David Harbor hinted at his fatherly love for his Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown years before she was accused of bullying and harassment.
In 2021, Harbor reflected on his “special” bond with Brown while appearing on an episode of the podcast “That Scene with Dan Patrick.”
“I always felt this kind of deep fatherly love for her,” Haber, now 50, said at the time.
Harbor recalled when Brown was just 12 years old when they first started filming the first season of the Netflix show, which premiered in 2016.
“Millie and I have always had a special relationship because I’ve known her since she was little. I knew her even before she had this huge fame,” Harbor explained.
“I have really protective feelings towards her. I’m really concerned about her,” he continued. “I’m worried about her and the fame and all the things she has to struggle with.”
Harbor’s character, Jim Hopper Jr., became the adoptive father of Brown’s character, Eleven, in the popular horror series.
He’s been a father figure to Brown on and off screen, but their dynamic on set has clearly changed in recent years.
Sources claimed this week that the Enola Holmes actress, now 21, filed a lengthy complaint accusing Harbor of bullying and harassment before the cast began filming the fifth and final season.
“Millie Bobby Brown came forward with allegations of harassment and bullying before filming began last season,” a source told the Daily Mail in an article published Saturday.
“There were pages of accusations. The investigation continued for months.”
Brown reportedly had a personal representative with him during the filming of the series finale.
Netflix is said to have conducted an internal investigation into Brown’s claims, but it is unclear whether the company has completed its investigation. However, it is understood that the application did not allege any sexual misconduct.
Representatives for Brown, Harbor and Netflix did not respond to Page Six requests for comment.
Netflix officials argued that the streaming service’s reaction to the report speaks for itself.
“The fact that they haven’t denied it speaks volumes,” a source said, adding, “Netflix has become a household name thanks to ‘Stranger Things.’ Millions of fans around the world have been waiting for the final episode. We don’t want anyone to take attention away from that.”
“It will be a theatrical event,” the source continued. “There is nothing to cover up this situation, even the personal life of the protagonist.”
The person said Netflix never comments on internal investigations.
Another source told the Daily Mail that Harbor’s estranged wife, Lily Allen, had been by his side throughout the ordeal.
“Lily supported him through it all. It was a tough time,” the source said.
Harbor and the “Smile” singer split in February after four years of dating. Allen later hinted that Harbor had been cheating on her in her album West End Girl, which she released last month.
Rumors then surfaced that Harbor was having an affair with Natalie Tippett, the costume designer for his project.
