> At a Glance
> – Jennifer Marshall, who plays Max’s mom Susan Hargrove, was absent from the Stranger Things finale despite her daughter being in a coma
> – Marshall says the missing role cost her union health insurance during cancer remission
> – She filmed a bedside scene in season 4 that never made the cut
> – Why it matters: Union acting jobs provide critical health coverage, especially for performers managing serious illness
Jennifer Marshall wants fans to know she didn’t ghost Hawkins. The actress behind Max’s mom is explaining why Susan Hargrove vanished in the Netflix hit’s last season.
The Vanishing Mom
Marshall, 44, took to Instagram after the Dec. 31 finale to ask viewers where her character was while Max lay hospitalized. “What kind of mother isn’t there for her child?” she wrote, inviting fan theories.
She stressed the choice wasn’t hers and that a season 5 paycheck would have restored the union insurance she desperately needed after stage-three melanoma treatment.
A Lost Season 4 Scene
Adding to the confusion, Marshall revealed she actually shot footage at Max’s bedside-only to learn it was leftover from the prior season.
- The brief moment was filmed during season 4 production
- It never evolved into a full scene
- Editors inserted the clip, making viewers think Susan had appeared
Grateful Yet Uncertain
Despite the setback, Marshall’s statement to News Of Los Angeles radiated appreciation:
> “Portraying Max’s mom was the opportunity of a lifetime. My heart remains grateful.”
She praised castmates and the Duffer brothers for support during her 2021 diagnosis, noting their offer to help at any time.
| Appearances | Season 2 | Season 4 | Season 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Hargrove | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Max Mayfield | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Key Takeaways
- Union screen time equals health coverage for working actors
- Cancer remission doesn’t guarantee employment or benefits
- Fans noticed Susan’s absence more than other sidelined parents
- Marshall holds no public ill will toward the show’s creators
With Stranger Things now streaming its complete run, viewers finally have answers-except for one lingering question only the Duffers can solve.
