Millie Bobby Brown Opens Up About Post-'Stranger Things' Depression and Emotional Farewell

Published 06/25/2026, 2:20 PM EDT

via Imago

Actress Millie Bobby Brown recently revealed that she fell into depression after Stranger Things wrapped filming and spent January reaching out to her co-stars to mend any unresolved tensions. The actress reflected on the emotional impact of saying goodbye to the series that defined much of her childhood and career. Months after the hit Netflix ended its final chapter, Brown opened up about the close bonds shared by the cast and the challenges of moving on after nearly a decade together. 

Sometimes, the hardest part of finishing a beloved story is not filming the final scene, but learning how to say goodbye. 

Millie Bobby Brown opens up about her emotional struggles after Stranger Things ended

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Millie Bobby Brown revealed that she struggled emotionally after Stranger Things came to an end, saying she never expected saying goodbye to be so difficult. Speaking at a live recording of Happy Sad Confused at 92NY, the actress admitted the transition was especially challenging despite her naturally cheerful personality. Brown reflected on moving on from the Netflix series that shaped much of her childhood and career. 

“I went into a little bit of a slight, slight depression. 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,” as per Variety, Brown confessed that the end of Stranger Things left her emotionally overwhelmed, despite her usually upbeat personality. 

Variety further reported that Brown further revealed that she spent January reconnecting with her Stranger Things cast-mates after filming wrapped. She wanted to resolve any lingering misunderstandings and ensure their friendships would continue after the series ended. Having spent a decade together, she felt it was important to leave with no unfinished emotional business.

She admitted she repeatedly asked her co-stars if they would stay in touch and apologized if she had ever hurt them. Brown, who kept the fate of Eleven a secret, admitted that she viewed the cast as family and wanted to preserve those bonds beyond the show. Reflecting on the emotional farewell, she recalled sitting on a beach in tears as the reality of saying goodbye finally sank in. 

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While Brown was coming to terms with the end behind the scenes, Stranger Things was also preparing to close the book on its story. 

How did Stranger Things wrap up the story?

Stranger Things wrapped production after nearly a decade, marking the end of one of Netflix's most popular and influential original series. Since premiering in 2016, the sci-fi drama became a global phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and launching the careers of its young cast. The fifth and final season now brought the story of Hawkins and its battle against the Upside Down to a close.

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The final season reunited the core group of characters for one last battle following the dramatic events of Season 4. It answered several long-standing mysteries, including the fate of Hawkins and the ultimate confrontation with Vecna. With the story now complete, Stranger Things brought its decade-long journey to an emotional close. 

With Stranger Things now officially concluded, Millie Bobby Brown's reflections offer a glimpse into the emotional journey behind the scenes. While the series has delivered its long-awaited ending to fans, the cast has also had to say goodbye to a project that shaped much of their lives. Her emotional farewell shows that the end of Stranger Things was just as life-changing for its cast as it was for the fans. 

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Did the end of Stranger Things take a bigger emotional toll on Millie Bobby Brown than fans expected? Let us know in the comments. 

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Bias Sinha

209 articles

Bias Sinha is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie, where she dives into Hollywood and all things celebrity culture with a sharp, timely lens. Previously, she covered pop culture and wrote on NBA for The Times of India. With a double Master’s degree in English and Education, and over 7 years of experience across creative writing, editing, proofreading, and academic content, she blends structure with storytelling ease.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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