An actress from the hit Netflix series Stranger Things has publicly questioned why her character was written out of the show's climactic fifth season, revealing that the lost role would have provided crucial financial support during her fight against cancer.
An Absence Felt On and Off Screen
Jennifer Marshall, the military veteran who portrayed Susan Hargrove, the mother of Sadie Sink's character Max Mayfield, took to Instagram this week to express her confusion and disappointment. She posted a video on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, directly addressing her character's notable absence from the recently released final episodes.
Marshall, who is currently in remission, explained the significant practical impact of not being included. "I had cancer, I get it," she said in the clip. "But I was in remission during the shooting of season five. Shooting would have helped me obtain my health insurance through the union." This union insurance would have been a vital resource amid her ongoing health battle.
A Battle Fought Behind the Scenes
The actress's health struggle began years earlier. She first announced a diagnosis of stage 3 cancer in a 2022 Facebook post, after an initial stage 1 foot cancer spread to her lymph nodes. Despite this, she managed to complete her filming commitments for Stranger Things season four while undergoing treatment.
In her social media posts, Marshall pointed out the narrative oddity of Susan Hargrove's disappearance. Unlike other parents in the show's universe, Susan was nowhere to be seen during pivotal moments for her daughter in season five, including Max's hospitalisation and high school graduation. "How often I think about where TF Max's mom was during season five lmao. Every day," she wrote on the video.
Fan Theories and Cast Speculation
Marshall had previously hinted at her puzzlement when the finale aired on New Year's Day, asking fans for their theories on Susan's whereabouts. She humorously acknowledged her character's unpopularity, tagging her video "#cancersucks #butwhy" and agreeing with a fan comment that "Susan Hargrove is THE WORST MOTHER EVER LMAO." She also suggested the show might have simply had "too many characters" to juggle.
Even her on-screen daughter has pondered the mystery. Sadie Sink offered her own theory to Vulture, suggesting Max's mum "must have disappeared or died at some point in the rift at the end of season 4." This fan speculation comes amid broader discussion about the finale, with some viewers feeling it was rushed and left questions unanswered, leading to theories about a potential secret ninth episode.
The situation highlights the often unseen challenges actors face when serious illness intersects with the unpredictable nature of television work. While celebrating being in remission, Jennifer Marshall's experience underscores the importance of health and financial security in the entertainment industry.
