Linda Hamilton Was Considering Retirement Before 'Stranger Things' Came Along

Linda Hamilton Considered Retirement Before 'Stranger Things'

Linda Hamilton, known for her iconic role as Sarah Connor in the Terminator series, had been contemplating retirement before being cast in the fifth and final season of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

Career Highlights and Role in Stranger Things

Hamilton is celebrated for her strong presence in sci-fi and genre films, including Beauty and the Beast and Resident Alien. Her new role in Stranger Things marks a shift as she takes on a villainous character, though details about this role remain scarce despite the release of the season’s opening minutes.

Retirement Thoughts Before the Role

“I had started to talk to my agent actually right before this about retirement. I was having a terrible hip issue for a few years and I was like, ‘I can’t guarantee that I’m going to be at my best, and if I can’t do that, then I don’t want to be in front of [the] camera.’”

These words were shared by Hamilton in a red-carpet interview with Variety, revealing that health concerns heavily influenced her decision to consider stepping away from acting.

A Turn of Fate

Despite her plans to retire, a pivotal phone call changed her mind, leading her to accept the role in Stranger Things and continue her career in the spotlight.

Summary

Linda Hamilton nearly retired due to health issues but embraced a new challenge with Stranger Things, demonstrating her enduring impact on the sci-fi genre.

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Gizmodo Gizmodo — 2025-11-07

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