Everything We Know About Maya Hawke From ‘Stranger Things’

Quick Facts

Stranger Things has been met with wide acclaim since its first season premiered on July 15, 2016. The science-fiction horror series has featured different characters in its episodes, bringing in new cast members every now and then. Even with its massive popularity and vast cast, Maya Hawke was able to make her own character shine when she got cast in the third season of the series. She plays Robin, who works with Steve in a nautical-themed ice cream shop at the Starcourt Mall.

Robin first appeared in the 80s-themed season three teaser that was released in July 2018. She appeared in subsequent trailers, with fans seeing more of the character in action. Maya shared that she also had some input in Robin’s character arc. As Netflix described Robin, “she seeks excitement in her life and gets more than she bargained for when she uncovers a dark secret in Hawkins, IN.”

An Overview of Maya Hawke’s Background

Maya Hawke was born on July 8, 1998, in New York City, New York. She was named Maya Ray Thurman Hawke by her parents, actor Ethan Hawke and actress Uma Thurman. Maya has a brother who was born in 2002.

After meeting each other in 1997, Thurman and Ethan Hawke exchanged vows in May 1998. The couple eventually got a divorce in 2005 as rumors about Ethan’s infidelity circulated. Ethan would go on to marry former family nanny, Ryan Shawhughes.

The actress has three half-siblings; two half-sisters who were born in 2008 and 2011 from her father’s marriage with his second wife, and a half-sister from her mother’s relationship with her ex-fiance, a French-British financier named Arpad Busson. Maya Hawke is related to famous American playwright Tennessee Williams and Buddhist scholar Robert A. F. Thurman.

Educational Qualifications and How She Started Acting

Growing up, Maya Hawke had dyslexia which subjected her to a difficult time in school. She had to change schools frequently because of this, before ending up at Saint Ann’s School, a private school in Brooklyn, New York. The school forgoes using grades, choosing to emphasize on artistic creativity. The new school’s environment steadily pushed Maya Hawke to take up acting.

Looking to improve her skills and learn more, Hawke enrolled in summer classes at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. She also attended the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. In addition to that, Maya schooled at The Juilliard School for a year before she was forced to drop out after being cast in the 2017 BBC historical period drama, Little Women.

Career Breakthrough and Other Acting Projects

Besides Stranger Things and Little Women, Maya Hawke has also appeared in films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Ladyworld, and Human Capital. Of course, her big break came from her role as Robin in the third season of Netflix’s science-fiction horror series, Stranger Things, which was released in 2019. That same year, the role earned her a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in Streaming Presentation.

In Universal Picture’s planned adaptation of The Little Mermaid, director Sofia Coppola wanted Maya Hawke to have the part. However, the producers wanted to go for Chloë Grace Moretz instead. This, along with other issues, led to Coppola dropping out of the project.

Meanwhile, Maya, Andrea Riseborough, and Charlie Plummer have been cast in Please Baby Please, a period drama directed by Amanda Kramer. Production is expected to commence in February 2020.

Maya Hawke Is also a Model and Musician

Hawke is a multitalented lady. Not only is she an actress; she’s also a model and an upcoming musician. Taking the same path as her mother and grandmother, Maya modeled for Vogue when she began her modeling career. She has also modeled for Calvin Klein’s underwear range and was the face of the 2016/2017 collection of British fashion retailer, AllSaints.

As for her music career, Maya performed the song Total Eclipse of the Heart in the 7th episode of Stranger Things’ third season. In August 2019, she released two singles titled To Love a Boy and Stay Open ahead of her upcoming album. Hawke wrote and recorded the tracks with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, Jesse Harris.

Who Is The Actress Dating?

Pictures shared on Instagram seem to indicate that Maya Hawke is dating Gus Wenner, son of Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner. Even though neither of them has spoken about a relationship brewing, the pair have posted pictures on their respective Instagram accounts that depict them very cozy together.

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