British actress Millie Bobby Brown, known for playing Eleven on ‘Stranger Things’ has spoken publicly for the first time about the uncertain fate of Eleven following the conclusion of the superhit series, while also revealing the emotional impact of leaving the series after a decade and reconnecting with her castmates in the months that followed.
Speaking during a live recording of the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast at New York’s 92NY venue, Brown said she remains bound by a secrecy agreement with series creators Matt and Ross Duffer regarding Eleven’s ultimate fate.
“They were like, ‘Do not tell anyone. Because we made it a secret kind of pledge,’” Brown said. “No one else knows. It’s just us three. And what we do with that information, it’ll be up to them.”
The ending of the Netflix series left viewers divided over whether Eleven survived the final confrontation with Vecna in the Upside Down. Brown said she and her husband, Jake Bongiovi, followed online reactions after the finale aired on New Year’s Eve.
“Jake was like, ‘Ooh, these are really split.’ And the whole cast thinks I’m dead,” Brown said. “One, rude. It’s so rude of them.”
She added, “There’s something to it, surely. You guys are projecting! It’s like, ‘Hey guys, we get it. You want me dead!’ But I was like, ‘Believe!’ Let’s have some hope here.”
The debate has extended to Brown’s fellow cast members. David Harbour, who portrayed Jim Hopper, previously argued that Eleven’s death was implied by the story, while Sadie Sink also suggested the ending carried greater emotional weight if the character had died. Noah Schnapp, however, recently told fans that he believes Eleven is still alive.
Brown said the audience at the podcast recording overwhelmingly supported that view.
“We have a hopeful audience,” she said. “I love that.”
Asked again whether she believes Eleven survived, Brown replied, “All people say now is, ‘Do you believe?’ And of course I believe. I have to believe, honestly. Otherwise January will come around again.”
The actor revealed that she experienced a period of depression after the series concluded, despite describing herself as naturally optimistic.
“I went into a little bit of a slight, slight depression,” she said. “It was very hard for me. I would not have expected that coming off of the show. I’m a very happy-go-lucky person.”
During that period, Brown said she contacted her co-stars to strengthen their relationships beyond the show and address any lingering misunderstandings.
“They probably thought I was crazy,” she said. “I was like, ‘We’re still friends, right? Like, you’re not gonna stop talking to me anymore?’ I was like, ‘I’m sorry if I ever upset you,’ and was just trying to mend anything.”
Reflecting on the experience, she added, “It’s been 10 years, and I really want to be friends. You’re my sibling.”
Brown said the end of the series was particularly difficult because of the role ‘Stranger Things’ played throughout her childhood.
“No one will ever understand it,” she said. “I started the show when I was 10, and this character was me, and these people were in my life more than my own family.”
She continued, “Saying goodbye to that after 10 years was a very, very emotional thing, and I’m going to miss Eleven more than anything.”
While the Duffer brothers have declined to clarify Eleven’s fate, they have said there was never a version of the ending in which she simply rejoined her friends for one final game of Dungeons & Dragons. They described the finale as intentionally bittersweet while retaining a sense of hope.
Brown also hinted at a future collaboration with Harbour, describing plans for a new project as “concrete”.
“The David Harbour project is sooner than expected,” she said. “And it’s David’s idea, so kudos to him.”
She also confirmed she continues to develop projects with Netflix, including the romantic comedy ‘Just Picture It’, while noting that the television series ‘Prism’ may be delayed because of scheduling considerations.
