David Harbour 'Noticeably Absent' After Millie Bobby Brown 'Harassment' Claim: Report

The anticipation for the final season of Stranger Things was supposed to be pure celebration, marking the triumphant conclusion of a global phenomenon. Instead, the final promotional cycle has been overshadowed by an alarming, unverified report claiming co-star Millie Bobby Brown filed a harassment and bullying complaint against series favourite David Harbour before filming.

Harbour has maintained a noticeable silence on the allegation, and his subsequent reduced visibility at major promotional events for the show's farewell tour has only intensified the intrigue.

The report, which first surfaced in early November 2025, alleges that Brown submitted an internal workplace complaint to Netflix executives before production on Season 5 began. The report was quick to clarify that the complaint did not involve any claims of sexual misconduct, but it reportedly detailed inappropriate behaviour that Brown felt needed to be officially documented.

As the final episodes of the beloved series prepare to launch, the off-screen drama has added an unexpected and unsettling layer of scrutiny to a cast that has historically projected an image of perfect harmony.

Off-Screen Scrutiny: Why David Harbour's Presence Is Limited

The most concrete evidence of potential trouble is David Harbour's reduced visibility during the final season's press engagements, a notable and unusual shift given his central role as Sheriff Jim Hopper.

Hopper and Brown's character, Eleven, share one of the most emotionally resonant and foundational on-screen relationships of the entire series. Historically, Harbour's involvement in press tours has been highly prominent, making his recent absence conspicuous.

While Harbour did walk the red carpet alongside Brown at the massive Los Angeles premiere of Season 5, several media outlets observed that his subsequent participation in junkets, interviews, and photo calls appeared limited compared to his castmates.

The studio has offered no public explanation for the scaled-back presence, leaving the space open for speculation linking his lower profile to the internal complaint.

Brown, now 21, and Harbour, 50, have maintained a largely private dynamic regarding their working relationship outside the boundaries of the show throughout the series' run. The alleged complaint, submitted to Netflix executives, prompted an internal review.

The process was reportedly handled privately within the studio, and no official findings have been released. Neither Brown, Harbour, nor Netflix has publicly confirmed the details of the investigation, placing the entire narrative into a vacuum of unverified claims and noticeable absences.

Workplace Conduct: David Harbour And The Bedrock of Respect

The serious nature of a workplace complaint—regardless of its specific details—is not something a major studio takes lightly. The allegation necessitated a response, even if that response was kept rigorously internal.

While Netflix has not commented directly on the alleged complaint, executive producer Shawn Levy addressed the importance of workplace conduct at the show's premiere, speaking broadly about the cast dynamic.

His comments serve as the only official statement touching upon the issue. Levy said, 'We view this cast as family... respect has always been the bedrock.' This statement, while not a direct confirmation or denial of the complaint, subtly reinforces the studio's official position on set behaviour.

Season 5 of Stranger Things is set to premiere on 26 November 2025, with additional episodes arriving in December and a feature-length finale scheduled for New Year's Eve. The series marks the highly anticipated conclusion of a global phenomenon that began in 2016.

As fans prepare for the final chapter, attention has been redirected from the show's conclusion toward the culture surrounding one of Netflix's flagship productions.

With no formal public disclosure about the internal investigation, questions remain about how the unverified allegations may influence David Harbour's involvement in the show's concluding promotional cycle.

The contrast between Harbour's limited public presence and Brown's continued engagement in press events has added an unexpected layer of intrigue to the series' final, emotional season.

For now, the public is left to piece together the private dynamics of the Stranger Things family based on unconfirmed reports and the actor's noticeable retreat from the spotlight.