When Stranger Things first introduced Steve Harrington, few could have predicted how quickly the character would become a fan favorite. From high school heartthrob to unexpected protector of Hawkins’ kids, Steve’s arc became one of the show’s emotional anchors. So when Netflix announced an animated spin-off set in the familiar town, viewers naturally expected the same voices to return.

However, the release of the official trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 raised immediate questions, especially around Steve Harrington. With the animated series revisiting a beloved era of the franchise, fans were quick to notice that something sounded different. 

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Netflix has not issued an official statement explaining why Joe Keery is not voicing Steve Harrington in Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. As of now, the streamer and the show’s creators have remained silent on the specifics behind the casting change.

The thing that is evident, though, is that Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is making a new step when it comes to its voice cast. In contrast to other animated adaptations, which revive their live-action counterparts, in this series, most key characters are introduced by new voices of actors. Instead of singling out Steve, the production seems to be recreating the ensemble to be animated as an ensemble.

Steve Harrington has been re-created by Broadway star Jeremy Jordan, who has two nominations for the Tony Award due to his performance on the stage and in animated musical work. His performance fits the nostalgic, stylized nature of the show, tipping towards classic Saturday-morning cartoon vitality instead of adhering to continuity in live-action.

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So what exactly is Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 about?

According to Netflix, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 takes the viewers back to Hawkins in the winter of 1985, between Season 2 and 3 of the original show. The town looks peaceful again, and Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Max and their friends have fallen back into the usual routine of D&D games, snowball fights, and childhood normalcy.

However, peace in Hawkins does not last long, as Stranger Things fans understand too well. Something is getting ready to be dangerous under the snow, and it is something unexpected, indicating new dangers, which might be related to the Upside Down, Hawkins Lab, or something completely new. The animated style will enable the franchise to venture into unproven mysteries and the spooky atmosphere that characterized the previous seasons.

The show has a retro aesthetic based on the traditional Sunday morning cartoons, but leans into the nostalgia with a broader but no less disturbing expansion of the universe. On February 2, 2026, the first look at this animated spin-off was released with the help of a teaser trailer of the story.

Matt and Ross Duffer and Eric Robles come back as executive producers, and the showrunner is Ross Duffer. The cast also features Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Luca Diaz, Elisha EJ Williams, Braxton Quinney, Ben Plessala, Brett Gipson, and Jeremy Jordan among others.

The characters and relationships are the same, but the animated spin provides a more relaxed, contemplative contrast to the imminent end of the franchise, almost like a final look back before the final farewell.

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Are you excited to watch Stranger Things: Tales From ’85? Let us know in the comments!