The Netflix hit Stranger Things, set to conclude its final season this year, launched both Millie Bobby Brown and Sadie Sink into the global spotlight. While Brown and Sink first captured audiences as Eleven and Max Mayfield, their post-Stranger Things careers are now taking markedly different directions. The Millie Bobby Brown career comparison with Sadie Sink reveals two contrasting approaches: Brown’s high-profile, multi-project franchise involvement versus Sink’s selective, critically acclaimed performances.
Brown has maintained a high profile with projects largely tied to Netflix, including the Enola Holmes series, Damsel, and The Electric State, alongside her growing business ventures such as her beauty brand Florence by Mills and bestselling novel Nineteen Steps. By contrast, Sink has focused on delivering quality performances across film, stage, and music video, earning praise for her roles in The Whale, Fear Street, and a Tony-nominated Broadway production while quietly building a respected artistic portfolio.
Sadie Sink’s Steady Rise from Early Theater to Hollywood Spotlight
Before her breakout role in Stranger Things, Sadie Sink demonstrated remarkable dedication to acting from a young age in Texas. She began with lead roles in community theater, including the title role in a production of The Secret Garden at seven. Her Broadway debut came at the age of ten, performing in Annie as both Duffy and later the title character. She further honed her craft alongside celebrated actors, such as Helen Mirren in The Audience, where she portrayed a young Queen Elizabeth II.
Sink’s on-screen appearances gradually increased with guest roles in television series like The Americans, Blue Bloods, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Her casting as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things Season 2 instantly added depth and energy to the ensemble, with viewers and critics lauding her nuanced portrayal of a complex and resilient character, especially during the emotionally resonant episode “Dear Billy” in the fourth season.
Outside of Stranger Things, Sink has built on her dramatic range with roles like Ziggy Berman in Fear Street Part Two: 1978, and most notably Ellie, the estranged daughter in Darren Aronofsky’s critically praised drama The Whale, co-starring Brendan Fraser. Her stage work culminated in a Tony nomination for her role as Shelby in the modernized retelling John Proctor Is the Villain, a reimagining of The Crucible. Sink is also venturing into producing, associated with the upcoming adaptation of that play. Additionally, her appearance in a Taylor Swift short film music video marks an unexpected yet intriguing diversification in her career.
With a rumored upcoming role in the Marvel Universe’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Sink’s trajectory suggests a sustained ascent in both mainstream and artistic domains, positioning her as a versatile talent to watch.
Millie Bobby Brown’s High-Profile Career and Expanding Brand
Millie Bobby Brown’s rise from a child actor to an international star began when she debuted as Eleven on Stranger Things at age 12. Born in Spain and raised in the UK, Brown’s early ambition to act was met with family support, despite notable setbacks like a missed opportunity on Game of Thrones. Her breakthrough role brought her critical acclaim, including an Emmy nomination, and established her as a defining face of Netflix’s hit series.
Following Stranger Things’ success, Brown has embraced a prolific post-show career centered on Netflix projects. She starred in the Enola Holmes mystery films, portraying Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister, with the first installment well-received for its charm and adventure, and quickly earning a sequel. However, Enola Holmes 2 met with criticism for its cluttered storyline and failure to capture the originality of its predecessor.
Brown’s subsequent Netflix films have experienced mixed reactions. Damsel (2024), a dark, feminist-angled fantasy, placed her in a lead role fighting dragons and confronting betrayal, but the film was noted for its weak script and shallow character development. The Electric State, directed by the Russo Brothers and meant to showcase Brown’s maturation into sci-fi and more adult themes, failed to meet expectations, leaving many viewers disappointed by its disjointed and emotionally distant narrative.
Despite these criticisms, Netflix continues to back her projects, with upcoming titles like Just Picture It and a film adaptation of her novel Nineteen Steps in development. Beyond acting, Brown leads a beauty brand, Florence by Mills, and runs her own production company, demonstrating entrepreneurial ambitions uncommon for someone so young.
Although the reception to Brown’s recent works has been uneven and sometimes described as glossy or forgettable, she remains a powerful figure in Hollywood at just 20 years old. The challenge ahead will be to secure roles that cement her legacy beyond Eleven and showcase her evolving range as a serious adult actress.
Comparing Their Career Strategies and Future Prospects
Millie Bobby Brown and Sadie Sink’s careers reveal two distinct strategies in navigating fame after a shared starting point. Brown’s approach favors volume and visibility, anchoring herself with large-scale Netflix projects while expanding into other entertainment sectors and business ventures. This has maintained her widespread name recognition, making her a constant presence in the media and among fan conversations.
In contrast, Sink is taking a more measured path, selecting roles that build critical respect and demonstrate versatility across mediums like film, theater, and music videos. She has garnered accolades and build a reputation for serious dramatic work, suggesting a durable career foundation.
The long-term outcomes remain to be seen, but the current picture suggests that while Brown commands greater immediate star power, Sink’s carefully curated choices may result in lasting artistic credibility and growth. In leaving Hawkins behind, both actresses have promising futures, though it appears that Sadie Sink is quietly forging a career many actors aspire to have, even as Millie Bobby Brown remains one of this generation’s brightest stars.
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 eventually became completely deaf in that ear over time. When she was four, her family returned to England and settled in Bournemouth.
Q. Is Millie Bobby Brown deaf in one year?
A. Few people are aware that Millie Bobby Brown has hearing loss in one ear. She was reportedly born with partial deafness, which worsened over time. Despite this challenge, she has continued to develop her acting career successfully.
Q. Is Millie Bobby Brown really deaf?
A. She was born with some hearing loss in her left ear, and over time, she lost all hearing in that ear.
Q. How deaf is Millie Bobby Brown?
A. Millie Bobby Brown has no hearing in one ear. Here’s what you should know about her experience with partial deafness.
