Actor Jamie Campbell Bower has dismissed the viral fan theory known as "Conformity Gate," which suggested a secret ninth episode of Stranger Things exists.
He addressed the speculation during an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026.
The theory emerged after the Netflix series finale aired on New Year's Day.
Fans argued that the main characters' seemingly perfect endings were an illusion created by Bower's villainous character, Vecna.
Viewers pointed to inconsistencies across the season as evidence of a hidden episode. Netflix updated its official Instagram bio to clarify that all episodes were streaming.
While promoting his upcoming project at the convention, Bower addressed the persistent rumors. "That there was gonna be another episode," he said.
"Everyone was like, 'Conformity Gate, there's gonna be a ninth episode.' I was like, 'If there is, I'm not in it!
I shot what I shot, I'm done.'"
Bower highlighted how social media trends fueled online assumptions. "Anything that we did was like, 'Well, that just proves it,'" he noted.
"They were like, 'That's it, it's coming.'"
The actor added that the public inquiry has continued months after the show's broadcast ended. "And I still get asked the question, even now.
People are like, 'Is there a ninth episode coming?' I'm like, 'It's been six months!
If there is, they're kinda behind,'" Bower said.
Bower revealed that production kept him uninformed about several key narrative elements while filming the final episodes. He researched the Upside Down lore on his own.
Reactions to the ending varied among the cast. Actor Matthew Modine previously expressed disappointment and hoped the rumors of a secret episode were accurate.
Cast member Millie Bobby Brown also hinted at confidential details shared among a select few on set. "They were like, 'Do not tell anyone.
Because we made it a secret kind of pledge,'" she said. "No one else knows.
It's just us three."
Despite its massive viewership, Stranger Things was excluded from Emmy nominations for Best Drama and acting categories.
Bower has since moved on to non-Netflix projects, including his band BloodMagic and upcoming roles in True Haunting and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
