The world of Hawkins is getting a brand-new face, and she comes with pink hair and a whole lot of attitude. Netflix has officially announced that Odessa A’zion is joining the cast of the upcoming animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. She will voice the character Nikki Baxter, a transfer student who quickly becomes an essential part of the beloved Dungeons & Dragons crew. Along with this casting news, the streamer has also released a set of new character posters featuring the core kids from the original series.
The animated spin-off is set to premiere on April 23, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. It will take viewers back to the winter of 1985, a period between the events of the second and third seasons of the live-action show. This was a time when the immediate terror of the Upside Down had faded, and the kids were trying to enjoy a normal life filled with Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and snowball fights. However, something new is awakening beneath the ice in Hawkins, forcing Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max to band together once again to solve a mystery that threatens their town.
Who Is Nikki Baxter? The New Member of the Group
The introduction of Nikki Baxter is a major move for the franchise, as she is a completely new character created specifically for this animated series. Described as a 14-year-old transfer student from the East Coast, Nikki stands out immediately with her punk rock style and bright pink hair. But her look is not just for show. According to the show’s creators, she brings a new dynamic to the group.
Odessa A’zion shared insight into her character with Netflix’s Tudum, explaining that Nikki fills a role the group did not know they were missing. “They had everything, and she was the missing puzzle piece,” A’zion said. “You need a little muscle in that crew.” She explained that Nikki acts as the protector for the group. Her character has a strong desire to defend those who cannot defend themselves, a trait that instantly makes her a valuable ally.
Showrunner Eric Robles also spoke about the new addition, positioning Nikki as the audience’s way into this familiar yet strange world. “Nikki is the audience’s eyes,” Robles said. “She comes into this world completely new. She’s got her own issues that she’s been dealing with, and it’s these kids who step into her world in a sense.” This means that as Nikki encounters the strange events of Hawkins for the first time, so will the viewers, allowing for a fresh view of the Upside Down’s horrors. Robles added that once the chaos begins, Nikki has no choice but to team up with the kids, as she could not simply walk away.
A New Voice Cast for Familiar Characters
While the core characters like Eleven, Mike, and Dustin are all returning, none of the original actors from the live-action series are voicing their roles for the animated version. Instead, a new group of voice actors is stepping in to bring the animated kids to life. The voice cast includes Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Luca Diaz as Mike, Benjamin Plessala as Will, Elisha Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max. The cast also features Brett Gipson as Hopper and Jeremy Jordan as Steve Harrington, along with Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips in other roles.
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What to Expect from the Animated Series
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is being developed by showrunner Eric Robles, with the Duffer Brothers serving as executive producers. The animation is being handled by the Australian studio Flying Bark Productions. The creative team has described the series as aiming to capture the feel of a 1980s Saturday-morning cartoon, mixing the nostalgic style of classics like The Real Ghostbusters with the unique horror and mystery of the Stranger Things universe. The visual style is colorful, with character designs featuring larger heads and expressive faces.
For fans wondering where this fits in the larger story, the series is set during the winter of 1985. This places it after Eleven closed the gate to the Upside Down at the end of season two but before the summer events of season three, which introduced the Starcourt Mall. This timing allows for a story that feels connected to the main series while exploring a period that has only been hinted at before. The introduction of Nikki Baxter expands the universe and sets the stage for a new kind of adventure, showing that even in a small town, there are always more stories to tell.
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