Millie Bobby Brown’s ‘nurturing’ bond with her on-screen ‘Papa’: Matthew Modine, who lived with her family, was the ‘first person’ to meet actress’s husband – and officiated their nuptials

Superhuman Eleven and the character elusively known only as ‘Dad’ had a turbulent relationship in Stranger Things – but the reality between their actors, Millie Bobby Brown and Matthew Modine, couldn’t be further from fiction.

The young actress – now 20 – who shot to fame when she was just a child, found a mentor in the 65-year-old star, who this week consummated her Italian wedding to Jake Bongiovi.

The father figure was the ‘first’ person to meet her future husband, revealing he had been there to ‘take him in’ and ‘sort him out’.

The duo met when Millie was 11, and Matthew has described their dynamic as ‘very caring’ and ‘loving’.

Speak with The independentthe actor revealed that the pair bonded over their acting process for season four of the show, when Millie invited him to stay at her house.

“She saw me go through my process, which she had never seen before, of memorizing lines, just sitting down with the script and saying the lines over and over again,” he said.

“She asked me why I work so hard to remember. She said, “You clearly know the rules. What are you looking for?’ And I said, “Millie, I’m working with the most famous actress in the world! Certainly one of the most famous actresses in the world, and I have to be prepared.”

Speak with NetflixMillie added that their close relationship also helped them create the show.

“Dad and Eleven have such an intimate relationship, so we had to be able to bond to portray that,” she explained. “We were a great fit and it was just a real, true friendship. Nothing was ever forced. It just worked.’

Ross Duffer, co-showrunner of the show, also said: “Matthew and Millie are so close outside of the show.

‘We hinted at Brenner in season 1, but this season we really get to know him a lot better. They had so much fun working on scenes together. It was really great.’

Matthew also stayed with Millie’s family at their house during the first season of filming – and says he soon became part of the clan, going on road trips with them.

Although he was only meant to stay for three days, he ended up extending it to three months, with Millie saying they even named the guest house ‘Modine House’.

Millie’s mom made dinner for them after a long day on set, and they were wowed by fans who saw them go to the grocery store together and “take selfies in the cereal aisle.”

Matthew was also on hand to ensure Millie looked after her mental and physical health on set – in a show that demands a lot from the lead in terms of stunts and performance.

In 2022 he told the Guardian that he had a ‘desire to protect his opponent’.

“As a young actor, if you had a show that was successful in 20 or 30 territories around the world, that would be incredible,” he said.

‘Netflix is ​​present in more than 190 territories. What Millie and her generation have been exposed to through streaming is a kind of celebrity, power and reach that is greater than ever before in the entertainment industry.

‘It’s a roller coaster: there are ups and downs. The adoration and love is not real, it is for something you have created and it can be devastating.”

Matthew rose to prominence after playing Private Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket in 1987 – and appeared in a number of other hits including Pacific Heights, The Dark Knight Rises and Oppenheimer.

It’s clear their bond has remained intact after the show, as Matthew recently officiated Millie’s wedding to Jake Bongiovi.

Speaking about the first meeting with her husband, he said The independent: ‘He was such a gentleman. He was so nice, this young man, and behaved so maturely. He was very impressive. “I don’t know what I expected from the son of a rock star, but he’s a very impressive young man.”

Sharing a sweet candid about his wedding InstagramMatthew wore a beaded friendship bracelet with “Dad” written on it.

“Thank you @milliebobbybrown @jakebongiovi,” he wrote. ‘#friendsforever.’

Millie and Jake shared the first look at their beautiful wedding on Wednesday.

The couple, who secretly married in May, posted a message collection of photos on Instagramcapturing the magic of their party at Villa Cetinale in Italy.

The photos show the couple exchanging vows under a beautiful floral arch, while the 20-year-old Stranger Things actress stuns in her custom Galia Lahav dress.

“Forever and ever, your wife,” the Florence by Mills founder wrote in her caption:

Jake, 22, shared his own series of photos and captioned them, “Forever and ever, your man.”

One photo also shows a touching moment with his father, Jon Bon Jovi.

Another photo caught fans’ attention as they were surprised to learn that Millie’s Stranger Things co-star and Hollywood icon, Matthew Modine, officiated the couple’s ceremony.

“Not Matthew officiating the wedding, I’m going to sob,” said one follower.

Another said: ‘Matthew officiating the wedding is the sweetest thing ever.’

For the ceremony, Millie dazzled in Galia Lahav’s stunning creation.

She completed her look with a delicate veil from Monvieve, which beautifully reflected the intricate patterns of the dress.

Opting for a sophisticated aesthetic, she wore minimal jewelry and makeup, and later changed into a chic off-the-shoulder satin dress for the evening festivities.

Jake looked dapper in an ivory tuxedo jacket paired with black trousers, accented by a crisp white shirt and a fashionable black bow tie.