The Unexpected Transition from Stranger Things to Music
While Stranger Things had long been Netflix’s most successful franchise, the journey for former star Maya Hawke has taken a different turn. Once known for her role as Robin Buckley in the show, Hawke is now navigating a complete shift into the music industry. The series, which has amassed over 1 billion views across five seasons, has turned Hawkins into a global pop-culture phenomenon. Yet, for Hawke, the experience behind the scenes has been far more complex than what fans might expect.
Feeling Lost After the Show Ended
Maya Hawke recently admitted that the conclusion of Stranger Things left her feeling “lost.” She revealed that for nearly four months before the show ended and almost a year after, she struggled with uncertainty about how to reinvent herself outside of the shadow of the Netflix hit. The actress described feeling “pretty freaked out” because she didn’t know how she would be “reborn” without the show’s influence.
For years, Stranger Things had shaped her schedule, emotional grounding, and creative identity. This transition was more unsettling than she anticipated. As she told the Los Angeles Times, the experience was unlike anything she had faced before.
Rebuilding Her Music Career
With the release of her latest album, Maitreya Corso, Hawke has openly admitted she “hated” her earlier albums. Burnout, internet pressure, and constant public exposure left her disconnected from her own music. Wanting to avoid repeating that cycle, she completely restructured her creative process around honesty rather than spectacle.
Hawke no longer wants to chase pop-star formulas or flashy performances. Instead, she focuses on creating music that she can genuinely perform without hiding behind industry expectations. Her current approach emphasizes authenticity and personal expression.
A Career Beyond the Upside Down
Before her role in Stranger Things, Maya Hawke had already been building a strong presence in Hollywood. As the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, she gradually expanded her career through acting and music projects such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Do Revenge (2022), Wildcat (2023), and Inside Out 2 (2024), where she voiced Anxiety.
Simultaneously, she built an indie-folk music catalogue with albums like Blush (2020), Moss (2022), Chaos Angel (2024), and now Maitreya Corso (2026). Her biggest breakthrough came when she joined Stranger Things in Season 3 as Robin Buckley, evolving into one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.
Expanding Into New Projects
After her time on Stranger Things, Hawke has continued to grow her career by joining the streamer’s upcoming adaptation of The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. This move shows her willingness to explore new creative territories beyond the world of Hawkins.
Hawke’s candid revelations highlight the hidden struggles that even the most successful franchises can leave behind. While fans may only see the surface-level success, the reality for those involved can be much more complicated.
A New Chapter for Maya Hawke
As she continues to redefine her identity beyond the Upside Down, Maya Hawke is proving that she is more than just a character from a popular TV show. Her journey from actor to musician and now to a broader film career showcases her versatility and determination.
Her recent work and future projects indicate that she is not just trying to survive in the entertainment industry but is actively shaping her own path. With each new project, she brings a fresh perspective and a deeper sense of authenticity to her craft.
