Matt and Ross Duffer
Matt Duffer on the left, with Ross Duffer on the right, both seated behind a table with name cards in front of them and looking to the viewer's left, with a San Diego Comic-Con BBanner in the background
Matt (left) and Ross (right) Duffer at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1984-02-15) February 15, 1984
Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationCharles E. Jordan High School
Alma materChapman University
Occupations
  • Film and television writers
  • directors
  • producers
Years active2005–present
Known for
Spouse
​
(m. 2015)​
(Ross)
Children1 (Matt)

Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer (born February 15, 1984), often credited as the Duffer Brothers, are American film and television writers, directors, and producers. They are best known as the creators, directors and executive producers of the hit Netflix science fiction horror drama series Stranger Things. They also wrote and directed the 2015 psychological horror film Hidden, and wrote and produced episodes for the Fox mystery-science fiction series Wayward Pines.

They are identical twin brothers and have had a close relationship since childhood. They work on all their projects as a pair.[1]

Career

After the brothers had written and directed several short films, their script for the post-apocalyptic horror film Hidden was acquired by Warner Bros. Pictures in 2011.[2] The brothers would go on to direct the film Hidden, which was released in 2015. Next the Duffer brothers were hired as writers/producers for the Fox television series Wayward Pines.

Stranger Things

With experience in television, they began pitching their idea for Stranger Things, which Dan Cohen eventually brought to Shawn Levy. Backed by Levy's 21 Laps production company, the show was quickly picked up by Netflix.[3][4] The show is set in 1980s Indiana and is an homage to 1980s pop culture,[5] inspired and aesthetically informed by the works of Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, David Lynch, Stephen King, and George Lucas, among others.[6][7]

It was released on July 15, 2016, to overwhelming praise,[8] specifically for its characterization, pacing, atmosphere, acting, soundtrack, directing, writing, and homages to 1980s genre films. It began to develop a cult following online.[9] Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the series an approval rating of 95%, based on 82 reviews, with a weighted average score of 7.96/10. The site's critical consensus states, "Exciting, heartbreaking, and sometimes scary, Stranger Things acts as an addictive homage to Spielberg films and vintage 1980s television."[10]

On September 30, 2019, Netflix announced they had signed the Duffers for additional films and television shows over the coming years.[11]

In March 2021, the duo announced they will team up with Spielberg to adapt Stephen King's and Peter Straub's The Talisman as a Netflix series. They will both be executive producers via Amblin Partners and Monkey Massacre and have hired Curtis Gwinn, who worked as a writer-executive producer on Stranger Things, to act as writer and showrunner of the project.[12]

Following the premiere of the fourth season of Stranger Things in July 2022, the Duffers launched the production company Upside Down Pictures, for which they recommitted to Netflix with several new projects. Among these include a live-action series adaptation of Death Note and a series adaptation of The Talisman, in addition to their follow-up series to Stranger Things.[13]

Personal lives

The Duffer Brothers were born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, the sons of Ann M. Christensen and Allen P. Duffer.[14] They began making films in the third grade, using a Hi8 video camera that was a gift from their parents. They attended the Duke School for Children from grades K-8, a private suburban school, and then the Charles E. Jordan High School, a large Durham public school. They relocated to Orange, California, to study film at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where they graduated in 2007.[3][15] Matt has one child; Winona Ryder is the godmother.[16]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Credited as Notes
Directors Writers Producers
2005 We All Fall Down Yes Yes No Short films
2007 Eater Yes Yes Yes
2009 Abraham's Boys No Yes Yes
Road to Moloch No Yes No
2012 Vessel No Yes No
2015 Hidden Yes Yes No Debut feature film
Completed in 2012, received limited release in 2015[17]

Other film credits

Year Title Credit Notes
2006 The Big Toe Editors Short films
2008 The Milkman Actors: Officer (Matt Duffer); Drive-by thug (Ross Duffer)
Saturday Night at Norm's Producers
2014 Honeymoon Special thanks
2021 Fear Street Part One: 1994
Fear Street Part Two: 1978
Fear Street Part Three: 1666

