Millie Bobby Brown recently shared a lighthearted behind-the-scenes story from the set of “Stranger Things,” revealing how her favorite British comfort food often became the center of attention among her American castmates.
During an appearance on Hot Ones, the actress explained that cultural differences around food led to plenty of teasing, especially whenever she brought homemade British meals to work.
Although the comments were made in good humor, Brown admitted the experience left her feeling self-conscious at times.
British Comfort Food Sparked Questions
While filming “Stranger Things,” Brown said her American costars often reacted with surprise when they saw her meals wrapped in aluminum foil. She recalled being asked, “Mate, what the f— are you eating?” because the food looked unfamiliar to them.
Brown explained that the reactions went beyond simple curiosity. According to her, some cast members joked that the meals looked as if they had come from another century. She remembered hearing remarks such as, “It’s like you live in the 1800s and you found some, like, speciality. It’s, like, wrapped in tinfoil.”
The actress revealed that the repeated comments made her feel “food-shamed.” As a result, she often chose to eat away from everyone else. Brown said she would sometimes “hide in a corner” just to enjoy her lunch without answering questions. When asked what she was eating, her response was simple: “It’s a jacket potato with beans and cheese. It’s nothing.”
Brown pointed out that the same meal receives a completely different response while working in the United Kingdom. Instead of confusion, jacket potatoes are treated as a familiar favorite on British sets.
She explained, “So they didn’t get it,” referring to her “Stranger Things” castmates. In contrast, she said that crews in England typically respond with, “Having a jacket! Lovely!” The difference highlighted how everyday comfort foods can vary widely across cultures.
Life Beyond “Stranger Things”
Brown portrayed Jane Hopper, also known as Eleven, throughout all five seasons of “Stranger Things.” The hit Netflix series featured an ensemble cast that included Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Winona Ryder, Maya Hawke, Joe Keery, David Harbour, and Gaten Matarazzo.
The series concluded on New Year’s Eve, and its final season recently earned seven Emmy nominations. The nominations recognized achievements in production design, prosthetic makeup, sound, stunt coordination, and visual effects.
Away from the series, Brown now lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, Jake Bongiovi, and their daughter. Even after moving to the United States, British food remains an important part of family life.
Family Favorites Still Stay on the Menu
Brown also spoke about her mother’s cooking, joking that spaghetti bolognese—known in Britain as “Spag Bol”—is the meal served most often during family visits.
She laughed while saying, “Spag Bol is pretty much the only thing my mum can cook.” Brown also recalled telling her mother, “Mum, we’ve had it, like, three times this week. We can’t have any more spag bols.”
Even so, she described it as one of her favorite meals. Brown added that although she rarely orders spaghetti bolognese in restaurants while visiting England, her mother’s homemade version remains the one she enjoys the most.
Brown’s comments offered a relatable look at how familiar foods can seem unusual in different cultures. Her experience on the set of “Stranger Things” shows that even simple meals can spark funny conversations, while also highlighting how personal food traditions often stay close to home, no matter where life leads.
