Millie Bobby Brown is pushing back against speculation of a rift with Stranger Things co‑star David Harbour, stressing that she has always felt safe working with him and quipping that the actor “wasn’t a Demogorgon” in her real‑life experience on set. Her remarks come after reports that she lodged a bullying and harassment complaint against Harbour ahead of filming the show’s final season, prompting questions about their off‑screen relationship.
Speaking after bullying report
Earlier this month, a UK tabloid reported that Brown had filed a bullying and harassment complaint against Harbour before production began on Stranger Things season 5, triggering an internal investigation by Netflix, though no allegations of sexual misconduct were included in the claims. Neither star has publicly detailed the substance of the reported complaint, but Brown’s latest comments appear carefully aimed at defusing the narrative that she felt endangered by her on‑screen father.
In a new interview, the 21‑year‑old actor was asked directly whether Harbour made her feel safe at work and responded that she “of course” felt secure around him, pointing to the decade they have spent working together since Stranger Things launched and emphasizing that she feels safe with the wider ensemble as well. Her framing signals an effort to separate any alleged professional tensions or formal complaints from the question of physical or emotional safety on set, underscoring that she does not view Harbour as a real‑world monster despite the headlines.
“Not a Demogorgon” and a father‑daughter bond
Brown leaned into the show’s mythology when she joked that Harbour “wasn’t a Demogorgon” to her, using the name of one of the series’ most terrifying creatures to underline that she never experienced him as a threat in their off‑camera relationship. She has repeatedly described their bond as a genuine father‑daughter dynamic, noting that years of intense scenes together — particularly in season 2, when Hopper becomes Eleven’s guardian — helped form a close and sometimes emotionally demanding partnership.
That off‑screen connection mirrors the evolution of their characters, with Eleven and Hopper moving from wary coexistence to a fiercely protective family unit across the show’s five seasons. Brown has said that working opposite Harbour pushes her to elevate her performance, explaining that seeing their names side by side on the call sheet motivates her to bring her “A‑game” because she knows he is doing the same.
Back together for the final season
After spending much of season 4 separated — with Hopper trapped in a Russian prison while Eleven struggled to regain her powers in California — the pair share significantly more screen time again in season 5. Brown has described reuniting with Harbour on set as “nostalgic,” likening the new episodes to seasons 2 and 3, when their characters frequently clashed and reconciled as Eleven pushed for independence and Hopper wrestled with being a single father figure.
The final run of Stranger Things episodes is rolling out in multiple parts, with the first volume already streaming and subsequent chapters set to close out the saga at the end of the year. Brown has teased that the last season will give proper closure to Hopper and Eleven’s story, calling it a “labor of love” and hinting that their emotional scenes together will be among the most memorable moments for long‑time fans.
Emphasis on a safe set
Showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer have also addressed the broader conversation around set culture, stressing that creating a safe and supportive working environment for their young cast is a top priority. They have characterized the ensemble as a kind of family after nearly a decade together, saying that nothing matters more than ensuring everyone feels comfortable and protected during production.
Brown’s latest remarks, paired with her affectionate red‑carpet appearances alongside Harbour at recent Stranger Things season 5 events, appear designed to send a clear message that their relationship remains intact despite the swirl of off‑screen speculation. By publicly affirming that she has always felt safe and by playfully rejecting any comparison between Harbour and the monsters of the Upside Down, she is signaling to fans that whatever happened behind closed doors, she does not see him as a real‑world villain.
