Sadie Sink’s portrayal of Max Mayfield on Stranger Things has received almost universal acclaim, but the show’s creative team initially seemed to have some surprising reservations about her. The actor revealed out about her audition process for the second season of the popular Netflix series in an interview with Fashion magazine.
She admitted that the casting supervisors were reluctant to cast her in season 2 because of her age of 14. Sink insisted on another chance because she believed Max was the perfect part for her and would not accept a no. The producers complied with her request and invited her in for a chemistry read with Matarazzo and McLaughlin. She received word that she had been cast the next day. She said, “I just begged and pleaded with them to give me more material so I could show them something fresh.”
Sink eventually got the Max role that she desired, but it’s interesting to note that almost didn’t get the part because casting directors believed she was too old at 14. After all, the characters they play in the series are all supposed to be the same age because Matarazzo, Wolfhard, and McLaughlin all share the same birthday as the main character. That Sink was picked out for that reason is interesting. Furthermore, Hollywood frequently chooses actors who are older than the characters they play.
Even though the fifth and final season of Stranger Things will be its last, giving Sink only one more season to play Max, the show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, have suggested a spinoff is in the works. Although the brothers have also stated that the Stranger Things spinoff won’t centre on any of the current characters, supporting roles and guest appearances are always a possibility. If so, Max Mayfield might return after season 5, and Sink might play the same part again in the future.