'Stranger Things' Star Millie Bobby Brown Abandons Franchise, Despite $3 Million Payday

The Stranger Things journey has been nothing short of transformative for Millie Bobby Brown.

Cast as Eleven at the age of twelve, Brown quickly became the show’s breakout star, earning critical acclaim and a massive fan following.

Her portrayal of the enigmatic, telekinetic girl was both haunting and compelling, making her one of the most recognizable faces in television today. Over the years, Brown’s salary for the series increased significantly, reportedly earning $350,000 per episode by the third season. This substantial income reflects her pivotal role in the show’s success and the high demand for her talent.

Stranger Things not only brought Millie Bobby Brown financial success but also catapulted her into international stardom. She received numerous award nominations, including two Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

The show itself has been a cultural touchstone, known for its nostalgic 80s references, thrilling plotlines, and strong character development. Brown’s character, Eleven, is central to the series’ narrative, with her journey from a mysterious lab experiment to a brave, empowered teenager resonating deeply with audiences.

Despite the massive success and fan adoration, Brown has expressed a readiness to move on from Stranger Things. In a recent interview, she mentioned, “I’m definitely ready to wrap up. I feel like there’s a lot of the story that’s been told now, and we know it, it’s been in our lives for a very long time.”

Transitioning from Stranger Things, Brown’s decision to step away from the Godzilla franchise also raised eyebrows. She starred in Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), playing Madison Russell.

Her performances were well-received, contributing to the films’ box office success. However, when it was announced she wouldn’t be returning for the sequel, fans speculated about the reasons behind her departure. According to Screen Rant, Brown chose not to reprise her role to focus on other projects.

“The reason why Millie Bobby Brown did not return as Madison in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is due to the direction in which the story went,” ScreeRant shared. “Madison played a central role in the prior two Monsterverse movies because she was primarily linked to Godzilla. Godzilla: King of the Monsters revolved around the giant lizard, while Godzilla vs. Kong had a much bigger role for him to play. Once it became clear that Godzilla x Kong would be more focused on Kong, it was not as necessary for Madison to appear.”

Beyond her acting career, Brown has shown a keen interest in entrepreneurship. In 2019, she launched her own beauty line, Florence by Mills, aimed at providing clean, affordable skincare and makeup products for young people. The brand has grown rapidly, reflecting her savvy business acumen and understanding of her audience.

Recently, she expanded her brand to include a clothing line, further cementing her status as a multi-talented young entrepreneur.

Her personal life has also been in the spotlight, especially her relationship and recent marriage to Jake Bongiovi, the son of legendary musician Jon Bon Jovi. Their wedding, a much-talked-about event, showcased Brown’s transition into adulthood and her ability to gracefully balance her personal and professional life.

Looking forward, Brown’s upcoming projects are eagerly anticipated. One such project—which was released this year—is the Netflix film Damsel, in which she stars alongside Angela Bassett. This film is part of her continued collaboration with Netflix, a platform that has played a significant role in her career.

Outside of that film, Millie Bobby Brown is set to star alongside Chris Pratt in The Electric State (2024), a Sci-Fi/Adventure film that is set to be released by Netflix later this year.

Of course, Brown will be on the set of Stranger Things with her old co-stars one more time for the majority of this year.

Stranger Things Season 5 — which sees all the major characters returning, including Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Will (Noah Schnapp), Max (Sadie Sink), Steve (Joe Keery), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Robin (Maya Hawke), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), Jim (David Harbour), and Joyce (Winona Ryder) — will wrap filming late this year.

There have been rumors it may actually be 2026 before the final season is released on Netflix, but the company has remained quiet about its status currently.