This summer, Netflix debuted Matt and Ross Duffer's send-up to '80s sci-fi flicks and kid-focused adventures, Stranger Things, to critical acclaim and a massively positive response from TV fans. The first season followed the residents of Hawkins, Indiana in the fall of 1983 after a local boy -- Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) -- disappeared. While his mother Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) searched for answers, his friends discovered he was taken by a monster they named the Demogorgon to an alternate universe they called the Upside Down. Additionally, they discovered a girl named Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) linked to both the Demogorgon and the Upside Down who possessed telekinetic powers.

The season 1 finale of Stranger Things left plenty of story threads open, causing fans to wonder whether Netflix would grant the Duffer brothers' series a second season -- and what that would entail. Netflix announced season 2 of Stranger Things late in the summer, but Matt and Ross Duffer revealed they had begun working on it even before the debut of season 1 on Netflix. Now, a new photo of the Stranger Things cast reveals who will return and announces production has begun on season 2.

The official Stranger Things Twitter account posted an upside down photo from the table read for season 2, along with the additionally inverted caption: "Back in production, see you next year." The photo includes returning cast members Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Schnapp, Brown, Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), and Joe Keery (Steve Harrington). New cast members Sadie Sink and Dacre Montgomery — who will play step siblings Max and Billy, respectively — also appear. Take a look at the tweet and photo:

Season 1 of Stranger Things left plenty to be explored in subsequent seasons, including the effects that living in the Upside Down for a week would have on Will -- teased in the finale by him coughing up a slug creature from the alternate dimension. However, one of the bigger mysteries was the fate of Eleven, who disappeared when she destroyed the Demogorgon, though Chief Hopper seemed to have hope she was still alive somewhere. It was recently reported Brown was expected to return for Stranger Things season 2, but Netflix wouldn't confirm it at the time; we can now take this photo as confirmation, though it remains to be seen how or when Eleven will return to Hawkins.

Furthermore, although fan-favorite season 1 character Barb (Shannon Purser) has already been confirmed by the Duffer brothers not to return, the writing duo have explained her disappearance will affect the characters in season 2 -- particularly her best friend Nancy. Additional details revealed by the Duffers confirm season 2 will pick up nearly a year following the events of season 1. However, while the season 2 episode titles offer some insight into the future of Stranger Things, we don't know too many specifics about the upcoming season -- plus Matt and Ross Duffer have since revealed certain episode titles will change by the time season 2 hits Netflix.

That said, given the massive popularity of Stranger Things season 1, fans will be eagerly awaiting any information the Duffer brothers or Netflix are willing to release -- including this photo that reveals production has begun and confirms of Eleven's return. Without an official release date, though, it remains to be seen how long fans will have to wait until they'll be able to watch season 2 of Stranger Things.

Next: 15 Things We Want To See In Season 2 Of Stranger Things

Stranger Things season 1 is currently available on Netflix. Season 2 is currently in production and is expected to arrive in 2017.

Source: Stranger Things/Twitter