As Stranger Things prepares for its final season, star Millie Bobby Brown is opening up about her creative process in shaping Eleven’s character until the very end. During the long filming of the fifth and final season, Brown revealed she proposed some “insane” ideas to keep her performance fresh after nearly a decade of playing the psychic hero.
Keeping Eleven Fresh After a Decade
During an interview on Jake’s Takes alongside her co-star Noah Schnapp, Brown was asked how she avoids her performance becoming stale after so many years. The conversation specifically turned to Eleven’s signature telekinetic hand gestures and whether the actors ever struggle to find new variations.
Brown laughed and shared a story about once pitching a new physical move to accompany Eleven’s powers. She was fully ready to try anything to keep the character interesting, especially with the series heading toward its conclusion.
“It actually happened to me this season. I thought, ‘Do I throw a little kick? I don’t know.’ I was like, ‘Could it be a kick?’ and everyone was like, ‘Millie, you’ve gone insane, it’s been 10 years. Don’t kick.’ And I’m like, ‘But what if it is?’ They’re like, ‘Stop pitching it, it’s not working.’ So, yeah, you’re not wrong. You start to go a little bit insane.”
Despite some ideas not making the final cut, Brown expressed that Eleven is more locked-in and driven than ever before in this final season. She teased that the character has a clear goal and mission, and she is excited for audiences to root for her one last time.
A Final Season Full of Action and Nostalgia
The fifth season will see the full Hawkins party united for a final stand against the threats from the Upside Down. Brown has described the new episodes as action-packed, noting that every character is pushed to their limits.
“Everybody is really put into the thick of it. No one is sitting back on a walkie-talkie. Everyone is full throttle, going for it.”
She even channeled her inner action hero for the role, citing Tom Cruise as an inspiration for her physical performance. Brown hinted that the first volume of episodes only begins to show what Eleven has been training for.
A major theme of the final season will be nostalgia, with the story tying directly back to the show’s beginnings. Brown, a self-professed lover of the first season, confirmed this narrative circle.
“I’m really, really excited for everyone to see how everyone’s storylines tie back to Season 1. And I think that’s going to be really satisfying to everyone… I think it’s really nostalgic, and I think you get to see elements of Season 1 coming back into Season 5.”
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An Emotional Goodbye for the Cast
Filming the final season was an emotional experience for the tight-knit cast, who have grown up together on set. Brown said the hardest part was saying goodbye to her favorite crew members, cast, and directors.
“What a wonderful, wonderful production that I was able to be a part of.”
Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, echoed the sentiment, calling the last day of filming the most memorable of his life. He confirmed that the entire cast, along with their parents, showed up to mark the occasion, solidifying the deep bonds formed over the series.
The cast remains closely connected through a group chat, which they say will continue long after the show ends. Brown and Schnapp are among the most active participants, often coordinating times to meet up despite their busy schedules. Schnapp affirmed that the relationships are genuine and lifelong, calling his co-stars “family.”
When to Watch the Final Episodes
Stranger Things Season 5 will be released on Netflix in three parts. The first volume, consisting of four episodes, arrives on November 26, 2025. The next three episodes will follow on December 25, 2025. The series finale will premiere on January 1, 2026, bringing the story of Hawkins to a close.
Also Read: Where The Beast In Me Was Filmed: A Guide to the Netflix Thriller’s Locations
Credits: netflix.com
