People Magazine<\/em><\/a>, the actress shared that returning to the show would have meant more than just screen time.<\/p>\n\u201cPortraying Max\u2019s mom was the opportunity of a lifetime,\u201d she wrote, adding that while she doesn\u2019t know why Susan wasn\u2019t included in the final season, she \u201cwould have been ecstatic to return.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would have helped me not only financially, but would have been a mental and emotional uplift after battling cancer for almost two years,\u201d Marshall continued, referencing her stage three melanoma diagnosis in 2021. Still, she was careful to strike a gracious tone. \u201cEither way, no one is entitled to a role, cancer or not. My heart remains grateful, and I will always give those involved in the decision-making the benefit of the doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a follow-up post on January 6, Marshall clarified that her cancer was not the reason she was absent from season 5. \u201cI had cancer, I get it. But I was in remission during the shooting of season five,\u201d she wrote. \u201cShooting would have helped me obtain my health insurance through the union.\u201d<\/p>\n
She even added a bit of humor to the situation, joking, \u201cMaybe they had too many characters, idk but obv Susan Hargrove is THE WORST MOTHER EVER LMAO.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marshall appeared in seasons 2 and 4 but did not return for the final season, which notably featured the Hawkins kids\u2019 graduation \u2014 complete with several parents in attendance. Fans were quick to point out the inconsistency. One commenter joked that Ted \u201cDo Nothing\u201d Wheeler made it to the ceremony while Susan didn\u2019t. \u201cHe\u2019s so funny tho lol,\u201d Marshall replied.<\/p>\n
The actress later told TMZ<\/em><\/a> that she never expected her comments to go viral and emphasized that she wasn\u2019t criticizing producers Shawn Levy<\/strong> or creators Ross<\/strong> and Matt Duffer<\/strong> \u2014 even if being \u201cghosted\u201d hurt. She also revealed that, following her posts, she was warned by a cast member and crew members that speaking out could risk her being blacklisted in the industry. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t care,\u201d the outlet reported.<\/p>\nMarshall also shared that she initially kept her cancer diagnosis private until rumors circulated on set during season 4 that she was using drugs. Once she explained her health struggles, she said there were no concerns raised about her ability to work.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, Marshall says she still doesn\u2019t know why she wasn\u2019t brought back \u2014 but she\u2019s not wrong about one thing. Fans definitely noticed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n