Eleven may not be in Stranger Things season 3, according to star Millie Bobby Brown. The character's fate has been in question before: During the season 1 finale, she used her telekinesis to stop the Demagorgon, seemingly destroying herself in the process. But a "one month later" sequence that followed showed police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) leaving a Tupperware dish full of leftovers and a pack of Eggo waffles — Eleven's go-to snack — in the woods, suggesting she was still alive.

Later interviews confirmed that Eleven would be back when the show returns, and eventually, the Stranger Things season 2 trailer revealed she was trapped in the Upside Down — potentially with even bigger, more dangerous monsters lurking nearby. Whether she makes it out will be determined by season 2, which is set for release in late October, but it may mark just another ambiguous ending for the valiant pre-teen.

In an interview with Vulture, writer Jen Chaney said that most of the cast seemed eager to get back to filming, but Brown was more hesitant about whether or not Eleven would be involved. “I plead the fifth. It’s easier for the other characters to talk about it. For Eleven…” she said, stopping herself before saying too much.

The news comes on the heels of series creators the Duffer brothers' announcement that there will, in fact, be a Stranger Things season 3. So whether or not viewers will see more of Hawkins, Indiana's investigative A.V. club isn't the question, it's if Eleven will survive the next ringer she's put through.

Cutting out Eleven would inarguably be a disservice to the show: Brown is both a fan favorite and a critical standout, so much so that just last month, she earned her first Emmy nomination under the Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category for her performance. But the Duffer brothers have proved they aren't afraid to go against audience demand. Despite the breakout success of Barb in season 1, they (perhaps rightfully) made no effort to wedge her back into the narrative during their second go-round (though she will get a bit of justice).

Moreover, they've made clear that their priority is with their storytelling. While confirming season 3, they said they're planning for just four seasons before bringing things to a close, and that they understand that the terrors of the Upside Down wreaking havoc on Hawkins will eventually hit an expiration date. They can only recreate that threat so many times before it gets tired. So if it made sense, plot-wise, for Eleven to exit the show, it seems like a very real possibility that they would do it.

Next: Is Will The Villain of Stranger Things Season 2?

Stranger Things season 2 hits Netflix October 27, 2017

Source: Vulture