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Netflix has made known a new behind-the-scenes video dubbed ‘Stranger Things’ which includes Maya Hawke talking about the amazing and very deep friendship between her character, Robin, and Noah Schnapp’s Will Byers, in the last season of the series. This heartbreaking revelation comes at a time when a considerable fraction of the audience is still requesting the release of the supposedly cut scenes from the last episodes.
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The clip reckoned with Maya Hawke whose evaluating perspective shows the chemistry between the two characters. She has talked about her encapsulation with Noah Schnapp as ‘indescribably wonderful and happening-out-of-nowhere’. Hawke admits that she was against the story twist, worried that her character would lose its value since it was too much connected to her established alliances. She quotes saying ‘I keep telling them I am a new character meaning I am the new kid and you cannot cut me off from my old friends’. The viewpoint was not at all similar before the scenes when they were with Schnapp. She calls the plot ‘brilliant’ and it was the characters’ connection that hit her so badly.
Hawke portrays the character of Robin as a sort of guide to Will, someone who is ‘helping him to start listening to himself’ and to be at ease with his identity. She then links this directly to her own experience of being cut off socially. ‘I truly believe that life can sometimes be such a solitary place. I was so lonely at school and a little later on,’ is how Hawke puts it, sounding very honest. ‘This connection between Robin and Will is in fact about making it known to people that if you pay a little more attention in a room, there will always be someone who is there to comprehend you.’ She develops it with a very thoughtful and philosophical one-liner on self-acceptance, a message that is very much related to Will’s survival and character growth: ‘I was looking for answers in another when in fact I was the one already having all the answers. I just have to hurt and be damn scared of God.’
The video clip which was meant to highlight a touching character trait ended up receiving a huge spin-off of feedback from the audience who were all-cliented and furious about the demand. The hashtag #netflixreleasethevolume2files inundated the replies which referred to the earlier mentioned reports that a major part of the material was snipped off from the last two episodes of the series. The mood was less about the insights of Hawke, and more about the perceived mishandling of the situation by the company.
‘GIVE US THAT DELETED FUCKING 2 HOURS,’ was the comment from one user, giving voice to the straightforward exasperation of a lot of people. Another comment read ‘the only good thing we got from this whole thing,’ indicating that the behind-the-scenes moment was a poor consolation for a disappointing finale. A more diplomatic but still very incisive reply was, ‘Honestly, if you’re just gonna cut all the crucial details and developments out of a show and then edit it. Then please hand that show over to a different streaming service. You all don’t deserve to host stranger things.’ Such criticism is at the heart of the backlash, charging the streamer with ruining the narrative.
Maya Hawke on Robin and Will's Stranger Things 5 friendship ❤️ pic.twitter.com/yuZZZvZG47
— Netflix (@netflix) December 27, 2025
Amidst the uproar for unseen footage, reactions came which were in stark contrast to the rest. A handful of comments criticized the show for covering LGBTQ+ subculture and their development. ‘FAWK THIS GAY ASS SHIT . THE ENTIRE SHOW WAS CREATED FOR THAT GAY ASS EPISODE TO KIDS BRAINS UP,’ was the opinion of one user, while another suggested Netflix should ‘check statistically how many gay persons are out there per 1000 people? And from there, be more realistic than.’ These comments provide a glimpse into the cultural battles that the series has to fight when it comes to its representation.
On the other hand, some viewers made remarks regarding the looks of the characters, like “Why is she looks so ugly 🤢🤮 in new season?” and “They have made her so ugly in the show.” Nevertheless, for each negative comment, there was seemingly a supporter for the storyline declaration made by someone. ‘robin and will bromance in s5 gonna slap,’ was the prediction of a hopeful viewer, cutting through the noise and recognizing the possible bond that Hawke was speaking of.
However, the overwhelming response still signifies a conscious request for honesty. Comments like ‘we gotta see all the cut scenes do something’ and ‘Just give us the full Vol 2💔’ are indicative of a fanbase that feels exploited after a long-time commitment. The comment in Portuguese, when translated, reads: ‘You guys are ridiculous. Just release the cut scenes already to make the situation a little bit less worse.’ This global reverberation highlights the universal nature of the discontent.
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Maya Hawke’s passionate interpretation of Robin and her work extends beyond acting, as seen in her debut album anniversary celebration. Co-star Millie Bobby Brown also shares glimpses of her life outside the show. The series remains a cultural touchstone, with fans like Jimmy Fallon celebrating with themed marathons. Hawke’s style is also notable, highlighted by her role in the Prada holiday campaign.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
