Stranger Things star Maya Hawke has disclosed that a fan suffered a substantial financial loss after using cryptic clues she provided to wager on which character would die in the hit Netflix show's finale.
Costly Clues on Late Night TV
The 27-year-old actor, who played the beloved Robin Buckley, shared the unfortunate anecdote during an appearance on The Late Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday 09 January 2026. Hawke explained that a fan had approached her to ask about the fate of the characters in the final season.
"I didn't tell them, but I gave them some obscure hints," Hawke recounted. "And they took my obscure hints and they placed a bet with a lot of money on my hints and they lost it all." A stunned Jimmy Fallon responded by calling it a "tough lesson to learn."
Hawke expressed her dismay at the situation, exclaiming, "This is not how we should be running our economy, predicting random events on television shows!"
The Finale's Fates and a Survivor's Relief
Fallon was quick to note his happiness that Hawke's character, Robin, survived the climactic events of season five. Hawke agreed, stating that it "meant so much" for Robin to play a pivotal role in the two-hour-plus finale.
In the final episodes, Robin provides crucial support to Will Byers, portrayed by Noah Schnapp, as he grapples with his sexuality. This emotional journey is key to helping Will harness his powers to aid Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, in the ultimate defeat of the villain Vecna, actor Jamie Campbell Bower.
Despite rampant fan theories, the major deaths in the finale were those of Eleven herself, her friend Kali, and Vecna. The fate of Eleven, however, was left intentionally ambiguous. After Joyce Byers decapitates Vecna, Eleven appears to sacrifice herself in the Upside Down.
In a later scene, Mike Wheeler, played by Finn Wolfhard, suggests she faked her death and escaped. The audience then sees an older Eleven wandering in a distant location. Co-creator Ross Duffer later told Netflix's Tudum, "She lives on in their hearts, whether that's real or not," emphasising the thematic closure of the characters' journey to adulthood.
A Warning Against Speculative Bets
This incident highlights the unexpected and often risky intersection of entertainment fandom and real-world gambling. Hawke's revelation serves as a stark reminder that actors' offhand comments or playful hints are not a reliable basis for financial speculation.
The story, shared from New York, underscores the intense global speculation that surrounded the conclusion of one of Netflix's most successful series. While fans passionately debated outcomes, this particular individual learned the hard way that even hints from a star are no guarantee of a winning bet.
