Stranger Things Actress Jennifer Marshall Expresses Disappointment Over Character’s Absence

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One of the actors from the popular show Stranger Things is disappointed they weren’t included in the final season. Now that the show has ended after years of excitement, the finale is getting mixed reactions. While many viewers appreciated the emotional scenes, there’s been debate about what happened to the character Eleven.

Fans have also been talking about characters from Stranger Things who didn’t return for the final season. One example is Susan Hargrove, Max Mayfield’s mother, played by Jennifer Marshall. She was first introduced in season 2 but wasn’t included in the show’s conclusion.

Marshall publicly questioned why Susan didn’t appear in the final episode of Stranger Things, particularly because her character’s daughter, Max, was in a coma. The actress, known for her recent work on Reacher and For All Mankind, took to Instagram to ask fans to speculate about her character’s whereabouts during this crucial time. She expressed her frustration, asking, “What kind of mother isn’t there for her child in the hospital?”

Marshall shared a personal video on Instagram revealing she was in cancer remission while filming season 5 of Stranger Things. She explained returning to her role as Susan was important because it provided her with health insurance, jokingly calling Susan ‘the worst mother ever.’ You can watch the video here:

As a film and TV buff, I think the impact of Susan’s absence feels stronger than Eddie’s, and it’s all about the established relationship. If Susan and Max hadn’t been so close, her not being around wouldn’t sting as much. It’s heartbreaking to watch, especially as Susan spirals, clearly struggling with depression and turning to alcohol, even though her love for her daughter is obvious. She’s been there for Max during tough times, like hospital stays, so seeing her missing now in season 5 just feels…more noticeable. While you could debate Eddie’s absence, Susan’s really jumps out at you.

Vecna cruelly exploits Susan’s image to torment Max. While Marshall wasn’t a central character, her limited role highlights a bigger problem with the final season: it prioritizes delivering a large-scale battle over developing meaningful character moments, which are what viewers would likely remember most.

Marshall believes even a brief appearance by the Stranger Things cast could have immediately improved her experience. This emphasizes that creative decisions aren’t just about the story itself – they have significant consequences. Ultimately, viewers are left wondering about Susan’s fate, a question that could have been easily answered if the show had simply taken a moment to address it.

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2026-01-07 15:47