Stranger Things creators issue devastating Season 5 update

Fans of Netflix's sci-fi behemoth Stranger Things have been dealt a devastating blow by the show's creators just weeks before a new season airs.

A fifth and final season of the show will be released in three parts. The first will be available to stream on November 26, the second on December 25 with the grand finale dropping December 31.

One of the series' standout characters to date has been Hellfire Club leader Eddie Munson who first appeared in Season 4. The Dungeons & Dragons devotee played a pivotal role in the gang's attack on the Upside Down, and viewers watched as he sacrificed himself for the good of the group.

Despite his supposed death on the show, the actor who portrays him, Joseph Quinn, has teased in interviews that his character may not have met his end after all.

It has led to hopes that he will make a surprise appearance in the concluding season. However, that same sliver of hope has quickly been dashed.

Stranger Things' creators Matt and Ross Duffer have weighed in on what actually became of Eddie, and it's bad news for fans of the character.

"I love that Joe Quinn is toying with people! But no, he's dead," Matt confirmed in an interview with Empire. "Joe is so busy anyway, that everyone should know he's not coming back."

He continued: "He's shot like five movies since! When the hell has he got time to come and shoot Stranger Things? No, sadly, RIP. He's fully under that ground."

Since his debut as Eddie, actor Joseph has had a phenomenal rise, going on to star in a plethora of blockbusters from A Quiet Place: Day One to Gladiator II and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

It was recently revealed that the star had been cast as George Harrison in Sam Mendes' upcoming Beatles biopic, alongside Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.

He told the PA news agency that he was "inspired" by his Beatles co-stars, adding: "It's beyond my wildest dreams. I can't believe I'm able to participate in a film and a project like this."

Stranger Things Season 5 Part 1 is available to stream on Netflix from November 26