Credit: Inside the Magic
As Netflix gears up for the highly anticipated release of Stranger Things 5, all eyes are on Millie Bobby Brown, who has grown from a breakout child star into one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young talents. Her portrayal of Eleven, the telekinetic hero at the heart of the show, has been integral to the series’ success, and fans are eager to see how her journey concludes in the upcoming final season.
Credit: Netflix
Reflecting on Eleven’s Evolution
When Stranger Things premiered in 2016, Brown was just 12 years old. Her role as Eleven, a mysterious girl with a shaved head and extraordinary powers, catapulted her into international fame. Over the past four seasons, Eleven has evolved from a frightened, experiment-escaped girl into a courageous, self-sacrificing young woman determined to protect her friends and confront the horrors of the Upside Down.
Credit: Netflix
Season 5 is expected to bring Eleven full circle, with the Duffer Brothers promising a deeper exploration of her relationship with the Upside Down and her ultimate confrontation with Vecna, the series’ most formidable villain. “The stakes have never been higher,” said series co-creator Matt Duffer in a recent interview. “Everything we’ve been building towards leads to this.”
The Rest of the Cast
Credit: Netflix
Brown’s co-stars have also played critical roles in making Stranger Things a cultural phenomenon. The core group of kids—Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo)—have grown up alongside their characters, facing increasingly dangerous challenges as the series progressed.
Season 5 will also revisit the older characters like Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), and Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton), whose arcs have intertwined with the younger cast’s adventures. Fans are particularly excited to see how Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) navigate the aftermath of their return to Hawkins after narrowly escaping death in Russia during Season 4.
What’s New for Season 5?
Set for a 2025 release, Season 5 has been shrouded in secrecy, but rumors and fan theories are already rampant. With the events of Season 4 leaving Hawkins on the brink of collapse, the final season is expected to dive into the origins of the Upside Down, Vecna’s ultimate plan, and the characters’ last-ditch efforts to save their world.
Netflix has hinted that the final episodes will be the most emotional and action-packed of the series. A teaser poster unveiled earlier this year bore the tagline, “The Beginning of the End,” further fueling speculation about major character deaths and an intense final battle.
Additionally, fans are buzzing over a potential Christmas Day announcement from Netflix, with rumors suggesting the streaming giant might reveal the Season 5 release date during its NFL holiday broadcasts.
Millie Bobby Brown’s Absence from the Wrap Party
Credit: Netflix
While fans were thrilled to see behind-the-scenes photos from the Season 5 wrap party, Millie Bobby Brown’s absence didn’t go unnoticed. However, the star had a good reason for missing the celebration: she was spending quality time with her husband, Jake Bongiovi, and his family during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The couple, who tied the knot in May 2024, have been basking in newlywed bliss. A source close to Brown shared that she is “absolutely loving this chapter of her life” and cherishes the time she spends with her husband’s family.
“Millie adores Thanksgiving with Jake’s family,” the insider revealed. “She’s especially fond of his mom’s cooking, and their gatherings are always warm and inviting.”
A Year of Romantic Milestones
Brown and Bongiovi, who began dating in 2021, secretly wed in a small, intimate ceremony earlier this year. The nuptials were attended by close family members, including Bongiovi’s famous father, Jon Bon Jovi. A few months later, the couple hosted a grand celebration in Italy, where Brown wowed in two stunning bridal gowns.
For Brown, this holiday season is particularly special. “Christmas is her favorite holiday,” the source added. “She starts decorating early and is fully embracing the season as a married woman.”
The Legacy of Stranger Things
Credit: Netflix
As fans prepare to bid farewell to Hawkins, Indiana, it’s impossible to ignore the profound impact Stranger Things has had on pop culture. From iconic moments like Eleven’s dramatic showdown with the Demogorgon to the unforgettable “Running Up That Hill” sequence in Season 4, the show has redefined genre television and launched its cast into superstardom.
The series has also been a massive success for Netflix, consistently breaking viewership records. Season 4 became the most-watched English-language series on the platform, solidifying Stranger Things as a global phenomenon.
What’s Next for Millie Bobby Brown?
As Stranger Things comes to a close, Brown is already looking ahead to her post-Hawkins career. With projects like Enola Holmes and Godzilla vs. Kong under her belt, she’s proven her versatility as an actress and her ability to lead major franchises.
Brown has also ventured into entrepreneurship, launching her beauty brand Florence by Mills, which has been well-received by fans and beauty enthusiasts alike. In interviews, she’s expressed excitement about exploring new roles and creative opportunities, including producing and writing.
A Bittersweet Goodbye
While the end of Stranger Things marks the conclusion of a groundbreaking era, it also opens the door for its cast and creators to explore new horizons. For fans, Season 5 promises to be an unforgettable farewell to a show that has defined a generation.
As for Millie Bobby Brown, her future shines just as brightly as Eleven’s journey once did. Whether she’s battling interdimensional monsters or celebrating the holidays with her husband’s family, one thing is certain: the world will be watching.
