Stranger Things is a cultural phenomenon that hardly needs an introduction. Since its debut in 2016, the hit Netflix series has captivated global audiences with its nostalgic 1980s setting, heartfelt storytelling, and supernatural thrills.
As of late 2022, the show continued to dominate streaming charts, especially with the release of its fourth season earlier that year. While much of the attention goes to the gripping plot and eerie atmosphere, it’s the ensemble cast—both the original stars and newly introduced talent—that truly brings the Upside Down to life.
From the beginning, the core cast has earned widespread admiration, and each new season has introduced fresh characters played by standout actors who quickly won over fans.
The cast of the science fiction horror drama television series Stranger Things: Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink, Finn Wolfhard, and Noah Schnapp (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)
New Faces and Fan Favorites: Maya Hawke’s Breakout as Robin Buckley and Rising Style Star
The fourth season of Stranger Things was no exception to this trend – with a wealth of new actors entering the fold during the fourth season, including Jamie Campbell Bower as Henry/Vecna, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Grace Van Dien as Chrissy Cunningham, Tom Wlaschiha as Dmitri Antonov, and Eduardo Franco as Argyle.
In the third season, Maya Hawke was introduced to the main cast as Robin Buckley, Steve Harrington’s co-worker at the ice cream parlor. While Maya Hawke is best known for her acting, her fashion, particularly her footwear, has become a topic of conversation in its own right.
Maya became beloved by the show’s fans for her performance as Robin, which she reprised in the fourth season as well.
Maya Hawke wears Robin Buckley’s iconic Scoops Ahoy sailor uniform and custom-scribbled red Converse sneakers—personalized with doodles like “boobs”—in Stranger Things Season 3, a look crafted in collaboration with costume designer Amy Parris to subtly reflect the character’s identity and rebellious edge (Credit: Netflix)
Let’s take a look at Maya Hawke’s career up until this point and explore how she was cast as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things.
Maya Hawke’s Hollywood Origins: From Famous Parents to Breakout Star
Stranger Things always seems to have a knack for casting up-and-coming stars who are brilliant in their own right.
Maya Hawke was born in 1998 in New York City and celebrated her 26th birthday in 2024. The daughter of famous actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman (who met on the set of Gattaca in 1997), Maya Hawke was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age.
Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke met in the mid-1990s and welcomed two children together, Maya Ray Thurman Hawke (of Stranger Things fame) and Levon Roan Thurman-Hawke (Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock)
This led her to transfer schools frequently, eventually landing at Saint Ann’s School, which prioritizes creativity in its education and doesn’t use a traditional grading scale.
Inspired by this educational path, she decided that a career in acting would be suitable for her. She followed this up by pursuing a BFA in acting at Juilliard before dropping out to work in the film industry.
A Calvin Klein advertisement billboard featuring Maya Hawke in Soho in New York (Credit: ROB DAVIS / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)
Maya also briefly pursued a career in modeling, appearing in shoots for Vogue and Calvin Klein. She was in talks to portray Ariel in the planned Sofia Coppola adaptation of The Little Mermaid. However, the film never got off the ground after disputes between Sofia Coppola and the producers, who preferred Chloë Grace Moretz for the role.
In 2017, Maya finally made her acting debut in the BBC miniseries adaptation of Little Women, where she played the role of Jo March.
Funnily enough, Maya’s Stranger Things co-star Winona Ryder (who plays Joyce Byers) also portrayed the character of Jo March in the 1994 adaptation of the famous Louisa May Alcott novel.
Annes Elwy, Maya Hawke, Kathryn Newton, and Willa Fitzgerald in the 2017 BBC television historical drama adaptation of Little Women (Credit: BBC)
Maya followed it up with another role in Amanda Kramer’s indie film Ladyworld (2018). She eventually landed her breakthrough role in Stranger Things, which helped to propel her career to new heights.
Since appearing in Stranger Things, Maya has acted as a member of the Manson Family in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), as Frankie (alongside Andrew Garfield as Link) in the Gia Coppola film Mainstream (2020), and as Annie Brown in the Showtime miniseries The Good Lord Bird, where she plays the daughter of her real-life father’s character.
Andrew Garfield as Link and Maya Hawke as Frankie in the 2020 comedy-drama film Mainstream (Credit: IFC Films)
Maya continued to work with Netflix, acting in multiple projects under their production house. She plays Heather in the Netflix horror film Fear Street Part One: 1994 and Eleanor in the teen dramedy film Do Revenge.
Most recently, Maya has been associated with Asteroid City (2023), Wes Anderson’s latest creative endeavor.
How Maya Hawke Was Cast as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things
Robin Buckley had her debut in the first episode of the third season of Stranger Things. She was introduced as a co-worker of Steve Harrington at the ice cream parlor called Scoops Ahoy. During the fourth season, she’s seen working with Steve at Family Video, the town’s local video store.
Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley appeared in the premiere episode of the third season of Stranger Things (Credit: Netflix)
The young Hawke’s connection to Winona Ryder (her father starred in Reality Bites with her in 1994) may have helped her land the role as Robin in Stranger Things, but it’s her acting chops and impressive resume that did the trick.
Reportedly, Matt and Ross Duffer were inspired by Maya Hawke’s nerves during her performance as Robin on set, crafting her dialogue to suit her fast-speaking style.
Eventually, the Duffer brothers would use this unique quirk to their advantage, writing a ton of dialogue for Robin’s character, as they knew that Maya’s manner of speech would allow her to cram words within a limited running time.
The Duffer Brothers incorporated Maya Hawke’s fast way of speaking into the script as one of Robin Buckley’s endearing quirks (Credit: Netflix)
We’re curious to see where Robin ends up by the time Stranger Things concludes, seeing as the fifth season is set to be the final one of the series.
Maya Hawke’s Music Career
In addition to her burgeoning career as an actress, Maya Hawke has also answered her calling as an indie musician.
So far, Maya has released two albums: Blush (2020) and Moss (2022). Her music falls within the indie folk genre, and Maya has collaborated with established folk music songwriters and producers, including Christian Lee Hutson and Jesse Harris.
When asked if she identifies as an actor or a singer in an interview with Rolling Stone, Maya answered, “I don’t love labels. But if I had to give up one, I would give up singing. Acting is my greatest passion…”
Despite this, Maya continues to work on music as a part of her overall artistic output. Seeing as both of her albums have received positive receptions from critics and general audiences alike, we’re excited to see what music the young Hawke will be able to put out in the future!
Maya Hawke turns heads in a whimsical black tulle gown from Dior’s Spring 2017 collection, featuring celestial embroidery and a bold red bat motif, at the Stranger Things Season 4 premiere in Brooklyn on May 14, 2022 (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto)
Overall, Maya Hawke is a young artist who has yet to reach her full potential, both as an actress and as a musician. We’re anticipating her next move in either career path, and we can’t wait to see where her character Robin ends up in the following (and final) season of Stranger Things!
Stepping Out in Style: Maya Hawke’s Most Memorable Shoe Moments
Maya Hawke has consistently impressed with her fashion choices, particularly her footwear selections. Here are some of her standout shoe moments:
Maya Hawke in Christian Louboutin’s Mistiroir Pumps
- Event: ‘Little Women’ Miniseries Promotion
- Outfit: Maya donned an Altuzarra Fall 2018 dark purple velvet dress, complemented by a white button-down shirt and polka-dotted tights.
- Footwear: She elevated her ensemble with Christian Louboutin’s ‘Mistiroir’ 110 leather pumps, featuring four buckle-fastening straps that wrap over the foot and around the ankle.
- More Details: Maya Hawke Rocks Louboutin’s Must-Have Mistiroir Heels
Maya Hawke’s Retro Glamour in Prada at the ‘Asteroid City’ Premiere
- Event: ‘Asteroid City’ New York Premiere
- Outfit: Maya sparkled in a custom black Prada gown adorned with sequins, complemented by a retro-inspired sequined cap.
- Footwear: She completed the look with sleek black pointed-toe heels, adding a touch of sophistication to her ensemble.
- Read more: Maya Hawke Sparkles in Black Prada Gown and Sequined Retro-Inspired Cap at Asteroid City New York Premiere
Maya Hawke Steps Out for Prada at Milan Fashion Week
Continuing her stylish streak, Maya Hawke made an appearance at Milan Fashion Week in a sleek yet vibrant Prada ensemble that balanced bold color with classic tailoring.
Maya Hawke added a sharp edge to her look with pointed black stiletto heels, pairing them with fire-engine red trousers, a navy knit top, and a caramel leather coat while attending Prada’s Fall/Winter 2025/2026 show at Milan Fashion Week (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)
Maya Hawke’s Bold Statement at the ‘Do Revenge’ Premiere
- Event: Netflix’s ‘Do Revenge’ Premiere
- Outfit: Maya embraced the ’80s in a pink velvet dress with an argyle print around the neck, styled with a fringed bob hairstyle.
- Footwear: She showcased her feet in Piferi’s ‘Izma’ strappy open-toe sandals, featuring crisscross straps and high heels.
- Explore her look: 6 Best Dressed Stars at Netflix’s Queer Comedy Do Revenge Premiere
Maya Hawke’s Modern Twist at the ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Premiere
- Event: ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Premiere
- Outfit: Maya wore an Olivier Theyskens Fall 2018 suit with a cream bustier, notched pant hems, and a gold flower crown.
- Footwear: She paired the ensemble with Rupert Sanderson’s ‘Balance’ ankle-strap pumps in black satin, adding a modern edge to her look.
- See more: Maya Hawke Turns Heads in Gold Flower Crown and Satin Heels at Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Premiere
These moments highlight Maya Hawke’s evolving style and her ability to make bold fashion statements, particularly with her choice of footwear.