By Harshit
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 7, 2025
Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour arrived together at the premiere of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things in Los Angeles, sharing a brief hug and smiling as cameras flashed on the red carpet. Brown, 21, who portrays the central character Eleven, and Harbour, 50, who plays her adoptive father figure Jim Hopper, posed together for photographs in what appeared to be a warm and familiar moment between longtime co-stars.
Netflix shared footage of the two greeting each other, captioning the clip: “David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown arrive together for one last Stranger Things premiere.” The moment immediately sparked discussion among fans because it follows recent media reports alleging that Brown previously filed a harassment and bullying complaint against Harbour before production began on the final season.
Reports of Workplace Concerns Emerge
According to a Nov. 1 report from The Daily Mail, Brown submitted a formal complaint to Netflix executives ahead of the start of filming Season 5, detailing alleged inappropriate behavior and interpersonal conflict on set. The report claims an internal investigation took place over several months. Representatives for Netflix, Brown, and Harbour have not issued public statements regarding the matter, and no official findings have been released.
The report also states that Brown had a personal representative present on set throughout filming. Industry analysts note that, while uncommon, on-set representatives are sometimes provided for actors dealing with sensitive workplace dynamics or heightened public scrutiny.
A Long Professional Relationship
Brown and Harbour have worked together on Stranger Things since filming began in 2015. Brown was just 11 years old when she was cast as Eleven, and Harbour has spoken publicly over the years about their early bond. In a 2016 interview, Harbour described their relationship as “special,” referencing the intense emotional performances required by the show’s storyline.
Over time, their on-screen characters evolved from a protective—and sometimes volatile—surrogate father-daughter dynamic into a more emotionally complex connection that resonated deeply with fans. Interviews from earlier seasons frequently highlighted the actors’ real-life closeness, though they also acknowledged occasional friction. During a 2018 PaleyFest panel, Brown, then 14, said she and Harbour sometimes clashed emotionally, describing their dynamic as similar to that of an actual parent and teenager: “We get angry at each other, we go through it, and then the work feels real.”
Reactions and Renewed Public Scrutiny
Since news of the alleged complaint surfaced, fans and commentators have revisited older interviews for signs of strain. A resurfaced March 2024 promotional interview, in which Brown briefly appeared uncomfortable when asked about Harbour potentially officiating her wedding, has been widely shared on social media.
In addition to the current headlines, Harbour is facing separate personal controversy connected to his former marriage to singer Lily Allen. Allen’s recently released album West End Girl includes lyrics suggesting infidelity and emotional conflict during their relationship. Harbour has not commented publicly on those claims.
The Weight of a Cultural Phenomenon
The final season of Stranger Things carries emotional significance for cast, creators, and its global audience. The show has been a defining cultural force for nearly a decade, launching the careers of several young actors and reviving 1980s nostalgia in mainstream pop culture. For many fans, the Brown-Harbour pairing has been central to the emotional core of the series.
Whether the red carpet reunion was purely professional, symbolic, or a genuine moment of reconciliation remains unclear. What is certain is that the premiere marks the beginning of the end of one of television’s most influential sci-fi dramas of the past decade.