Millie Bobby Brown broke down in tears while reading a farewell letter to the cast and crew of “Stranger Things” after her final day of filming on the blockbuster Netflix series. The streamer announced Dec. 20 that production on the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” had wrapped. Brown marked the occasion by posting a gallery of photos to social media from her 9 years making the show. She was just 11 years old when production first started in November 2015.
Included in Brown’s photo memories of her near-decade making “Stranger Things” was a final video of her sobbing on set while saying goodbye to the crew. She hugged a crew member after telling everyone on set she loved them.
“Isn’t graduation supposed to bring relief? Like you’re glad to leave behind the teachers and classmates. Not me,” she said while breaking down into tears. “I am nowhere near ready to leave you guys. I love each and every one of you and I will forever carry the memories and bonds we created together as a family. I love you, thank you.”
Brown has been a fixture on “Stranger Things” as Eleven since the show’s pilot episode, and the series’ popularity turned her and her young co-stars into global superstars. She told Women’s Wear Daily last year that she was ready for “Stranger Things” to end with its upcoming fifth season.
“I think I’m ready,” Brown said about “Stranger Things” ending. “It’s been such a huge factor in part of my life, but it’s like graduating high school, it’s like senior year. You’re ready to go and blossom and flourish and you’re grateful for the time you’ve had, but it’s time to create your own message and live your own life.”
Brown’s co-star David Harbour shared similar thoughts to Discussing Film around the same time, saying, “What’s funny is when I started the show, I never ever wanted it to end. That’s why I love the show. I think it’s a great show, even if I wasn’t in it. Now we’re almost nine years from filming the first season, and I think it is time for it to end.”
Harbour continued, “But it is, of course, very bittersweet. You know, there’s a sadness there. But also, we’ve all grown up. It is time for us to leave that nest and try other things and different projects. And to let the Duffer Brothers try different things as well. I mean, those guys are so talented. I want to see what they come up with next. So it is bittersweet, but it’s definitely time.”
The final season of “Stranger Things” will premiere on Netflix in 2025.