Before the inter-dimensional dust from Stranger Things 3 had a chance to settle, Netflix announces a brand-new season. And we suspect it'll be bigger, bolder, and scarier than ever.

What's the Stranger Things 4 release date?

Netflix haven't announced a date, but apparently filming could start this October – maybe airing some time in 2020. Hopefully, this season's turn-around will be quicker than the last; or else we might wait on the edge of our seats until 2021. But the new announcement trailer has just hit the Internet, and we know one thing for sure: 'We're not in Hawkins any more'.

Is this the last season of Stranger Things?

Directors Ross and Matt Duffer have said it'll be 'a four-season thing and then out', with whispers of a potential fifth instalment. With all the demagorgons and Mind Flayers and Soviet soldiers, the 80s kids from Hawkins have endured plenty of dark terrors over the past three seasons. Ross himself has said the kids are 'going to have to get the f*** out of this town! It's ridiculous!'

Ridiculous or not, Stranger Things 3 left us with some gaping questions that need to be answered.

Who's in the Stranger Things 4 cast?

There have been no official cast announcements, but we expect our favourite monster-battling heroes to return. Stranger Things wouldn't be the same without Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Will (Noah Schnapp) and Joyce (Winona Ryder). And Dr Sam Owens (Paul Reiser) will probably crop up again, given his appearance at the end of season three.

But will Jim Hopper (David Harbour) return after Joyce appeared to detonate him? Is he the elusive 'American' mentioned in the show's final moments?

And will Brenner (Matthew Modine), Eleven's 'Papa', come back? The former head of Hawkins Lab pushed Eleven too far and caused her to open the Gate in season one, but we didn't actually see him die…

Will Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) regain her telekinetic powers in season four?

The Internet will never stop talking about every possibility, not until season four is finally released. And probably after that too. Stranger Things is reportedly most watched show on Netflix and has won over the world, even inspiring Secret Cinema to create a Stranger Things experience. In any case, we're monstrously excited for the future.

by Katie Meynell