Stranger Things, a signature show for Netflix since its premiere in 2016, has been renewed for a fifth and final season. The fourth season will be split up into two volumes. A spin-off is also in the works.

In addition to the climactic renewal, the company said the long-awaited Season 4 of the show will premiere in two “volumes,” the first on May 27 and the second on July 1. In an open letter to fans (read it in full below), co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer said the split season resulted from the season’s nine episodes having a total running time twice as long as that of any previous season.

Every ending has a beginning. Vol. 1 is coming May 27. Vol. 2 is coming July 1. pic.twitter.com/nw8IYqQzil

— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) February 17, 2022

The Duffer Bros noted that the full arc was expected to be “four or five” seasons when they first envisioned the show, so the end is not a surprise. Plus, it won’t be the end of the franchise, they promised.

uoos noʎ ǝǝs pic.twitter.com/pJ71dRgmo1

— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) February 17, 2022

A three-time Emmy nominee for Best Drama, the series is one of Netflix’s most-watched titles to date. Season 3 drew 582 million hours of viewing, ranking as the second most-popular English-language series in Netflix’s Top 10. Season 2 had 427 million hours, ranking No. 10.