Television

Year Title Credited as Notes
Directors Writers Executive Producers Creators
2015–2016 Wayward Pines No Yes Co-Executive No Wrote 4 episodes
2016–present Stranger Things Yes Yes Yes Yes Directed 19 episodes
Wrote 16 episodes

Awards

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2016 American Film Institute Award Top 10 TV Programs of the Year Stranger Things Won [18]
Critics' Choice Television Award Best Drama Series Stranger Things Nominated [19]
[20]
Most Bingeworthy Show Stranger Things Nominated
2017 American Film Institute Award Top 10 TV Programs of the Year Stranger Things Won [21]
Bram Stoker Award Best Screenplay Stranger Things for "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers" Nominated [22]
Stranger Things for "Chapter Eight: The Upside Down" Nominated
Superior Achievement in a Screenplay Stranger Things for "Chapter Two: MADMAX" Nominated [23]
British Academy Television Award Best International Programme Stranger Things Nominated [24]
Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directing – Drama Series Stranger Things for "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers" Nominated [25]
Dorian Award TV Drama of the Year Stranger Things Nominated [26]
Dragon Award Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series Stranger Things Won [27]
Empire Award Best TV Series Stranger Things Nominated [28]
Fangoria Chainsaw Award Best TV Series Stranger Things Won [29]
Golden Globe Award Best Television Series – Drama Stranger Things Nominated [30]
Hugo Award Best Dramatic Presentation Stranger Things for season 1 of Stranger Things Nominated [31]
MTV Movie & TV Award Best Show Stranger Things Won [32]
National Television Award Best Period Drama Stranger Things Nominated [33]
NME Award Best TV Series Stranger Things Nominated [34]
People's Choice Award Favorite TV Show Stranger Things Nominated [35]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Stranger Things for "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers" Nominated [36]
Outstanding Drama Series Stranger Things Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Stranger Things for "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers" Nominated
Producers Guild of America Award Best Episodic Drama Stranger Things Won [37]
Satellite Award Best Television Series – Genre Stranger Things Nominated [38]
Saturn Award Best New Media Television Series Stranger Things Won[lower-alpha 1] [39]
[40]
Shorty Award Best TV Show Stranger Things Nominated [41]
TCA Award Outstanding Achievement in Drama Stranger Things Nominated [42]
Outstanding New Program Stranger Things Nominated
Program of the Year Stranger Things Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Breakout Series Stranger Things Nominated [43]
Choice Fantasy/Sci-Fi Series Stranger Things Nominated
Writers Guild of America Award Television: Dramatic Series Stranger Things Nominated [44]
Television: New Series Stranger Things Nominated
2018 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Drama Series Stranger Things Nominated [45]
Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directing – Drama Series Stranger Things for "Chapter Nine: The Gate" Nominated [46]
Empire Award Best TV Series Stranger Things Nominated [47]
Golden Globe Award Best Television Series – Drama Stranger Things Nominated [48]
MTV Movie & TV Award Best Show Stranger Things Won [49]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award Favorite TV Show Stranger Things Won [50]
NME Award Best TV Series Stranger Things Won [51]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Stranger Things for "Chapter Nine: The Gate" Nominated [52]
Outstanding Drama Series Stranger Things Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Stranger Things for "Chapter Nine: The Gate" Nominated
Producers Guild of America Award Best Episodic Drama Stranger Things Nominated [53]
Satellite Award Best Television Series – Genre Stranger Things Nominated [54]
Saturn Award Best New Media Television Series Stranger Things Nominated [55]
Teen Choice Award Choice Fantasy/Sci-Fi Series Stranger Things Nominated [56]
Writers Guild of America Award Television: Dramatic Series Stranger Things Nominated [57]
2019 Grammy Award Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media Stranger Things Nominated [58]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award Favorite TV Drama Stranger Things Nominated [59]
People's Choice Awards Bingeworthy Show of 2019 Stranger Things Nominated [60]
Drama Show of 2019 Stranger Things Won
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show of 2019 Stranger Things Nominated
Show of 2019 Stranger Things Won
Saturn Award Best Streaming Horror & Thriller Series Stranger Things Won [61]
Teen Choice Award Choice Summer TV Show Stranger Things Won [62]
2020 Satellite Award Best Genre Series Stranger Things Won [63]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Drama Series Stranger Things Nominated [64]

