Stranger Things Actress Jennifer Marshall Speaks Out on Cancer Battle

Jennifer Marshall, known for playing Max's mother Susan in Stranger Things, has revealed details regarding her absence from the show's final season. The actress and former military veteran publicly announced in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer that spread to her lymph nodes.

By the time production began on the fifth and final season, Marshall stated that she was in remission. She noted that returning to the set would have been beneficial for securing health insurance through the union and providing emotional support. Although her character did not return, Marshall remains grateful and has given the decision-makers the benefit of the doubt.

Jennifer Marshall appeared in a recurring role during the second season of the popular Netflix series, where Sadie Sink was introduced as Max. Marshall returned for the series' fourth run but was unable to complete filming due to her health issues.

The actress publicly shared her diagnosis in 2022. At the time, she was battling stage 3 cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. Her role as Susan Hargrove was a significant part of the show's early narrative, establishing the backstory for the character Max.

Marshall explained that filming scenes for the final season would have provided necessary financial assistance. Specifically, working would have helped her obtain health insurance through the union. This coverage is vital for actors managing significant medical expenses.

Beyond the financial aspect, Marshall shared that working would have served as a mental and emotional uplift after battling cancer for nearly two years. She expressed that the return to work would have been a positive step in her recovery process.

During the filming of season five, Max was depicted as being in the hospital, a plot point that Marshall felt could have naturally included her mother, Susan. Other actors playing parents of the main cast made guest appearances during the season. However, Susan Hargrove did not return.

Marshall expressed uncertainty regarding the specific reasons for her exclusion, suggesting there may have been too many characters to manage. She jokingly referred to her character as "THE WORST MOTHER EVER" while acknowledging that no one is entitled to a role, regardless of personal circumstances. She maintains gratitude for her time on the show.

There has been significant fan speculation regarding a potential secret final episode of Stranger Things, often referred to as the "Conformity Gate" theory. This theory suggested that additional content might be released to satisfy unhappy viewers. However, Netflix recently released a trailer for unrelated shows rather than Stranger Things content, dampening these hopes.

The official Stranger Things social media account confirmed that "all" episodes of the show are currently streaming. This statement appears to officially settle the matter, indicating that no further episodes are planned or hidden from the public release.