Credit: NetflixStranger Things has ended – the live-action flagship series, at least. The Netflix sci-fi mystery horror became an overnight success when it premiered on the streamer in 2016, introducing Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), and Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) to audiences.
Across its five seasons, we watched as these characters grew into young adults while fending off otherworldly threats from the Upside Down. Their journeys culminated in Season 5, when they were forced to take the fight to the shadow dimension itself and face Vecna/Henry Creel/One (Jamie Campbell Bower). But sadly, as is the case with many finales, it wasn’t without casualties.
Despite the divisive finale receiving mixed reviews from viewers, the ending neatly wraps up several character arcs. But after finally defeating Vecna, telekinetic teen Eleven was seemingly killed while sealing the gateway into the Upside Down.
However, during the epilogue, Mike puts forward a theory that suggests Eleven is still alive.
He also believes Eleven could now be living off the grid, and that he likes to imagine that she’s living in a place where there are “three waterfalls,” a place he promised to take her after they defeated Vecna so she could be free from shady government agencies once and for all.
Then, we cut to Eleven, who’s hiking in such a place. While the scene itself doesn’t prove that she’s actually alive – as it’s seemingly used only to demonstrate Mike’s theory – there are clues throughout the episode and the entire show that point towards Eleven having actually survived.
Related: Netflix Confirms 13 Original ‘Stranger Things’ Actors Are Returning in Brand-New Project
Still, that may be the last time we ever see Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven. But never say never.
Not only have the Duffer brothers themselves been unable to rule out a possible return several years down the line, but there have been rumors surrounding Brown and Finn Wolfhard appearing in a spinoff project. But Netflix has not confirmed anything.
While there are plenty of Stranger Things projects in development, Brown is not involved with any of them. Matt and Ross Duffer have confirmed that a live-action spinoff that will center on the briefcase rock seen in Season 5 will have “no common characters” with the flagship series.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the acclaimed stage production, has been filmed for a future release on Netflix, but, of course, Brown does not appear in the play (although Eleven herself does make a brief appearance). The First Shadow is now also getting a comic book adaptation.
Eleven Officially Returns to Stranger Things
With all that said, Eleven did return shortly after Season 5 ended, in Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, the spinoff series that premiered on Netflix earlier this year. But she wasn’t voiced by Brown — Brooklyn Davey Norstedt brought the character to life for the first time in animation.
Set between seasons 2 and 3 of the main series, Tales From ’85 Season 1 brought back all the main characters (except Joyce Byers) with an entirely new voice cast. And now, Season 2 is about to premiere, and the same cast, including Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, has returned.
Watch the official trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Season 2 below:
While Brown does not return as Eleven in the animated series, she originated the role in live action. And as the series takes place between seasons 2 and 3, Eleven is canonically the same one.
Tales From ’85 Season 2 stars Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield, Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler, Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas Sinclair, Ben Plessala as Will Byers, Odessa A’zion as Nikki Baxter, Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper, Jeremy Jordan as Steve Harrington, and Alessandra Antonelli as Nancy Wheeler.
It premieres on Netflix on September 17.
Tales From ’85 Season 1 is now streaming. Stranger Things seasons 1–5 are also available to watch.
Have you watched Tales From ’85 yet? Are you excited for another season? Let us know in the comments below!
