Caleb McLaughlin addresses fan questions about Eleven’s fate

Caleb McLaughlin suggests Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven may have died in Stranger Things finale, sparking debate

Caleb McLaughlin, known for playing Lucas Sinclair on Stranger Things, has seemingly addressed the fate of Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven following the series’ fifth season finale.

During a recent appearance on The View, McLaughlin said, “I think she’s… gone,” adding, “I think rest in peace, Eleven,” fueling fan speculation about the character’s ultimate outcome.

Eleven, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, was central to the Duffer Brothers’ hit Netflix series. In the Season 5 finale, The Rightside Up, Eleven appeared to sacrifice herself to stop the clandestine research targeting individuals like her and Jamie Campbell Bower’s Henry Creel, also known as Vecna. While fans and co-stars, including Finn Wolfhard’s Mike Wheeler, have suggested alternative outcomes, McLaughlin’s comments indicate a tragic conclusion for the character.

The debate about Eleven’s fate also followed McLaughlin to the set of his upcoming animated comedy Goat, where co-star Gabrielle Union asked about the character. Despite the speculation, showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer have stated the ending remains intentionally ambiguous. Matt Duffer explained that revealing Eleven’s true fate could reduce the emotional impact, while Ross confirmed that Millie Bobby Brown knows the answer but will not reveal it.

Fans of the series will still see Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, and other original cast members in the animated spin-off Stranger Things: Tales from ’85. The series is set between Seasons 2 and 3, with Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voicing Eleven, Luca Diaz as Mike, and other familiar characters returning. It is expected to premiere later in 2026.

Stranger Things is currently available for streaming on Netflix, with spin-off projects allowing fans to revisit Hawkins and the iconic characters played by Brown, McLaughlin, Wolfhard, and more.