Stranger Things Hit With Huge Shakeup 3 Weeks Before Season 5 Following David Harbour Controversy

Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s most popular shows of all time, and it’s all coming to an end this year with the highly anticipated Season 5. However, recent events have also led to the hit sci-fi series being shrouded in controversy.

Most recently, a report claimed lead star Millie Bobby Brown filed a lengthy complaint against her co-star David Harbour. The actress reportedly accused him of harassment and bullying, although there have been no confirmations from either party. However, once the press tour started, Harbour was visibly absent, as per The Standard.

Co-stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp and Sadie Sink have been promoting the series, but Harbour has yet to show up to hype up the fifth and final season. The Thunderbolts* star was not a part of the Season 5 press tour so far, leading to multiple memes citing Brown’s recent filing and Harbour’s ex-wife, Lily Allen’s new album.

However, things reportedly aren’t as dire as they seem. A source told E! News that the actor was “never confirmed for the interview junket.” He was just confirmed to star in a new project, Evil Genius, with Courteney Cox at the helm. The same outlet clarifies, “David has been cleared for and is expected to attend Stranger Things’ Season 5 premiere in Los Angeles on Nov. 6.”

The recent allegations claimed Millie Bobby Brown filed a “lengthy” complaint about the Thunderbolts* star even before the show returned to start filming Season 5, which started in January 2024. “Millie Bobby Brown filed a harassment and bullying claim before they started shooting the last season,” an insider told The Daily Mail. “There were pages and pages of accusations. The investigation went on for months.” The report clarified that no sexual impropriety was involved.

David Harbour Isn’t the Only Controversial Stranger Things Star

Eleven and Will embrace in the desert in Stranger Things Season 4, Episode 8Image via Netflix

While Harbour was recently in the headlines, Stranger Things has a bigger elephant in the room to address: Noah Schnapp. The actor, who plays Will Byers, has received controversy in late 2023 with his stance on the Palestinian genocide and support for Israel. When filming started in January 2024, fans asked to boycott the show if Will Byers didn’t die. The marketing largely avoided using Schnapp in solo posts and mostly included him in group posts. However, the criticism around Schnapp has quieted down lately, and Will is still expected to have a major role in the series finale.

Stranger Things will return with a three-part release. The show will debut the first four episodes on Nov. 26 during the Thanksgiving holiday. The other three will debut on Christmas Day, with the finale episode on Dec. 31.

Release Date

2016 – 2025

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz

Writers

Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock

• Millie Bobby Brown

  Jane ‘Eleven’ Hopper

• Finn Wolfhard

  Mike Wheeler