the creative choices behind effects, sets, and performances. They allow fans to examine the collaboration between writers, actors, designers, and directors, offering a more complete understanding of the series’ development.
The Duffer Brothers’ support of these audio projects demonstrates their interest in transmedia storytelling. By extending the world of Hawkins into podcasts, they ensure that the series’ themes of friendship, fear, and adventure continue beyond the television screen. These companion podcasts offer both longtime fans and newcomers an opportunity to engage with the universe of Stranger Things in a more detailed and immersive way, providing a fuller understanding of Season 3 and the creative work that shaped it.
Through these podcasts, listeners can explore the production and storytelling of Stranger Things from multiple angles. They reveal the technical and creative processes behind the show, expand character narratives, and deepen appreciation for the world of Hawkins. For anyone invested in the third season, these companion experiences offer additional insight and context, making the events, character choices, and dramatic moments of Season 3 more meaningful.
