Stranger Things theory predicts Eleven might cause the Chernobyl disaster in season 4

This would be one step too far

There's a theory doing the rounds about Stranger Things that we're really hoping doesn't come true.

Following the conclusion of season three, one Reddit user has predicted what could happen in the show's fourth run – and they believe it could see the series depict a real-world catastrophe.

The theory predicts that the next season will take place around April 1986 when the Chernobyl disaster occurred. The third season ended in October 1985, so this would place the action a whole six months later.

They go onto suggest that Chernobyl could end up being caused or indeed fabricated in an attempt to cover-up a battle involving Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, who has finally addressed those Marvel rumours), the Russians introduced in season three and a whole host of other creatures, including the one seen in that mid-credits sequences.

Getting the characters to the Soviet Union wouldn't be too difficult knowing that the Russians were using several reactors to open gateways.

This thought lends credence to the theory that "the American" mentioned in the mid-credits sequence is indeed Chief Jim Hopper who is presumed dead at the end season three.

While showrunning duo the Duffer brothers have teased that season four will see the characters venture outside of Hawkins, Indiana, depicting of the Chernobyl disaster – recently the subject of an acclaimed HBO miniseries – might be one step too far.

Meanwhile, actor Finn Wolfhard – who plays Mike Wheeler – has revealed that a much-discussed scene hinting at the sexuality of Will byers (Noah Schnapp) was originally played very differently.

Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix now.