On January 26, 2026, Ethan Hawke publicly encouraged his daughter, Maya Hawke, to move forward following the conclusion of her successful role as Robin Buckley in Netflix’s Stranger Things. The veteran actor shared his advice amid the show‘s finale, emphasizing the importance of looking ahead rather than dwelling on past achievements.
Father Shares Words of Encouragement and Pride
Ethan, 55, expressed pride in Maya’s performance as one of the hit series’ standout characters. Speaking with Variety, he told Maya directly,
“Time to move on. You got to do it, and move on. Don’t look back.”
Their professional relationship extends beyond Stranger Things, having worked together in 2023 on the biographical drama Wildcat, directed by Ethan and centered on author Flannery O’Connor. When asked about collaborating again, he enthusiastically replied,
“Heck yeah, are you kidding me? I want to be with the star of Stranger Things!”
Ethan Hawke’s Own Continued Passion for Acting
While encouraging his daughter to embrace new chapters, Ethan himself continues to stay busy with varied projects. In 2025 alone, he appeared in films including Blue Moon, She Dances, and Black Phone 2. His work also extended to television, with a main role in the crime comedy The Lowdown and providing voice acting for General Anthony Wayne in the documentary series The American Revolution.
The dedication to his craft remains strong, as Ethan reflected,
“Why can’t I sit still? Why do I work so much? I love it. I am amazed when people do one movie every five years… I really like making movies. I started when I was young and fell madly in love with the process. You can’t do it alone. It has magic attached to it.”
He further explained,
“Once you felt that feeling of making something bigger than yourself and you watch it connect with audiences, I chase it. I’m just chasing.”
Recognizing Maya’s Artistic Journey and Resilience
Ethan has long sensed Maya’s inclination toward the arts. During a recent conversation with Sydney Sweeney for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, he recalled,
“I knew when she was about 4 that she was gonna be an artist. And I knew that she was gonna be a very good one.”
Maya found refuge in creative pursuits such as watercolor, dance, and singing throughout her childhood.
He acknowledged that her upbringing included challenging moments, admitting,
“There were a lot of things about her childhood that were really, really hard and complicated, and things I regret for her.”
One poignant memory involved a teacher asking Maya if she was happy. At age 13, Maya’s thoughtful reply surprised many:
“I don’t think that’s a very interesting question… Am I happy? No. But I don’t aspire to be happy.”
Reflecting on this, Ethan said,
“So I never worried about her going into the arts, because I knew that was gonna save her life.”
The Future Ahead for Maya Hawke
As Stranger Things closes its final chapter, Ethan Hawke advice Maya to embrace new projects and challenges. His own active career demonstrates the vitality of continually pursuing artistic endeavors, setting an example for his daughter. Their shared passion for storytelling, both on screen and beyond, hints at the possibility of future collaborations that fans will eagerly anticipate.
