Stranger Things star reveals how being omitted from show's final season affected her cancer battle
Actress Jennifer Marshall has clarified earlier comments she made about how she was written off of the final season of the Netflix smash hit series Stranger Things - and how it impacted her battle with cancer.Marshall, 44, played the role of Max's mom Susan Hargrove over six episodes of the second and fourth seasons of the series.Marshall said her omission from the show's fifth and last season left her without SAG-AFTRA's health insurance program amid her health battle.Marshall explained to her Instagram followers this week that she was healthy enough to play the role at the time the last season, which wrapped up on the streaming service last month, was filmed.'I had cancer, I get it,' Marshall said. 'But I was in remission during the shooting of season five. Shooting would have helped me obtain my health insurance through the union.Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Netflix and the show's creators Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer for further comment on the story. Actress Jennifer Marshall, 44, has clarified earlier comments she made about how she was written off of the final season of the Netflix smash hit series Stranger Things- and how it impacted her battle with cancer Marshall referenced the show's storyline - as her storyline daughter Max Mayfield (played by Sadie Sink) was one of the graduates of the show's Hawkins High School.'Maybe they had too many characters, idk but obv Susan Hargrove is THE WORST MOTHER EVER LMAO,' she said. The Susan Hargrove character was last seen in the show's fourth season residing in a trailer park and battling alcoholism. Marshall initially went public with her cancer battle in October 2022.She posted to Facebook that she had been diagnosed with stage three cancer, following a battle with stage one cancer in her foot.Marshall said on the social media site that people from the series 'were so understanding and supportive.'Marshall told Daily Mail Thursday of her goals for the new year: 'For 2026, I would just like to remain cancer-free and continue to advocate for those touched by this terrible disease.' She said on social media that Sadie Sink, 23, had displayed 'kindness and compassion' with her and the show's creators Ross and Matt Duffer 'offered their well wishes and urged me to contact them if I needed anything.' Marshall said her omission from the show's fifth and last season left her without SAG-AFTRA's health insurance program amid her health battle Marshall referenced the show's storyline - as her storyline daughter Max Mayfield (played by Sadie Sink) was one of the graduates of the show's Hawkins High SchoolShe described the brothers as 'such lovely people I'm thrilled to know and have worked under.'Marshall, who served in the U.S. Navy, also posted a video in which she mused about the potential fate of her character 'every day - not all day, every day but every day.'Marshall told People in a statement on Wednesday that appearing on the show marked 'the opportunity of a lifetime.'Marshall said that she was not clear why her character was not featured in the show's last season, she 'would have been ecstatic to return.'She added, '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.'As the story circulated, Stranger Things fans took to social media to react to the way the events unfolded both for Marshall in her health battle, as well as the continuity of the show. Marshall referenced the show's storyline - as her storyline daughter Max Mayfield (played by Sadie Sink) was one of the graduates of the show's Hawkins High School in season five Marshall past said Sink had displayed 'kindness and compassion' with her after learning of her health issues Marshall said that she was not clear why her character was not featured in the show's last season, she 'would have been ecstatic to return' As the story circulated, Stranger Things fans took to social media to react to the way the events unfolded'Max’s mom deserved better,' one commenter said. 'Jennifer Marshall was in remission and ready to film—bringing her back would’ve secured her health insurance.'Huge missed opportunity by the production to support an actor and close a glaring plot hole.'Another remarked, 'Umm, um um. You know if stars can't get health insurance we have a serious problem in America.... It's crazy.'Said one fan, 'Actors get cut all the time, not a conspiracy.' Netflix is set to begin airing One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 Monday.