References

  1. ↑ Nobil, Taryn (November 23, 2017). "Duffer Brothers on Stranger Things 2 and What Scares Them". Variety. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  2. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (December 1, 2011). "Warners buys spec from recent grads". Variety. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Lindsey, Craig (July 9, 2016). "Durham's Duffer Brothers land on Netflix". The News & Observer. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  4. ↑ Geoff Berkshire, Stranger Things: Shawn Levy on Directing Winona Ryder, Netflix's Viral Model, Variety, 22 July 2016.
  5. ↑ "Stranger Things is an Homage to the Greats". FrightFind. July 26, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  6. ↑ Leeds, Sarene (July 13, 2016). "How Netflix's Stranger Things Channels Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter and Stephen King". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  7. ↑ Hutchinson, Sean (July 19, 2016). "Every '80s Pop Culture References in Stranger Things". Inverse. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  8. ↑ Stranger Things, retrieved September 4, 2016
  9. ↑ Allen, Gavin (July 29, 2016). "11 (geddit?) reasons why we love Netflix new TV series Stranger Things". Daily Mirror. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Stranger Things: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  11. ↑ Goldberg, Leslie (September 30, 2019). "Stranger Things Renewed for Season 4 as Creators Ink Nine-Figure Netflix Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  12. ↑ Kit, Borys (March 5, 2021). "Steven Spielberg, Duffer Bros. Team to Tackle Stephen King's 'Talisman' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Duffer Brothers Launch Netflix Shingle Upside Down Pictures; 'Stranger Things' Spinoff & Stephen Daldry-Helmed Stage Play Coming Along with Manga 'Death Note' & Stephen King/Peter Straub 'The Talisman' Series". July 6, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Leigh Janiak, Ross Duffer". The New York Times. December 27, 2015.
  15. ↑ Bonker, Dawn (August 19, 2016). "The wild and strange summer of The Duffer Brothers '07 and Stranger Things". Chapman University. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  16. ↑ Lewis, Tim (December 10, 2023). "The Duffer Brothers: 'The last series of Stranger Things is the biggest it's ever been'". The Guardian. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  17. ↑ Hutchinson, Sean (August 23, 2016). "Revisiting The Duffer Brothers' Lost Movie, "Hidden"". Inverse. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  18. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (December 8, 2016). "AFI Awards: TV Honorees Heavy On Freshmen; This Is Us Lone Network Show". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  19. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly; Shanley, Patrick (December 11, 2016). "Critics' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 13, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Critics' Choice Awards: Game of Thrones nominated for Most Bingeworthy". Entertainment Weekly. November 16, 2016. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  21. ↑ Tapley, Kristopher (December 7, 2017). "Get Out, Wonder Woman, Handmaid's Tale Make AFI Awards Lists". Variety. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  22. ↑ Glass, Joe (April 30, 2017). "Bram Stoker Awards 2016 Winners Announced". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Announcing the 2017 Bram Stoker Awards Winners". Tor.com. March 5, 2018. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  24. ↑ Mitchell, Robert (April 11, 2017). "The Crown Leads BAFTA Television Award Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  25. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (January 11, 2017). "DGA TV Awards Nominations: Stranger Things, Westworld & Atlanta On List; Docus Include 'OJ: Made In America'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  26. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (January 12, 2017). "Moonlight Leads Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics' Dorian Award Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  27. ↑ Liptak, Andrew (September 3, 2017). "Here are the winners of the 2017 Dragon Awards". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  28. ↑ Nugent, John (March 19, 2017). "Three Empire Awards 2017: Rogue One, Tom Hiddleston And Patrick Stewart Win Big". Empire. Archived from the original on June 7, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Never mind Oscar, here's the 2017 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!". Fangoria. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  30. ↑ "La La Land breaks record for most wins at the 74th Golden Globes Awards". Los Angeles Times. December 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  31. ↑ Gartenberg, Chaim (April 4, 2017). "Here are the 2017 Hugo Award nominees". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  32. ↑ Knapp, JD (May 7, 2017). "2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards: Complete Winners List". Variety. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  33. ↑ Harp, Justin (January 3, 2017). "National Television Awards reveals its 2017 nominees – check out the full rundown and vote now". