Matt, Ross Duffer reflect on 'Stranger Things’ unlikely success story

Matt Duffer, the mastermind behind global hit Stranger Things, has issued a blunt warning to TV and film bosses, that is to stop playing it safe and start backing bold ideas.

Speaking at the Gotham TV Awards, the Netflix showrunner urged the industry to ditch fear and take chances on fresh talent and original stories.

“I say this to anyone in the room with any level of power: let’s choose risk over fear,” Duffer said. 

“Help new voices, make bold personal stories, then get out of the way.”

He insisted it isn’t just good for creativity, it’s good business too. 

“It’s less work for you, it’ll make you money, and most importantly… it’ll result in cooler stuff,” he added.

Duffer reflected on how unusual his own break was. 

Before Stranger Things, he and his brother Ross had never run a TV show, yet Netflix handed them rare creative freedom, something he now admits feels almost impossible in today’s data-driven industry.

“That level of trust gave us confidence,” he said, warning that the age of algorithms has made such opportunities “rarer than ever”.

Ross Duffer also revealed just how risky the sci-fi smash once seemed behind the scenes. 

The original concept, a strange 50-page script about kids, but not aimed at them, was rejected by studios who simply didn’t get it.

“No one wanted to touch it,” he said, until Netflix eventually took a gamble after executives saw potential others missed.

Looking back, the brothers say the success proves audiences still crave original, unfiltered storytelling and warn the industry not to lose that spark by playing it safe.

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