Maya Hawke Biography, Career, Family, Movies and More

Maya Hawke has become a distinctive voice in contemporary film and music. She arrived in the public eye carrying an unmistakable name, but she quickly made it clear that she was building a career on her own terms

As an actor she has moved from classic literary adaptations to blockbuster streaming series. As a musician she writes songs that feel intimate and lived in.

She spent years trying out different creative forms before choosing acting and songwriting as her main outlets.

When she broke through as Robin Buckley on Stranger Things, audiences noticed an actor who combined dry humor with emotional depth.

At the same time she released music that showed a thoughtful songwriter with a gentle, confessional style. Both careers have run alongside one another and often inform each other.

This longform biography covers Maya’s early life, training, acting breakthrough, music, notable roles, public image, and answers to the questions readers ask most.

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Maya Hawke’s Biography

Early life and family

Maya Hawke was born in New York City on July 8, 1998. She is the daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman.

Her parents met while working on the film Gattaca and married in 1998. Maya is the older of two children from that marriage. Growing up, she spent time around artists and performers but also dealt with challenges that shaped how she learned and worked.

She has spoken publicly about having dyslexia, which affected her school experience and led to attending schools that emphasized creative learning.¹

Her maternal and paternal families have their own public histories. On her mother’s side she is the granddaughter of Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman and model Nena von Schlebrügge. On her father’s side she is related, more distantly, to figures in American literature and theater circles.

Those family ties gave her early exposure to cultural life, but she has described her own path as a series of small decisions rather than a simple inheritance.

Education and Early Artistic Training

Maya attended schools that supported creative work. As a child she moved between different schools because dyslexia made traditional classroom learning a poor fit.

She later enrolled at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, which is known for an arts-forward approach and no formal grading. That environment allowed her to focus on creative projects and develop confidence in performance.

Some bios note a connection to Juilliard for further training or study, which reflects the depth of her interest in serious craft.

Early on, Maya explored both modeling and acting. She modeled in her teens but also sought more substantive training and acting opportunities.

In interviews she has described testing the waters in different creative arenas rather than following a single scripted route. That exploratory period helped her find the balance she now shows between acting and music.²

starting stranger things season 5 only because maya hawke is a girl kisser and literally no other reason

— daily maya hawke (@dailymayahawkee) November 27, 2025

Quick Facts

First Acting Appearances and Breakout

Maya’s first widely noticed screen role came in 2017 when she played Jo March in the BBC adaptation of Little Women. The role placed her inside a classic story and drew attention to her fresh, contemporary take on a character often associated with fierce independence and literary courage.

From there she began to get offers for film and television roles that used both her dramatic instincts and her deadpan comedic timing.

The true breakout role for many viewers was Robin Buckley in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Introduced in the show’s third season, Robin arrived as a witty, intelligent new ally for the Hawkins group. Her chemistry with co-star Joe Keery and her scene work with other cast members became a highlight of the season.

Robin’s arc, which includes emotional honesty and a storyline about identity, resonated widely and led to critical and audience recognition. Maya’s performance blended sarcasm with vulnerability, and that contrast helped her stand out in an ensemble cast.

Film and TV highlights

Below are some of the major screen projects that shaped Maya Hawke’s profile. This is not an exhaustive list but covers the most visible work through recent years.

• Little Women (2017, BBC) — Jo March. An early major role that placed her in a period drama and invited comparisons with other Jo interpretations.³

• Stranger Things (2019–2025, Netflix) — Robin Buckley. A breakthrough performance that expanded her fan base globally. The role continued across multiple seasons.

• Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood (2019) — small role in Quentin Tarantino’s ensemble. Being part of large ensemble films helped expose her to different directing styles.⁴

• Do Revenge (2022) — featured role in a teen dark comedy. This film allowed her to blend comedic timing with teen drama elements.

• Other projects — appearances and voice roles in smaller films and series, and some documentary-style credits in behind-the-scenes or cast-focused pieces. Her filmography continues to expand each year.

Her choices show interest in both classic material and modern genre work. She has not been limited to one type of role. Instead she often selects parts that let her reveal character nuance through quiet gestures and underplayed dialogue.

Music Career

Maya Hawke also writes and records music. She released her debut double single in 2019 and followed with a full-length debut album, Blush, in 2020.

The record was released via Mom + Pop Music and received attention for its intimate production and lyrical directness. Her music often leans toward folk and indie pop with acoustic textures and conversational lyrics.

Critics and listeners responded to the way she uses voice and phrasing to make songs feel like short personal essays.

After Blush, she continued to release singles and to perform at small venues and festivals. Reviews typically praise her songwriting and vocal tone rather than high production gloss. Her music career sits alongside her acting projects.

