Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of Stranger Things, urged television executives to embrace original stories and take risks on new voices during the Gotham TV Awards on June 2, 2026.
The showrunners emphasized that investing in unconventional narratives ultimately benefits the industry financially while producing superior creative work.
>>> Warner Bros and DC Studios Ramp Up Supergirl Film Promotions
Choose Risk Over Fear
“I say this to anyone in the room with any level of power: Let’s choose risk over fear,” said Matt Duffer.
He called on industry leaders to empower fresh talent and allow them full creative control over their unique projects.
“Let’s do everything we can to help new voices, make bold personal stories, and then let’s stay out of their way,” he added.
Matt noted that this hands-off approach simplifies production for executives while promising high financial returns.
“First of all, I would say it’s less work for you. And second, it’s gonna make you a lot of money,” he said.
He concluded by focusing on the ultimate artistic quality: “But most importantly, it’ll result in cooler s***.”
Netflix’s Trust Was Key
Before Netflix backed the science-fiction series, the brothers lacked television directing and showrunning experience, yet they received significant autonomy during the first season.
“That level of trust gave us the confidence and the courage to step up,” said Matt Duffer.
He expressed concern over the modern entertainment landscape, which heavily prioritizes algorithmic data over creative intuition.
“The experience we had is so very rare in this industry.
And in this age of endless data, and algorithms, it feels rarer than ever, which really worries us,” he said.
However, he remained optimistic due to current viewing trends across both cinema and television.
“But we’re also encouraged by what audiences are responding to right now across TV and film,” he said.
>>> Tornado Warnings Issued as Severe Storms Hit Pembina Valley
He asserted that younger demographics are actively seeking uncompromised creative visions from artists.
“I feel young people are telling us very loudly that they’re hungry for original stories – unfiltered personal visions that haven’t been mangled by a thousand paper cuts,” said Matt Duffer.
Co-creator Ross Duffer pointed out that the show, which concluded its fifth and final season on New Year's Day, carried massive risks for the streaming platform initially.
“I can’t really emphasize what a crazy risk Stranger Things was, how little sense it made on paper,” said Ross Duffer.
He revealed that their previous movie was poorly received by Warner Brothers and their initial script featured an unconventional premise.
“You know, all we had was one movie, which Warner Brothers disliked so much they wouldn’t release it, and a weird 50-page script starring kids – but not for kids,” he said.
Netflix executive Matt Thunell identified the potential of the script, leading it to the desk of the content chief at the time, Ted Sarandos.
“What’s amazing is that all these people weren’t just betting on idea or script. They were betting on us,” said Ross Duffer.
The executives permitted the duo to manage casting decisions, direct episodes, and run the show without interference.
“They let us showrun, even though we never showrun before. They let us direct, even though we never directed TV before,” said Ross Duffer.
The studio also trusted their decision to cast David Harbour, who attended the awards ceremony.
“They let us cast whoever we believed in, including David Harbour, who’s here tonight, as well.
>>> CBS News Fires Veteran Journalist Scott Pelley Over Network Cuts
They never once hovered over our shoulders or asked us to sand off the weird edges,” said Ross Duffer.
