The final season of Stranger Things is just around the corner, but behind the scenes, drama has reportedly unfolded between two of the show’s biggest stars. Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, has reportedly accused her on-screen adoptive father, David Harbour, of “harassment and bullying” on set.
According to the Mail on Sunday, Brown filed the claim against Harbour before filming began for the fifth and final season of the Netflix hit. The source revealed, “Millie Bobby Brown filed a harassment and bullying claim before they started shooting the last season. There were pages and pages of accusations. The investigation went on for months.” While the inquiry reportedly focused on workplace behavior, there were no claims of sexual impropriety. Netflix has declined to comment, and the outcome of the internal investigation remains unknown.
In the series, Harbour plays Jim Hopper, the police chief who becomes Eleven’s adoptive father. Brown’s complaint casts a shadow over the highly anticipated final episodes, which are set to air in two parts: the first drops on November 27 at 1 a.m. GMT, with the second arriving on December 26 at the same time, leading into the New Year’s Day finale.
The news is particularly surprising in light of Harbour’s previous comments about his relationship with Brown. On the “That Scene with Dan Patrick” podcast in 2021, he reflected warmly on their bond:
“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. I have a real protective feeling for her. I have a real, like, worry,” he said. “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.”
The resurfacing of this interview has sparked new attention as Brown’s allegations came to light. Reports indicate the claim included “pages and pages” of alleged bullying behaviors, highlighting the complexity of their working relationship.
Meanwhile, Harbour has also been making headlines for personal matters. His ex-partner, singer Lily Allen, recently released a new album, West End Girl, which appears to reference their breakup. One track, Madeline, seemingly chronicles an alleged affair involving Harbour, with lyrics that read, “I can’t trust anything that comes out of your mouth / I’m not convinced that he didn’t f*** you in our house.”
Stranger Things Season 5, Part 1 premieres November 26, followed by Part 2 on December 25.
