Despite recent reports of an alleged bullying complaint, Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour presented a united front, arriving together and sharing warm moments on the red carpet for the final season premiere of Stranger Things in Los Angeles.
The pair, who play the fan-favorite father-daughter duo of Eleven and Jim Hopper, were seen smiling, laughing, and embracing for photographers. Their joint appearance served as a strong visual counterpoint to rumors of a workplace dispute, with the official Netflix social media account posting a video of their arrival with the caption, “David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown arrive together for one last Stranger Things premiere.”
The Background of the Allegations
Earlier reports had created speculation about tension between the two stars. According to sources, Millie Bobby Brown had filed a formal complaint of bullying and harassment against David Harbour before filming for the show’s final season began.
The complaint was described as containing “pages and pages of accusations,” which prompted an internal investigation by Netflix that was said to have lasted for months. The reports specifically noted that the allegations did not involve any sexual misconduct, but focused instead on workplace behavior.
A Warm Red Carpet Reunion
The atmosphere at the November 6 premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre was anything but tense. Brown, 21, and Harbour, 50, interacted comfortably, posing for pictures together and engaging with fans. Their demeanor seemed to dismiss the swirling rumors, as they focused on celebrating the conclusion of the series they have worked on since 2015.
When asked about their relationship on the red carpet, Brown spoke fondly of her co-star.
“I’ve obviously had a really special bond with David because we have a father and daughter relationship, and we do every scene together. You really get to see that in season 5,” Brown told Entertainment Tonight. “It’s been so special to have him along the journey for me.”
Harbour expressed similar sentiments, highlighting his pride in watching Brown grow up on set.
“I adore her, and I’ve been proud to watch all them grow up and become great artists. I doubt it will be the last time we’ll see each other in this world or work together,” Harbour said.
Production Team Addresses Set Environment
The show’s creators and producers were also questioned about the allegations and the overall working environment on set. While not commenting directly on the specific situation, co-creator Ross Duffer emphasized the importance of a safe set.
“Obviously, you understand I can’t get into personal onset 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,” Duffer told The Hollywood Reporter.
Executive producer Shawn Levy echoed this, stating that a producer’s job is to “create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe.” He also cast doubt on the accuracy of the reported rumors, noting that he had read “a bunch of stories” and found some aspects to be “wildly inaccurate.”
“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 added.
A Decade-Long On-Screen Relationship
Brown and Harbour have shared the screen since the first season of Stranger Things, which debuted in 2016 when Brown was just 11 years old. Their characters’ bond has been central to the show’s emotional core, evolving into a father-daughter dynamic that resonated deeply with audiences.
Harbour has often spoken publicly about his protective feelings toward Brown. In a 2016 podcast, he reflected, “Millie and I have always had a special relationship because I knew her when she was so young. I knew her before any of this big fame hit.” In 2021, he expressed his worries, saying, “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.”
Brown has similarly described their connection as “like father and daughter,” acknowledging in a 2018 panel that their real-life emotions often influenced their performances together.
Looking Ahead to the Final Season
The premiere event also offered new glimpses into the show’s final chapters. Netflix released the first five minutes of Season 5, titled ‘The Crawl,’ which returns to the night of Will Byers’ disappearance in 1983. The scene sets a tense tone, with Vecna returning to confront Will.
Co-creator Ross Duffer explained that this season differs from previous ones by starting at a sprint. “We usually set up their normal life and then introduce the supernatural element. But in this case, this season is sprinting from the start,” he said. The season will also delve deeper into the mythology of the Upside Down, answering key questions established early in the series.
The final season of Stranger Things will be released in three parts. Volume 1 premieres on November 26, 2025, followed by Volume 2 on Christmas Day. The series finale episode will be available to stream on New Year’s Eve.
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