The final episode of the global phenomenon Stranger Things is set to premiere on Netflix on New Year's Eve, with projections indicating it will become the streaming service's most-watched series ever. This two-hour finale, which will also see a cinematic release, draws the curtain on a show that catapulted Netflix into a Hollywood powerhouse and launched its young star, Millie Bobby Brown, to international fame.
From Global Stardom to Georgian Farm Life
Millie Bobby Brown, who was just 11 years old when she first portrayed the telekinetic Eleven, has grown up on screen. The series concludes with her as a married mother and the head of a business empire valued at approximately £40 million. However, rather than marking the end with a lavish celebrity party, the 21-year-old actress plans a quiet reflection on her sprawling farm in rural Georgia, surrounded by a menagerie of rescue animals.
This retreat from the Hollywood spotlight is a deliberate choice. Insiders suggest that growing up under intense public scrutiny, amplified by social media, has led her to seek a calmer, more private existence. 'She's been in the spotlight pretty much half her life. She's been her family's main breadwinner since she was 11. She's been dissected online,' a source close to Millie explained. 'Who can blame her for wanting to stay away from all that?'
Navigating Fame and Family
Millie's life now centres on her husband, Jake Bongiovi, 23, and their baby daughter, adopted in August 2024. The family is fiercely protective of their privacy, having not yet publicly revealed their daughter's name. Millie has stated she will keep it private 'until she's ready to decide for herself.'
Professionally, the journey has not been without turbulence. During the filming of the final season, it was reported that Millie filed a formal complaint of 'bullying and harassment' against her co-star David Harbour, who plays her on-screen adoptive father, Jim Hopper. Neither Harbour, Netflix, nor Brown have denied the report, and Millie insisted on having a personal representative on set. Despite this, both actors presented a united front during the global press tour for the final season.
Her business ventures, including the skincare and fashion brand Florence by Mills, continue to thrive, promoted to her 68 million Instagram followers. Yet, her focus has shifted. 'Millie is leading exactly the life she wants, on her farm in muddy boots, surrounded by rescue dogs and goats. She's never been happier,' a friend revealed.
A Childhood Forged in the Public Eye
Millie's path to stardom was driven by her own determination. At age eight, she persuaded her parents to move from Florida to Hollywood. After initial struggles and a temporary return to the UK, her big break came with the audition for Netflix's then-unknown project, Stranger Things. The show's success was foundational for Netflix, proving its capacity for hit original content and making Millie a household name.
She has since starred in other Netflix franchises like Enola Holmes and The Electric State, commanding fees in the millions. However, the constant online criticism, including scrutiny over her appearance and relationships, has taken its toll. She has openly addressed the toxicity, once telling critics on social media to 'get off my f***ing case.'
Now, on her farm in Georgia—where she also runs an animal rescue charity—she is taking classes to become a veterinary technician. 'This is the calm after the storm,' a friend said. While she is working on a new musical project for next year, her priority is family. Stranger Things may have ended, but for Millie Bobby Brown, a new, self-directed chapter is just beginning.
