'Stranger Things' season 5 faces dramatic cast shake-up

Netflix has finally unveiled the first batch of episodes for Stranger Things season 5.

The new sequel to the sci-fi horror series is its last, as creators Ross and Matt Duffer previously confirmed to fans in February 2022.

"Seven years ago, we planned out the complete story arc for Stranger Things. At the time, we predicted the story would last four to five seasons," they said at that time.

"It proved too large to tell in four, but – as you'll soon see for yourselves – we are now hurling toward our finale," they added.

The final installment of the show faces a significant setback as two key cast members leave the series.

Joseph Quinn and Eduardo Franco are not returning with their roles in the new season.

On the other hand, Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Jamie Campbell Bower, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Charlie Heaton, Maya Hawke, and Priah Ferguson are the stars who reprise their roles in the thriller series.

For those unversed, the second batch of episodes of the fifth season of Stranger Things will be released on the streaming platform on December 25.

Fans can watch the final episode of the show on December 31.