Stranger Things Star Left Out of Final Season Amid Health Battle
A familiar face from Stranger Things was missing from the last season, sparking questions among fans. The actor has now shared the real reason behind her absence, and what’s next for the series.
Fans tuning in for the last chapter of Stranger Things were quick to notice a key character missing from the line-up. Jennifer Marshall, who played the mum of Max Mayfield in the much-loved Netflix series, has opened up about why she didn’t return for the show’s final run. Marshall, who appeared in the second and fourth seasons, revealed she was undergoing treatment for cancer during the time the last season was filmed.
Her character, Susan Hargrove, is the mother of Max, a teenager who spends nearly two years in a coma after a run-in with the show’s main villain, Vecna. Many viewers were left scratching their heads, wondering why Max’s mum was nowhere to be seen during such a crucial time for her daughter. Marshall herself seemed just as baffled, taking to Instagram to share her thoughts on being left out.
Marshall’s Candid Response
In a post to her followers, Marshall didn’t hold back.
“I had cancer, I get it. But I was in remission during the shooting of season five,”
she wrote. She went on to mention that being part of the filming would have helped her keep her health insurance through her union.
“Maybe they had too many characters, I don’t know, but obviously Susan Hargrove is the worst mother ever.”
she joked, poking fun at her character’s absence. She also added the hashtag, “Cancer sucks, but why?” to her post, showing a bit of her trademark dry humour.
Marshall’s video was captioned, “How often I think about where the fuck Max’s mum was during season five,” with the audio,
“Every day. Not all day, every day, but… Every day.”
Her honesty struck a chord with fans, many of whom had been wondering the same thing.
Stranger Things Wraps Up, Spin-Off Announced
The sci-fi hit wrapped up on New Year’s Eve 2025, closing the book on a series that’s been a favourite for heaps of punters around the world. But the story isn’t quite over yet. The Duffer brothers, who created the show, have confirmed a spin-off is in the works. This new project will dig into the backstory of Henry, better known as Vecna, and promises to tackle some of the questions left hanging after the finale. The spin-off is set to introduce a fresh mythology, giving fans something new to sink their teeth into.
Cast Moves On to New Projects
While Stranger Things fans are keen to see what comes next, the cast are already moving on to other gigs. Sadie Sink, who played Max, is making her West End debut as Juliet in a new production of Romeo & Juliet at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London. She’ll be joined by Noah Jupe as Romeo, with Robert Icke directing the show. It’s a big step for Sink, and fans are eager to see her take on the iconic role.