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 12, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  34. ↑ Trendell, Andrew (February 15, 2017). "VO5 NME Awards 2017 – see the full winners' list". NME. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  35. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (November 15, 2016). "People's Choice Awards Nominees 2017 — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 3, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Emmy Awards: Complete Winners List". Variety. September 17, 2017. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  37. ↑ "PGA Awards: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. January 28, 2017. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  38. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (November 29, 2016). "Satellite Award Nominees Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  39. ↑ McNary, Dave (March 2, 2017). "Saturn Awards Nominations 2017: Rogue One, Walking Dead Lead". Variety. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  40. ↑ Siegel, Lucas (June 29, 2017). "Marvel, Star Wars, The Walking Dead win big at 2017 Saturn Awards". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  41. ↑ Spangler, Todd (March 2, 2017). "Shorty Awards 2017: Finalists". Variety. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  42. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (June 19, 2017). "Handmaid's Tale, This Is Us and Atlanta Lead 2017 TV Critic Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  43. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (August 13, 2017). "Teen Choice Awards: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017.
  44. ↑ Schwindt, Oriana (December 5, 2016). "Writers Guild TV Nominations: Stranger Things, Westworld, This Is Us, Atlanta Break Through". Variety. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  45. ↑ Tapley, Kristopher (January 11, 2018). "Shape of Water, Big Little Lies, 'Handmaid's Tale' Top Critics' Choice Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  46. ↑ Marotta, Jenna (February 4, 2018). "DGA Awards 2018: Full Winners List, from Guillermo del Toro to Jordan Peele". IndieWire. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  47. ↑ Travis, Ben (January 19, 2018). "Star Wars The Last Jedi and Thor Ragnarok Lead Empire Awards 2018 Nominations". Empire. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  48. ↑ Merry, Stephanie; Yahr, Emily (December 11, 2017). "Golden Globes nominations 2018: Complete list of nominations". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  49. ↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 18, 2018). "MTV Movie & TV Awards Winners: Black Panther, Stranger Things Among Top Honorees – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Kids' Choice Awards: Complete List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. March 24, 2018. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  51. ↑ Daly, Rhian (February 14, 2018). "Here are all the winners from the VO5 NME Awards 2018". NME. Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  52. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (July 12, 2018). "Emmy Nominations: Game Of Thrones Tops Noms, With Netflix & HBO Leading Way – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  53. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (January 20, 2017). "PGA Awards: The Shape of Water Named Outstanding Motion Picture". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  54. ↑ Pond, Steve (November 29, 2017). "Dunkirk, The Shape of Water Lead Satellite Award Nominations". TheWrap. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  55. ↑ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "Black Panther, Walking Dead Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  56. ↑ Cohen, Jess (June 13, 2018). "Teen Choice Awards 2018: Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther and Riverdale Among Top Nominees". E! Online. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  57. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (December 7, 2017). "Writers Guild Award TV Nominations: The Americans, Handmaid's Tale, GLOW Grab Multiple Mentions". Variety. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  58. ↑ "2019 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominations List". The Recording Academy. December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  59. ↑ Howard, Annie (February 26, 2019). "Kids' Choice Awards: 'Avengers: Infinity War' Tops Nominees; DJ Khaled to Host". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  60. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly; Howard, Annie (November 10, 2019). "People's Choice Awards: 'Avengers: Endgame' Named Best Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  61. ↑ Mancuso, Vinnie (July 16, 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame', Game of Thrones Lead the 2019 Saturn Awards Nominations". Collider. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  62. ↑ "Stranger Things tops second wave of Teen Choice nominees". ABC News Radio. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  63. ↑ "2019 Winners". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  64. ↑ Konerman, Jennifer; Lewis, Hilary; Nordyke, Kimberly (July 28, 2020). "Emmy Awards: Nominations List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2020.

Notes

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.