Let's clear this up first: this isn't a Stranger Things stage adaptation, and it's not another spin-off. What Noah Schnapp is taking on this time has nothing to do with Will Byers — or rather, it's two characters that have nothing to do with him.
He'll be leading a new production called Affluenza at Riverside Studios in London, marking his stage debut. The run goes from September 26 to November 21, with press night officially set for October 5. Written and directed by Andy Sandberg, the story is set among the wealthy elite of the Hamptons, centering on a teenager whose drunk driving leads to tragedy — unraveling questions of privilege, moral responsibility, family reputation, and the justice system, all dragged into the light. It's based on a true story, told with a dark comedic edge.
Schnapp will play two roles in the production, describing them as "two very different characters," though he hasn't revealed much more. He mentioned that discussions with Sandberg about working together had been going on for months, and choosing this project was a deliberate decision: "I wanted to be really thoughtful about what I did next. After spending months with the script, I felt a really strong connection to the character." Sandberg responded that the fact Schnapp chose an original script for his stage debut says something in itself.
That line is worth sitting with for a second. The Stranger Things IP has been expanding into theater and other formats for years now — the prequel play Stranger Things: The First Shadow premiered in London in 2023 before moving to Broadway; this year also brought the animated spin-off Tales From '85, along with an immersive concert tour that launched in June. In other words, if Schnapp wanted a "safe" stage project, there was already one ready-made within that universe. He didn't take that path.
Stranger Things Season 5 wrapped up the entire series with a two-hour New Year's special. Schnapp appeared in every season from the first to the last, spanning the show's entire run. NME's review of the first part gave it four stars, writing that even split across multiple releases, the show still managed to deliver big-budget sci-fi with real emotional weight. Now that the story on screen has ended, Schnapp is set to prove himself all over again on stage — this time with no Hawkins, and no Will Byers, to fall back on.
The rest of the Affluenza cast will be announced at a later date. Ticket information is available through official channels.
