Millie Bobby Brown's life transformed when she secured the role of Eleven in Netflix's supernatural horror series Stranger Things, but as the acclaimed actress marks her 22nd birthday today, many admirers are only now realising this iconic part was not her initial venture into acting.
The Early Beginnings of a Star
The inaugural season of Stranger Things premiered a full decade ago in 2016, featuring a twelve-year-old Millie Bobby Brown. While the series propelled her and fellow young cast members to global superstardom, her professional journey commenced much earlier. In reality, Millie's acting career launched three years prior in 2013 when she was merely nine years old.
First On-Screen Appearance
Her debut performance occurred in the ABC fantasy drama Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, a spin-off of the popular Once Upon a Time series. Millie portrayed a youthful version of the central character Alice across two episodes, marking her official entry into the entertainment industry.
Subsequent Roles Before Fame
Following this initial opportunity, she secured a principal role as Madison O'Donnell in the BBC America series Intruders. Additionally, Millie undertook guest appearances in renowned television programmes including NCIS, Modern Family, and Grey's Anatomy, gradually building her portfolio before her breakthrough.
The Path to Stardom
Three years after her acting debut, Millie auditioned for and won the part of Eleven in Stranger Things, a role she would embody for nearly a decade until the show concluded in late 2025. This character catapulted her into international fame, yet her early work remained relatively obscure to many viewers.
Fan Reactions and Rediscovery
A Reddit post shared on the Alice in Wonderland forum in 2025 highlighted screenshots of Millie as young Alice, sparking widespread surprise among commenters. One individual remarked, "I watched that show and didn't recognise that it was her! She looks so young!" Another added, "I started [the show] yesterday and was like, 'Is that Eleven?'. Then she spoke, and yep, 100 per cent."
Overcoming Early Setbacks
Despite her early start, Millie nearly abandoned her Hollywood aspirations before attaining the role that defined her career. In a 2022 interview, she disclosed a "disastrous audition" at age ten, where a powerful casting director reduced her to tears by declaring she "wasn't going to make it in the industry." This harsh criticism almost led her to pursue an alternative career path.
Parental Encouragement and Final Audition
Her parents persuaded her to attempt one last audition before relinquishing her acting ambitions. Millie recalled, "My parents told me, 'Just do this one last audition on tape, and then you can go outside and play with your friends again.' So I said, 'Okay, yeah, I should do this one because it looks cool.'" This final attempt proved successful, landing her the role of Eleven and altering her destiny forever.
Current Projects and Future Endeavours
Now, ten years after the first season of Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown's career continues to flourish with no indications of deceleration. She is scheduled to appear in Enola Holmes 3 later this year, reprising her role as the titular younger sister of Sherlock Holmes. Furthermore, she is set to star in and executive produce the upcoming Netflix series Prism, demonstrating her expanding influence both in front of and behind the camera.
