An actress from the hit Netflix series Stranger Things has opened up about her unexpected absence from the show's fifth and final season, linking it to her real-life health struggles.
"Where Was She?": A Mother's Mysterious Absence
As fans binge-watched the long-awaited Stranger Things finale on New Year's Day 2026, one familiar face was conspicuously missing. Jennifer Marshall, who portrayed Susan Hargrove, the mother of Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), in seasons two and four, did not return for the concluding episodes.
This narrative gap was particularly glaring as Max spent much of the season unconscious in hospital, with her boyfriend Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) constantly at her bedside, while her mother was nowhere to be seen. Marshall herself highlighted the plot hole in a playful post on Instagram as the season dropped, asking fans: "Okay folks! It’s over…but where was she?"
The Real-Life Health Battle Behind the Scenes
The reason for her absence, however, was far from a simple creative decision. In a subsequent social media post that captured widespread attention, Marshall addressed the situation more directly. The actress, who had publicly revealed a Stage 3 melanoma diagnosis in 2022, pointed out that while she was undergoing treatment during the filming of season four, she was in remission when season five was shot.
"I had cancer, I get it. But I was in remission during the shooting of season five," Marshall shared. She added a poignant practical note, stating that participating in the shoot would have assisted her in securing health insurance through the actors' union.
Marshall had previously described the support she received from co-star Sadie Sink during her treatment for season four, a period when she began wearing a wig due to hair loss. "Her kindness and compassion overwhelmed me," she said of Sink.
Clarifying Intentions and Expressing Gratitude
Following a significant reaction from fans to her posts, Marshall clarified her stance in an interview with Variety. She insisted her initial social media activity was intended as a light-hearted joke and that she harboured no ill will towards the show's producers.
"I just made the reel as a funny thing and it blew up," Marshall explained. "I hold no ill will toward anyone and just wish things would have gone a different way. I was surprised to not be called back but cannot confirm why that decision was made."
She concluded by expressing gratitude for her time on the globally popular series, stating: "Regardless, I am grateful for the opportunity to be in the previous seasons." The final season of Stranger Things is now available for streaming worldwide on Netflix.
