millie ross matt© Photo: Rex

Stranger Things creator Matt Duffer defends show following Millie Bobby Brown criticism

Spoilers for season four part two ahead!

TV and film writer
July 5, 2022

Stranger Things creator Matt Duffer has defended the show after receiving criticism from its star Millie Bobby Brown.

MORE: Stranger Things: who dies in season four volume two? Find out here

The actress, who plays Eleven in the hit Netflix series, criticised the writers for failing to kill off some of the show's main characters. 

WATCH: Did you enjoy season four part two? 

In an interview with TheWrap back in May, she said: "It's way too big. Last night, we couldn't even take one group picture because there was like 50 of us. I was like, 'You need to start killing people off.'

"The Duffer brothers are two sensitive Sallies that don't want to kill anyone off. We need to be Game of Thrones. We need to have the mindset of Game of Thrones.

"They tried killing David [Harbour] off and they brought him back. It's ridiculous," she added. 

MORE: Stranger Things fans have major complaint as season four volume two lands on Netflix

MORE: 7 questions we have after watching Stranger Things season four volume 2 trailer

When the brothers were asked about Millie's comments in the latest edition of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Matt responded: "I've heard."

© Photo: Netflix

Millie plays Eleven on the show

"What did Millie call us? She said we were 'sensitive Sallies'. She's hilarious."

Defending the writers' decision to keep the show's main characters alive, Matt said: "Believe us, we've explored all options in the writing room. The problem is - Just as a complete hypothetical, if you kill Mike, it's depressing... we aren't Game of Thrones. This is Hawkins, it's not Westeros. The show becomes not Stranger Things anymore, because you do have to treat it realistically, right?"

He continued: "So even when Barb dies, there's two seasons worth of grappling with that, so imagine Mike dying - is that something we’re interested in exploring or not interested in exploring? Eddie's death is going to have huge repercussions in season five… Every death has an impact."

© Photo: Netflix

Eddie died in the latest instalment of the hit sci-fi drama

He went on to tease that "more deaths" are on the table in season five, before adding: "This is me basically defending myself against these Millie Bobby Brown accusations and explaining that there are lives behind it, and it’s nothing to do with my sensitivity. 

"So there you go Millie."

Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more