'Stranger Things' Spin-Off Adds Odessa A’zion in Neon-Drenched First Look [Exclusive]

A new face is arriving in Hawkins, and she may change the balance of the Stranger Things universe in unexpected ways. Netflix’s upcoming animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is expanding the world of the beloved franchise with new characters, new threats, and a fresh perspective on a town that never stays quiet for long. As part of our Exclusive Spring Preview Event, Collider is excited to reveal that Odessa A’zion has joined the cast as Nikki Baxter, a pivotal new character introduced in the animated continuation of the story, which premieres April 23, 2026. We can also share a new set of exclusive neon-drenched character posters that will have you counting down the days until our return to the Upside Down.

Set during the winter of 1985, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 finds Hawkins entering a rare moment of calm. After years of government conspiracies, supernatural invasions, and battles with the Upside Down, life appears to have returned to normal for Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max. Snow blankets the town as the group settles back into everyday routines filled with Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, snowball fights, and quiet afternoons. That peace, however, proves temporary. Beneath the frozen surface of Hawkins, something new has awakened, raising questions about whether the danger comes from the Upside Down, Hawkins Lab, or somewhere else entirely. As a new mystery unfolds, the arrival of Nikki Baxter introduces a perspective that reshapes how this familiar world is seen.

Nikki Baxter Brings a New Perspective to Hawkins

According to showrunner Eric Robles, Nikki Baxter is designed to stand apart immediately from the established Hawkins crew while still fitting naturally into their world. “Nikki is a 14-year-old transfer student from the East Coast — by way of all over. She’s kind and loyal, unafraid to use her intimidating size and punk-rock look to warn off any bullies that might try to cross her.” Introducing a new character into a franchise as established as Stranger Things is no small task, particularly one meant to resonate with longtime fans while also welcoming new audiences. Robles explained that Nikki’s arrival serves both purposes, offering an entry point into the story while simultaneously disrupting the status quo that the characters have fought hard to reclaim. He told Collider:

“We wanted Nikki Baxter to help guide a new generation of viewers into the incredible world of Stranger Things. Nikki arrives in Hawkins at a pivotal moment — the government conspiracies, secrets, mysteries, and monsters that have stalked the tiny Indiana town for two seasons have seemingly been put to bed for the moment. This means that Nikki provides a fresh new perspective on the status quo, shaking up dynamics and points-of-view. And perhaps even more importantly, she brings us — and the rest of the Stranger Things crew — an exciting, fresh roster of danger and monsters unlike anything our kids have ever faced before.”

That promise of new dangers suggests Tales From ’85 won’t simply revisit familiar threats. Instead, the animated series appears poised to expand the mythology of Hawkins beyond what audiences have already seen, using Nikki’s outsider status to question assumptions about safety, normalcy, and whether the town’s nightmares were ever truly over. Produced by Flying Bark Productions, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 comes from showrunner and executive producer Robles, alongside executive producers Matt and Ross Duffer, Hilary Leavitt via Upside Down Pictures, Shawn Levy via 21 Laps, and Dan Cohen. The voice cast also includes Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Benjamin Plessala as Will, Brett Gipson as Hopper, Jeremy Jordan as Steve, as well as Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 premieres April 23, 2026, on Netflix. Stay tuned for more updates on your favorite TV shows and movies during Collider’s Exclusive Preview event.