Millie Bobby Brown stood on the red carpet in London on November 14, 2025, wearing a black corset dress from Ashi Studio—a gown that shimmered with tulle and structure, as if the character Eleven had stepped out of the Upside Down and onto the runway. But this wasn’t a costume. It was a farewell. The 21-year-old actress, who rose to global fame at age 12 as the telekinetic girl with shaved eyebrows and a heart full of quiet strength, delivered an emotional speech that silenced the crowd: "I’m going to miss the people. I’m going to miss my cast. You know, we’re family. We’ve been grown up together." The moment marked the final public appearance of the core Stranger Things Season 5 premiereLondon before the series’ conclusion on Netflix.
A Decade in the Upside Down
When Netflix dropped the first season of Stranger Things on July 15, 2016, no one expected it to become a cultural earthquake. But it did. Shot primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, since September 2015, the Duffer Brothers’ sci-fi horror homage became the streaming giant’s most-watched original series ever. And at its center was Brown, a then-unknown British-American child actor with no prior major credits beyond minor BBC and ITV roles. Now, after five seasons and nearly a decade, she’s leaving behind a legacy that reshaped teen stardom.
The show’s production timeline mirrors Brown’s own coming-of-age. She joined the cast at 12. She graduated high school on set. She founded her own production company, PCMA Productions, in 2020. She became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She starred in films like Enola Holmes. And through it all, she never left Hawkins.
The Cast That Grew Up Together
At the London premiere, Brown was flanked by Sadie Sink, who plays Max Mayfield, and Natalie Dyer, who portrayed Nancy Wheeler. David Harbour, who played Jim Hopper, was absent—a detail that only deepened the sense of finality. The cast members who’ve been there since Season 1—Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Finn Wolfhard—have all aged visibly, their childlike innocence replaced by the quiet confidence of young adults.
"It’s not that I’ll miss them because I know I’m going to see them," Brown continued. "It’s just in that context… we’re never going to do this again." Her words echoed across social media, where fans posted side-by-side photos of 12-year-old Eleven and 21-year-old Brown, captioned: "We grew up with her."
The Duffers, the Dress, and the Design
Brown’s dress wasn’t just fashion—it was symbolism. The Ashi Studio corset, from its fall 2025 collection, fused restraint with drama: structured like Eleven’s suppressed emotions, flowing like the tulle of her psychic powers. The Lebanese fashion house, founded by designer Ashi in Beirut, has dressed stars at Cannes and the Oscars, but this was its most poignant red carpet moment yet.
The Duffers—Matt and Ross—were the architects of this world. As showrunners, writers, and directors, they built a universe that felt lived-in, nostalgic, and deeply human. Brown’s remarks named them directly: "…the Duffers, what they’ve created on screen is really special." Their storytelling gave her a voice before she even knew how to use it.
What Comes Next?
With Season 5 set to premiere on Netflix in late 2025, Brown’s promotional cycle is over. She’s already hinted at new projects—both in front of and behind the camera. Her production company, PCMA Productions, is developing female-led thrillers and YA adaptations. But fans aren’t just mourning a show. They’re mourning the end of a shared childhood.
"This wasn’t just a job," said one fan at the premiere, holding a handmade sign: "Eleven raised me. Thank you, Millie."
The Legacy of Hawkins
21 Laps Entertainment, Shawn Levy’s production company, helped shape the tone of the series with its signature blend of 80s nostalgia and modern suspense. But the real magic was in the casting. The show didn’t just launch careers—it gave a generation a shared emotional language. For millions, Eleven’s journey mirrored their own: isolation, resilience, finding belonging.
As the final credits roll on Season 5, the question isn’t whether Stranger Things will be remembered. It’s how soon we’ll see another series that makes us feel like we grew up alongside its characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Millie Bobby Brown’s dress so significant?
The black corset dress from Ashi Studio’s fall 2025 collection symbolized Eleven’s journey—structured yet ethereal, powerful yet vulnerable. Its tulle train echoed the character’s psychic energy, while the corset represented the emotional constraints she overcame. Fashion critics called it "a metaphor in silk and lace," and fans immediately linked it to her character’s evolution from silent victim to confident leader.
Who were the key people Brown thanked during her speech?
Brown specifically thanked the cast, crew, and the Duffer Brothers—Matt and Ross Duffer—who created and ran the show. She called them family, emphasizing that the emotional weight came not from ending a TV series, but from closing a chapter with people who raised her from childhood into adulthood. Her words highlighted how rare it is for a cast to bond so deeply over nearly a decade of production.
How did Stranger Things change Millie Bobby Brown’s career?
Before Stranger Things, Brown had only minor roles in UK TV shows. At 12, she became a global star overnight. By 20, she’d founded her own production company, PCMA Productions, and starred in major films. She became one of Netflix’s most valuable assets and a UNICEF ambassador. The show didn’t just make her famous—it gave her the platform to control her own narrative, something few child stars ever achieve.
Why was the London premiere the final major event for the cast?
Netflix planned the London premiere as the last large-scale promotional event before Season 5’s release. With filming wrapped in 2024 and the cast now pursuing individual careers, this was the final time all core actors appeared together publicly. The absence of David Harbour, though unexplained, underscored the quiet, personal nature of the farewell—no grand tour, just a heartfelt moment in a city far from Hawkins.
What’s the cultural impact of Stranger Things on Gen Z?
Stranger Things became a generational touchstone, blending 80s nostalgia with modern storytelling. For Gen Z, it was more than entertainment—it was a shared emotional experience. Many fans say they found comfort in Eleven’s isolation, or in the loyalty of the core group. The show’s success proved that young audiences crave authentic, character-driven stories over flashy effects—and it paved the way for other Netflix hits like Outer Range and Wednesday.
Will there be a Stranger Things spinoff?
Netflix has not announced any official spinoffs, though rumors persist about potential projects centered on Nancy Wheeler or the Hawkins Lab. The Duffers have said Season 5 is the definitive ending for the core story. However, with PCMA Productions now active, Millie Bobby Brown could be involved in future projects set in the same universe—but as a producer, not a performer. For now, Hawkins closes its doors.