The Stranger Things series finale quietly shifts key characters to Massachusetts. From Smith College to the Boston Herald, here’s how the Netflix hit wrapped its story with a Bay State connection.
Although Stranger Things has always been rooted in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the series finale takes an unexpected and meaningful turn toward Massachusetts. Released on December 31, the final episode doesn’t just close the door on one of Netflix’s most successful shows—it opens a new chapter for some of its most beloved characters in the Bay State.
After a long and often frustrating wait for fans, the fifth and final season arrived in three parts at the end of 2025. The last episode, running a cinematic 2 hours and 8 minutes, delivered high-stakes action, emotional closure, and a few surprises that Massachusetts viewers in particular won’t forget.
The Final Battle Before the Farewell
The climax centers on Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, as she faces her greatest enemy, Henry Creel—better known as Vecna—portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower. Supported by the core group of Hawkins outsiders, Eleven’s final confrontation brings the supernatural storyline to a decisive end.
But once the dust settles and Vecna is defeated, the finale jumps forward 18 months, offering a glimpse into the characters’ lives beyond Hawkins. That’s where Massachusetts enters the picture.
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Robin Buckley Finds a Home in Northampton
One of the most fitting endings belongs to Robin Buckley, played by Maya Hawke. Viewers learn that Robin is now attending Smith College in Northampton.
For longtime fans, this feels like a perfect match. Throughout the final season, Robin shines as “Rockin’ Robin,” a DJ at Hawkins’ local radio station, WSQK. Smith College’s long history of student-run radio makes the transition feel natural, especially given the show’s 1989 setting. Robin even jokes about feminist lectures and the school’s high concentration of women as reasons her friend Steve Harrington—played by Joe Keery—should come visit.
Nancy Wheeler Heads to Boston
Massachusetts claims another Hawkins hero in Nancy Wheeler, portrayed by Natalia Dyer. Known for her investigative instincts and fearless approach, Nancy’s future takes her to Boston.
The finale reveals that she had been studying at Emerson College, likely pursuing journalism. However, Nancy ultimately leaves school to take a trainee position at the Boston Herald. True to her character, she downplays the achievement, explaining that she wanted real-world experience instead of more time in the classroom.
No Hawkins Reunion—At Least Not in Massachusetts
Despite Robin and Nancy both landing in the Bay State, fans hoping for a Boston-based reunion may be disappointed. With the characters now spread across the eastern United States, they agree to meet on neutral ground—Philadelphia, at the home of Robin’s eccentric uncle.
Still, the Massachusetts connection adds a grounded, realistic touch to the ending, showing how life after Hawkins continues in different directions.
A Quiet, Meaningful Goodbye
By placing key characters in real, recognizable Massachusetts institutions, the Stranger Things finale offers something rare: a sense that these characters might truly exist beyond the screen. It’s a subtle but satisfying way to close the story—less about monsters and portals, more about growing up and moving on.
All five seasons of Stranger Things are now streaming on Netflix, marking the end of an era that began in Hawkins and concluded, fittingly, with a new beginning in Massachusetts.