Early this month, several weeks before Stranger Things officially returned with the fifth and final season, a report claimed there was some tension between lead stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour. The two played father-adopted-daughter on the show, and had several scenes together.
The initial report claimed Brown accused Harbour of alleged harassment via a “lengthy” complaint, which led to an investigation that “went on for months.” However, the actors looked like they got along perfectly days later at the Stranger Things Season 5 L.A. premiere. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Millie Bobby Brown addressed what it was like to work with Harbour.
Asked about their united front at the premiere, Brown replied, “We’ve been doing that for the last 10 years. I mean, we have always been united in that. We love this show with everything, and we value our friendship more than anything.”
Variety had previously confirmed the validity of the report, and sources confirmed that the investigation happened. They clarified that the issue “was resolved.” The initial claims revealed that Brown had a personal representative on set when she starred alongside Harbour.
Season 5 Vol. 1 includes multiple scenes of Brown’s Eleven and Harbour’s Hopper, who spend more time together this season after their reunion in the Season 4 finale. The Enola Holmes actress revealed it was “so nice” and “really exciting” being able to “come back together” with Harbour.
She explained, “It was quite nostalgic because it reminded me so much of Season 2 and 3, where we’re both kind of butting heads and she’s growing up, she’s trying to find her own voice and he’s trying to parent, and that dynamic definitely comes back into play once again, and I’m really excited for people to see that. And I think some of people’s favorite scenes of Eleven are El and [Hopper], so I’m really excited to have that come to screen once again.”
Millie Bobby Brown Felt ‘Safe’ Working With David Harbour
Netflix
Speaking with Deadline, Brown gave a similar answer. She explained, “David and I have a great relationship. We work really closely together in the scenes and in preparing for the scenes.”
She continued, “I really am excited for everyone to see the labor of love and hard work we’ve put into the closure of our relationship and what that looks like and to give some of the fans. Especially the Hopper and Eleven fans.”
Brown teased, “Those scenes that I feel, I think, are going to be quite impactful. I love it. It makes me want to bring my A game every single time I see that I’m on the call sheet working with him because I know he’s bringing it right back.”
Asked if she felt safe doing the emotional scenes with Harbour, the actress replied, “Of course, I felt safe. We’ve worked together for 10 years. I feel safe with everyone on that set. Naturally [we]’ve been doing it for so long. We also play father and daughter, so naturally you have a closer bond than the rest because we have had some really intense scenes together, especially in Season 2.”
Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 is out. Vol. 2 will follow on Dec. 25, with the finale to air on Dec. 31.
Release Date
2016 – 2025-00-00
Network
Netflix
Showrunner
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
Directors
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz
Writers
Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
Millie Bobby Brown
Jane ‘Eleven’ Hopper
Finn Wolfhard
Mike Wheeler