Are you ready to spend Independence Day in Hawkins, Indiana? Stranger Things Season 3 premieres July 4 on Netflix. The eight-episode season is set in 1985, and this time we're focusing on the steamy summer months. The trailer introduced several new characters, and a new monster. Finn Wolfhard returns as Mike Wheeler, and he revealed why Season 3 will be the best one yet:
The first season was more about the adventure aspect and kind of fun, the second season was more about the horror aspect. Season 3 is everything, like the fun of season one and the horror of Season 2 and the Duffers have got better at it, at writing it. And we’ve become better actors.
That's a great sell! The Duffer Brothers created Stranger Things (unless you ask this guy) and it's good to see Finn Wolfhard told Empire he thinks the writing has improved for Season 2. There were some complaints about Season 2, especially "The Lost Sister."
Since Stranger Things Season 3 is set in the summer, we can take a break from school and explore what our gang does during the vacation months. The characters are growing up fast, with Season 2 ending with several romances in Mike and Eleven, Max and Lucas, Nancy and Jonathan, and the bromance of Dustin and Steve. There was also the tease of an attraction between Billy Hargrove and Mike's mom Nancy Wheeler.
Dacre Montgomery warned that Billy is "pure evil this season." We know he's a lifeguard and at least a metaphorical lady killer, based on the trailer showing all the women of Hawkins drooling over him. The trailer also showed Steve appearing to be in trouble, whether that's connected to Billy or not, and some fans have threatened to riot if anything happens to the beloved "single dad."
There's also a new mall in town, the Starcourt Mall, and we know some action is going to take place there. That's also where Steve Harrington got a job at Scoops Ahoy, alongside new character Robin, played by Maya Hawke. Other new characters include Cary Elwes as sleazy Mayor Kline and Jake Busey as The Hawkins Post journalist Bruce.
Stranger Things Season 2 ended with the Shadow Monster being very much still a factor, and hovering over the school while the kids were enjoying the winter dance.
Millie Bobby Brown told ET her character Eleven "evolves greatly" in Season 3 -- and we've already seen that she's now friends with Max, who seemed to inspire Eleven's jealousy in Season 2. Also, MBB added an intriguing tease on the horror front:
And I can say its spreading fast. And that's all I can tell you.
Spreading fast. Like a virus? Guess we'll have to wait and see. Here's what we know so far about Stranger Things Season 3 in the wait for all eight episodes to drop on Thursday, July 4. Check out what else is premiering on Netflix this year, and what else you can look forward to watching this summer.
