Long before her iconic role as Eleven in Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown delivered a striking performance in a very different setting. At just 10 years old, she appeared in a Season 12 episode of NCIS as Rachel Barnes, a young girl entangled in a murder investigation that revealed a disturbing twist. This early appearance showcased Brown’s ability to portray a chilling character with remarkable calm and depth.
The Plot and Character Development in the NCIS Episode
In the episode titled Parental Guidance Suggested, Brown’s character Rachel Barnes was introduced as a lively, ordinary child walking home from school dressed in a Harry Potter costume, which she explained she had worn for three Halloweens in a row. The initial scenes captured her innocence and carefree nature, but the mood shifted dramatically when Rachel discovered her mother’s body with a gunshot wound. The storyline unfolded to reveal a tense psychological drama centered on Rachel’s family dynamics and hidden motives.
Rachel’s father, a Navy officer frequently away on duty, played an important role in the narrative’s emotional tension. As law enforcement investigated the homicide, Special Agent Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon, interacted gently with Rachel, offering her comfort through small gestures like popcorn and hot chocolate, even helping her build a fort. This moment reflected Gibbs’ empathy, stemming from his own personal losses, as he sought to connect with the young girl amid the tragedy.
Rachel Barnes: A Complex and Disturbing Character
The episode reached its turning point when it was revealed that Rachel was responsible for shooting her mother. Her actions were motivated by a desperate desire for her father’s attention and presence. It also emerged that Rachel’s mother had confided in a serial criminal to try to understand her daughter’s dangerous behavior. Despite being confronted by Gibbs, Rachel displayed unsettling composure, responding coldly to his questioning with the simple request:
Can I have another juice box?
—Rachel Barnes, NCIS character
Brown’s portrayal of Rachel’s emotionless and calculating nature drew comparisons to the classic 1956 thriller The Bad Seed, which featured a similarly menacing young girl with a military father. This chilling role stood in stark contrast to Brown’s later, more sympathetic character in Stranger Things, highlighting her versatility as a performer.
Impact and Reception of Brown’s Performance
Although Brown’s appearance in NCIS was brief, her performance left a powerful impression on viewers and critics alike. Her ability to deliver a convincing and restrained portrayal of such a disturbing character at a young age gained significant attention. Among the Stranger Things cast, several members had earlier roles—Finn Wolfhard appeared in Supernatural, Sadie Sink had a part in The Americans, and Noah Schnapp lent his voice to The Peanuts Movie as Charlie Brown—but Millie Bobby Brown’s chilling role on NCIS remains uniquely memorable for its unsettling intensity.
This early role foreshadowed Brown’s capacity to take on complex, emotionally demanding characters, setting the stage for her breakout success. Her depiction of Rachel Barnes demonstrated her skill in navigating dark psychological material long before gaining fame on Netflix.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Millie Bobby Brown deaf in 1 year?
A. She was born with some hearing loss in her left ear, and over the years, she completely lost hearing in that ear. When she was four, her family relocated to England, choosing to live in Bournemouth.
Q. Is Millie Bobby Brown deaf in one year?
A. Few people are aware, but Millie Bobby Brown shared that she is deaf in one ear. She was born with some hearing loss, which worsened over time. Despite these challenges, she has managed to overcome them and advance steadily in her acting career.
