Millie Bobby Brown made a guest appearance in the ABC sitcom Modern Family in 2015, a role that many fans are only now discovering. The 22-year-old actress, best known for playing Eleven in Stranger Things, portrayed Lizzie in the episode Closet? You'll Love It! (Season 6, Episode 17), which aired in March 2015.
Early Career and Relocation
Born in Spain in 2004, Brown's family moved frequently before settling in Orlando, Florida, when she was eight. During her time in the United States, she secured guest roles in shows like Intruders, NCIS, and Grey's Anatomy. However, the work was not enough to keep her family in the US, and they eventually returned to England. Modern Family was her fourth television role.
The Episode and Role
In Closet? You'll Love It!, the plot follows Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell), Luke Dunphy (Nolan Gould), and Manny Delgado (Rico Rodriguez) as they try to destroy a drone that had been filming Gloria (Sofía Vergara) in her swimsuit. Their efforts lead to an embarrassing video of Phil being uploaded to YouTube and going viral. Brown's character, Lizzie, loans her pink sparkly bicycle to Manny so he can chase the drone operator.
Fan Reactions
Viewers flocked to Reddit in astonishment, having been unaware that the young girl in the episode would later become a global star. One fan commented: "Refuse to believe that was her," while another joked they were "today years old" when they discovered this. A further viewer exclaimed: "OMG HOW DID I MISS IT!"
Brown's Reflections on Early Roles
In an interview with Vogue, Brown revealed that minor appearances like her Modern Family cameo sustained her during challenging times. "I don't think I realised how much rejection was waiting for me," she explained, recalling how a casting director dismissed her prospects, claiming she was "too mature" for the screen.
Where to Watch
Modern Family airs on E4 in the UK from 3pm. Brown's latest project, Enola Holmes 3, is now streaming on Netflix.
