"When Stranger Things premiered back in 2016, the kids of Hawkins were still little, the Demogorgon had just begun its reign of terror, and Cara Buono's Karen Wheeler was the picture of a classic '80s suburban mom: big hair, a wood-paneled station wagon, pastel button-up blouses (and perhaps an undercurrent of quiet discontent?). Nearly a decade - and several trips to the Upside Down - later, the series has become a full-on global phenomenon, the kids are grown, and Buono has earned an unofficial forever title from fans: "Hawkins' mom.""
"It's a nickname she proudly carries, and one that works onscreen and off. In addition to serving as a sort of surrogate set mom for the young cast over the years, she's been raising her own now-teen daughter along the way. Esme, who was a toddler when the show began, has quite literally grown up alongside the young cast. (If you want to cry, read Buono's sweet post about how "every version" of her daughter still lives in her.)"
"CB: I love working with kids. I know not a lot of actors, I think, feel that way. The Duffers love kids. So it was a perfect situation for me. I mean, my daughter was just turning 3 when I started the show, so I got to bring her a lot."
Cara Buono became known as Hawkins' mom through her role as Karen Wheeler and as a surrogate set mother to the young cast. She balanced acting on Stranger Things with raising her daughter Esme, who literally grew up alongside the cast after being a toddler when filming began. Buono proudly carries the Hawkins' mom nickname and brings fond memories of bringing her child to set. As the series approaches its fifth and final season, Buono reflects on saying goodbye to Hawkins and on a memorable moment of maternal ferocity early in Season 5. Her broader career includes roles on The Sopranos and Mad Men.
Read at Scary Mommy
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