She treats songwriting as another form of storytelling. That creative overlap often surfaces in interviews where she discusses how songs come from the same impulse that draws her to particular character moments.

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Style and Approach to Roles

Observers often describe Maya Hawke’s acting style as quiet, textured, and emotionally reliable. She favors small, truthful choices that make characters feel lived in rather than loudly dramatic.

In ensemble series like Stranger Things that subtlety stands out because it creates a contrast with bigger genre set pieces. In period work like Little Women, she leaned into the literary and historical elements while keeping the character modern and accessible.

Her musical style shares a similar intimacy. Instead of theatrical vocal gymnastics she uses phrasing, hush and breath to deliver lines that sound like fragments of a diary. That sensibility is a throughline in her public persona.

She presents as thoughtful, slightly private, and keen on quiet craft. This has made her a favorite for roles that require inner life rather than showy exterior.

Public Image and Interviews

Maya generally gives interviews that emphasize craft and curiosity rather than fame. She has spoken about her family with warmth but rarely trades on being a star child.

In public she manages a balance between accessibility and privacy. While she accepts high-profile projects and red-carpet events, she also plays small venues for music and seeks out interview platforms that let her talk about process and influences.

Journalistic profiles often note her self-possession and the way she frames acting as work rather than celebrity. ⁵

Awards and Nominations

As a rising actor and musician Maya has gathered positive reviews and some award attention, especially from critics and youth-oriented organizations.

While not a shelf of major awards yet, recognition of Stranger Things as a cultural phenomenon and attention to her music have made her a respected young artist.

For specific nominations and wins, consult film festival records and award databases, as those details can change with each awards season.

Notable Critical Responses

• Critics praised her portrayal of Robin for its deadpan wit and for revealing deeper emotional layers. That performance helped anchor new arcs in Stranger Things and invited conversation about representation and identity in mainstream genre television.

• Her debut album Blush was seen as an earnest introduction to her songwriting. Reviewers pointed out her lyrical directness and the restrained production that foregrounded voice and melody.

Statistics Table

How Maya Chooses Projects

Across interviews and profiles, Maya describes choosing projects that offer either a strong emotional truth or an opportunity to try a different creative form.

She has spoken about the importance of good scripts and supportive directors. She has also been careful to pursue music in ways that fit into her life rather than replacing acting.

This pragmatic approach has allowed her to take on steady television work while still producing albums and touring in smaller circuits.

Personal Life

Maya maintains a largely private personal life. Public attention often centers on her family background and her creative output.

She has spoken fondly of her parents and has in some cases collaborated on or appeared near family projects, but she tends to keep her romantic and private relationships out of major public focus.

Reporting that goes beyond confirmed interviews or direct statements from her should be treated cautiously. For up-to-date details, rely on her official channels or reputable outlets.

Impact and Influence

Maya Hawke represents a younger generation of actors who move fluidly between mediums. She is part of a group that values agency over celebrity.

Her influence is partly stylistic: small, precise performances that reward close viewing. Her music influences appear to come from classic singer-songwriters and modern indie folk.

Young viewers and musicians often cite her as an example of someone who takes time to learn her craft and builds a career incrementally.

 

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FAQ’s

1. What is Maya Hawke’s full name and birthday?

Her full name is Maya Ray Thurman Hawke. She was born on July 8, 1998, in New York City.

2. Who are Maya Hawke’s parents?

Her parents are actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. Both parents are widely known for their film careers.

3. How did Maya Hawke get her breakout role?

Maya’s breakout mainstream role came when she was cast as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things. The role arrived after several earlier credits, including Little Women. Her performance on Stranger Things captured wide attention.

4. Has Maya Hawke released music?

Yes. She released her debut album Blush in 2020 through Mom + Pop Music and has put out singles both before and after that release. Her music leans toward indie folk and singer-songwriter styles.

5. Is Maya Hawke on social media?

Yes, she has public social media profiles and a website connected to her music. For the most current links, use official artist pages and verified social accounts.

6. What other notable projects has she done?

In addition to Stranger Things and Little Women, Maya has appeared in films such as Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood and in teen-focused features like Do Revenge. She has also participated in smaller independent and voice roles.

7. Does she have any awards?

She has received praise and attention, and has been part of award-eligible projects. For a current list of nominations and wins, consult award databases such as IMDb awards listings or the organization that issued the honor. These lists are updated seasonally

Conclusion

Maya Hawke’s career is an example of building a public life around craft. She stepped into the spotlight with famous family roots but has steadily developed work that stands on its own.

Between thoughtful acting and quietly powerful music, she has created a dual career that values depth over spectacle. Her choices suggest continued growth in both fields.

For readers interested in actors who pursue music, or musicians who act, her path offers a case study in balance and gentle persistence.

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