The relationship between Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour—who portray Eleven and Hopper in Stranger Things—became the subject of widespread discussion following reports of a formal complaint by Brown prior to the show’s fifth season. The situation, which has been referred to as the David Harbour Stranger Things controversy, has unfolded against the backdrop of the hit Netflix series as both actors addressed rumors and their dynamic on set.
Allegations Raised Prior to Final Season Filming
As anticipation built for the final season of Stranger Things, sources indicated that Millie Bobby Brown submitted an extensive complaint against her co-star David Harbour. The documentation reportedly included many details and was filed before production began in January 2024. The nature of the complaint led to a prolonged internal investigation by the production, with allegations of harassment and bullying cited.
“Millie Bobby Brown filed a harassment and bullying claim before they started shooting the last season,”
an unnamed source stated.
“There were pages and pages of accusations. The investigation went on for months,”
the source continued. While the seriousness of the claims spurred scrutiny, reports clarified that none of the accusations involved sexual misconduct.
During the filming, Brown was said to have had a personal representative present on set. Despite the tensions suggested by these developments, neither Brown nor Harbour addressed the situation publicly at that time.
Public Appearances and Demeanor Amid Rumors
On November 8, 2025, both actors appeared together at the red carpet premiere for the fifth season of Stranger Things. Contrary to speculation that their interactions would be distant or strained, Brown and Harbour were photographed smiling together, presenting a united front to the public and their fans. While questions lingered about the status of their professional relationship, their manner suggested normalcy amidst persistent rumors.
Further clarity emerged through Millie Bobby Brown’s statements in an interview with Deadline. She addressed concerns about her safety and working conditions, saying,
“Of course I felt safe. We’ve worked together for 10 years, I feel safe with everyone on that set,”
Brown reassured.
“We 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,”
she explained. Brown continued,
“David and I have a great relationship,”
emphasizing their collaborative process.
“We work really closely in the scenes, and in preparing for the scenes. 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.”
Production Leadership Addresses the Controversy
Series creators and producers also weighed in on the matter to address public curiosity and speculation. Ross Duffer, one of the Duffer brothers who co-created the series, remarked,
“Obviously, you understand I can’t get into personal on-set matters, but I will say we’ve been doing this for 10 years with this cast, and at this point they’re family and we deeply care about them. So, you know, nothing matters more than just having a set where everyone feels safe and happy,”
he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Producer Shawn Levy echoed the sentiment and acknowledged media distortion about the cast’s internal dynamics.
“There’s so much noise around it. But the truth is that we view this crew and this cast as family, and so we treat each other with respect, and that’s always been bedrock,”
Levy commented.
No specific outcomes or disciplinary actions were formally announced, and remarks from both the cast and creative team hinted at efforts to maintain a positive working environment even as confidential disputes were resolved.
The Evolution of David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown’s Relationship
Since the premiere of Stranger Things in 2016, both David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown have publicly described their bond as special, extending beyond the screen’s portrayal of a surrogate father-daughter relationship. The actors’ close working relationship became integral to the show’s dynamic, especially during intense scenes throughout the series’ earlier seasons.
Harbour described the connection in 2021 during an interview with Dan Patrick, reflecting on their shared history:
“Millie and I have always had sort of a special relationship because I knew her when she was so young. I knew her before any of this big fame hit,”
Harbour said.
“I have a real protective feeling for her. I have a real, like, worry. I worry about her and the fame and all that she has to struggle with. And I’ve just always felt this kind of deep fatherly affection for her.”
These remarks emphasized the genuine concern and care Harbour felt toward Brown as she rose to international stardom through her portrayal of Eleven.
Despite the outward displays of camaraderie, some fans pointed to moments where the strong familial image did not appear to be reciprocated. In a 2024 conversation with MTV’s Josh Horowitz, when asked about the prospect of Harbour officiating her wedding to Jake Bongiovi, Brown responded with measured hesitation:
“Yes…yes. I don’t know how I feel. Sure. Matthew Modine, I think.”
Notably, Modine, who plays Dr. Brenner (“Papa”) in the series, did preside over her wedding, a choice that some interpreted as signaling distance between Brown and Harbour outside of their screen personas.
David Harbour’s Reflections on Personal and Professional Challenges
David Harbour’s personal life and recent events may have contributed further perspective on his professional conduct. His split from singer Lily Allen following alleged infidelity drew additional media attention. In discussion with Esquire UK, Harbour addressed personal growth and mistakes:
“You either accept your path completely and realize that even the pain and the slip-ups and the mistakes are all part of the journey, and that there’s truth and growth, wisdom and deeper empathy and connection in all that,”
he stated.
“It’s about incorporating your life into something that you can give to other people so that they can have a cathartic response to their lives. If you’ve never been through anything, what do you really have to offer? If I were to change anything I’d change everything, and just make my life happy and silly and like, whatever, and then I wouldn’t be an artist anymore. And that would suck.”
While Harbour did not directly reference his relationship with Brown or details of the on-set events, his comments conveyed a broader acceptance of life’s difficulties contributing to both artistic growth and empathy toward others.
Current State and What to Expect Next for Stranger Things Cast
Despite the turbulence behind the scenes, Stranger Things continues to be a focal point for fans eager to see the resolution of Hopper and Eleven’s journey. The trailer for the upcoming fifth season highlights the strong connection between their characters, with multiple scenes featuring both actors. Although no detailed official statements have emerged regarding the outcome of Brown’s complaint, the cast’s joint appearances and positive remarks suggest a resolve to move forward collaboratively.
As the Netflix series approaches its conclusion, the ways in which these real-life complexities influence both storytelling and future professional relationships within the ensemble remain to be seen. For now, the David Harbour Stranger Things controversy reflects the challenges that can emerge even among long-standing cast members in high-profile productions, with safety, respect, and public scrutiny at the center.
