Netflix Investigated Millie Bobby Brown’s David Harbour Complaint

Netflix, along with the creators of Stranger Things, responded to a high-profile off-screen controversy involving Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour before the show’s final season commenced. The streaming service undertook an investigation into Brown’s bullying complaint against Harbour, aiming to resolve the matter discreetly.

According to Variety, Netflix conducted a thorough months-long review into the allegations of bullying and harassment raised by Brown. Meanwhile, Deadline suggested that the disagreement between the actors happened earlier in the series rather than close to the production of Season 5. A source told Deadline,

“there was a tiff between Brown and Harbour, and she did complain about his behavior; however, it might not have been as recent as the report suggested but earlier in the series’ run. It was dealt with, and there haven’t been issues since,”

providing context on the timeline and resolution of the complaint.

Resolution Prior to Season 5 Filming

The inquiry concluded before filming began on Season 5, with Netflix determining that the situation was satisfactorily addressed. None of the parties involved—including Netflix, Brown’s representatives, or Harbour’s team—offered comments or details about the specific nature of the allegations. Despite the public attention, production moved forward without reported disruption.

On November 6, shortly after the initial Daily Mail article surfaced on November 1, Brown and Harbour appeared together at the Los Angeles premiere of Stranger Things. The two arrived side by side, shared smiles, posed for photographs, and praised each other during interviews. Brown referred to Harbour as really special, while Harbour remarked,

“proud to watch all of them grow up.”

Netflix further shared a video of the actors’ interaction, which Brown’s skincare brand, Florence by Mills, later reposted with a heart emoji, signaling a public display of camaraderie.

Cast Safety and Workplace Culture Addressed by Showrunners

Stranger Things co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer, alongside executive producer Shawn Levy, took the opportunity to discuss the overall environment for the cast during production. Levy told The Hollywood Reporter,

“You have to create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe, and so we did everything to build that environment.”

Ross Duffer emphasized the long-term relationship with the cast, stating,

“We’ve been doing this for 10 years with this cast, and at this point they’re family … nothing matters more than just having a set where everyone feels safe and happy.”

Context of the Controversy and Final Season Release Plans

The publication of the Daily Mail story coincided with personal developments in Harbour’s life, particularly his divorce from singer-songwriter Lily Allen, who recently released an album touching on their separation. Despite these off-screen developments, Harbour and Brown continue to share significant screen time in the concluding season of the series.

Netflix plans to release the fifth and final season of Stranger Things in three segments, scheduled between November 26 and December 31, 2025.