As the curtain closes on Netflix's hit series Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp, two of the show's central figures, have shared their reflections on filming their final scenes. The series, which premiered in 2016, has followed the young cast as they've grown up both on and off-screen, making the conclusion of the show a particularly emotional experience for everyone involved.
Millie Bobby Brown, who portrays Eleven, marked the occasion with a simple yet poignant Instagram post featuring a behind-the-scenes photo with the Duffer Brothers, the creators of the show, captioning it "Over and out". Her words encapsulate the end of a significant chapter in her life, as Stranger Things has been a defining role for the actress.
Noah Schnapp, known for his portrayal of Will Byers, also took to Instagram to commemorate the finale. He shared a collection of snapshots, including moments with his fellow cast members, a scene from the graduation episode, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the moment Will's powers were revealed. Schnapp's caption, "The end :)," is a simple but heartfelt farewell to the series and the character he has embodied for nearly a decade.
Schnapp recently revealed that he felt a crucial conversation between his character Will and Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) was missing from the penultimate episode. In the seventh episode of the fifth season, Will comes out as gay to his close friends and family, even hinting at his feelings for Mike. According to Schnapp, after this pivotal moment, more needed to be said between the two life-long best friends. He approached the Duffer brothers, explaining that things felt "unsaid" between Will and Mike. The showrunners were receptive to Schnapp's concerns and added a scene in the finale to address this.
The scene takes place as the group ascends the radio tower to get closer to the Abyss. In the scene, Mike expresses to Will that he was sorry he hadn't been supportive enough and the two confirm that they are still best friends. Schnapp stated that it was "nice to have that trust" with the Duffer brothers, and that the added conversation left things feeling "completely closed and satisfying". He also admitted to being nervous and wondering how the scene would be written, but was moved to tears when he read it, feeling it was perfect.
In a lighter moment during a press tour, Schnapp jokingly "spoiled" a plot point regarding Vecna, prompting Millie Bobby Brown to playfully tell him to "shut up" to prevent any further revelations.
Other cast members have also shared their feelings about the show's conclusion. Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, posted a photo of his phone's lock screen, which features the graduation photo, with the caption "Onward". Caleb McLaughlin, who plays Lucas Sinclair, expressed his gratitude for the fans' support over the years, writing, "Thank you for the immense love and support throughout the years. We love you all," alongside a video with his castmates. Jamie Campbell Bower, who portrayed Vecna, shared a behind-the-scenes photo and wrote, "It's been real. Thank you for everything @strangerthingstv @netflix, the cast, the crew, the fans, You have changed my life. I love you. X".
As Stranger Things concludes, the cast members are moving forward, taking with them the experiences and memories forged during their time in Hawkins. The final episode was released, allowing viewers to witness the fate of Hawkins and the Upside Down.
