Why Jennifer Marshall Was Missing from Stranger Things Season 5: Fans Ask the Question

Actor Jennifer Marshall, known for her role as Susan Hargrove, Max Mayfield’s (Sadie Sink) mother, did not return for the final season of Stranger Things. Now, she’s engaging with the fandom to speculate on her absence in the show’s concluding chapter.

The End of an Era for Stranger Things

Season 5 marked the finale of the beloved series that debuted on Netflix in 2016. Over nearly a decade, Stranger Things grew to become a flagship series for the platform and one of its most-watched titles. The last episode aired on New Year’s Eve to mixed reviews, prompting some fans to theorize that the finale might be a false ending, with a secret episode possibly arriving later—though that never materialized.

The Conformity Gate Theory and Fans’ Expectations

Among fan theories was the "Conformity Gate," suggesting that Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) faked a happy ending to deceive the Hawkins gang and viewers. Fans eagerly anticipated a hidden secret episode, but disappointment set in when no additional content appeared.

Jennifer Marshall Voices Her Disappointment

Shortly after the finale, Jennifer Marshall took to Instagram to express her own dissatisfaction about her absence. On January 1, she jokingly questioned the whereabouts of Susan Hargrove during Max’s hospitalization, asking fans to share their theories:

"Okay folks! It’s over… but where was she? What kind of mother isn’t there for her child while she’s in the hospital? Give me all your theories…"

Fans chimed in, criticizing Netflix and the Duffer Brothers for not including her character in the final season. Some speculated that her absence was due to her character’s backstory—she was portrayed as an alcoholic in earlier seasons, which could explain her absence, with a fan comment noting:

“She was an alcoholic and knew her daughter was in a coma. Alcoholics, from my experience, don’t do difficult things like visiting loved ones in hospitals or doing the difficult emotional things, and if they do, they always show up drunk. Not their fault, their brains don’t regulate correctly.”

Others theorized that Vecna might have off-screen killed Susan to isolate Max or that the government silenced her to keep her quiet.

A Personal Reason: Health and Benefits

Jennifer Marshall revealed a more personal motivation for her absence. She had battled cancer and was in remission during filming but wanted to be part of the final season to secure health insurance through the Screen Actors Guild. On January 7, she shared:

"I had cancer, I get it. But I was in remission during the shooting of Season 5. Shooting would have helped me obtain my health insurance through the union. Maybe they had too many characters, idk but obv Susan Hargrove is THE WORST MOTHER EVER LMAO."

Later, in an interview with People, she described her role as “the opportunity of a lifetime,” and expressed her confusion about her omission from the final season:

“It would have helped me not only financially, but would have been a mental and emotional uplift after battling cancer for almost two years. Either way, no one is entitled to a role, cancer or not. My heart remains grateful, and I will always give those involved in the decision-making the benefit of the doubt.”

Looking Toward the Future of Stranger Things

For more insights on Stranger Things Season 5, readers can explore what the Duffer Brothers said about the possibility of a sequel, how the finale addressed Netflix’s biggest challenges, and how Baldur’s Gate 3 inspired some of the series’ concluding moments.