Stranger Things Wouldn’t Exist Without This Forgotten Fox Series
By BJ COLANGELO
In 2015, Fox debuted a science-fiction mystery series called "Wayward Pines." In it, Secret Service agent Ethan Burke is sent to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents.
The series was based on the "Wayward Pines" novels by Blake Crouch and was produced by M. Night Shyamalan. It was canceled after just two seasons, leaving fans wanting more.
"Wayward Pines" was the first big break for budding genre writers Ross and Matt Duffer, a.k.a. The Duffer Brothers, who went on to create "Stranger Things."
Working on the show was beneficial because, as self-proclaimed "movie guys," learning the ropes of serialized storytelling contributed to the success of "Stranger Things."
"Wayward Pines" also helped The Duffer Brothers prove they had the goods to pull off a high-concept show like "Stranger Things" — not just writers but also directors.