By Nicolas Ayala
There are few on-screen trajectories as iconic—and emotionally resonant—as Millie Bobby Brown’s portrayal of Eleven in Stranger Things. Now, with the series hurtling toward its climactic final season and the Netflix juggernaut’s lore expanding onto Broadway with The First Shadow, Millie’s real-life journey is capturing hearts just as fiercely as her supernatural battles in Hawkins. And no one understands that journey better than Matthew Modine, the veteran actor who not only shared the screen with her but recently officiated her wedding.
From Hawkins Lab to the altar: How Matthew Modine became Millie’s real-life ‘Papa’
Modine’s relationship with Millie Bobby Brown is the kind of bond that transcends fiction. Having played the complex and morally ambiguous Dr. Martin Brenner in seasons one and four, Modine first met Millie when she was just 11 years old. Speaking to People at the Stranger Things: The First Shadow Broadway premiere, Modine reminisced about that first day on set—an encounter that instantly revealed Millie’s star potential.
“She was just so magical and professional and mature and a child,” Modine said. “You know that thing they always say, ‘She’s got it’? When she was 11 years old, I went, ‘Wow, this little girl’s got it.’”
That “it” wasn’t just acting chops. It was presence. It was aura. And it was the kind of energy that would carry Millie not only through eight years of one of the biggest shows in the world but into an entire career beyond Eleven.
Modine’s admiration for Millie isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal. So personal, in fact, that he stood at the altar with her earlier this year, officiating her wedding to Jake Bongiovi. In a moment as sweet as it was symbolic, the man who once played her captor now played the role of uniting her in matrimony. And he even joked in an Instagram comment, poking fun at his own age as he shared a photo from the ceremony.
More than a co-star: How ‘Stranger Things’ forged a lifelong friendship
“It begins and ends with Millie,” Modine said during an Epic Cons panel last October. Reflecting on his best memories from the set, he emphasized not only her talent but her humanity. “I fell in love with that innocent 11-year-old child… She is so focused, so determined, so intelligent. It is a friendship I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
That kind of sentiment is rare in Hollywood, especially in genre TV where the pace often outstrips relationship-building. But Millie’s impact—both as Eleven and as herself—has clearly left an indelible mark on those she’s worked with. Modine’s presence at her wedding wasn’t just a gesture; it was a testament to a bond forged in the fires of storytelling and time.
Eleven’s evolution mirrors Millie’s unstoppable growth as an artist and icon
What makes Millie Bobby Brown’s story even more compelling is how closely it mirrors Eleven’s own evolution. From a silent, cage-held girl with telekinetic powers to a fully realized, emotionally complex hero, Eleven grew up in the spotlight—and so did Millie. Now 21, Millie has navigated fame, fan adoration, and personal growth with a maturity that echoes her character’s journey.
And with Stranger Things heading into its final season later this year, the parallel is striking. As Eleven prepares to say goodbye to Hawkins, Millie is stepping into new chapters of her life—both personally, with her recent marriage, and professionally, with projects like The Electric State and beyond.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow adds a new layer to Millie’s legacy
While Millie doesn’t appear in the Broadway prequel The First Shadow, the stage show's release has reignited interest in her character’s origins. Modine expressed excitement about the play, describing it as “bigger, more frightening” than the series, with plenty of jump scares. Though he joked that the actor playing Brenner in the play didn’t ask him for tips, Modine’s enthusiasm makes one thing clear: the Stranger Things universe—and Millie’s place in it—continues to grow.
And even as the show explores Eleven’s past on screen and stage, fans can’t help but reflect on Millie’s own past—her early days in that little cell, her first lines, her first look of defiant power. It’s a legacy that’s as emotional as it is epic.
Millie Bobby Brown isn’t just a superhero—she’s a generational icon
Millie Bobby Brown’s career is often framed around Eleven, but as Modine’s words and presence at her wedding make clear, she’s long since outgrown that role. She’s not just a character in a supernatural thriller—she’s a force in pop culture, a passionate advocate for animal rescue, and a woman whose gravity pulls even seasoned actors into her orbit.
Her story is one of growth, grit, and grace. From a 11-year-old girl in a cell to a 21-year-old bride with a lifetime of stories behind and ahead of her, Millie Bobby Brown stands as a testament to what it means to have “it”—and to hold onto it, no matter where the world takes you.