David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown Abandon ‘Stranger Things’ Ahead of Finale

As one of Netflix’s longest-running and most valuable originals, the final season of Stranger Things is a momentous event for the streaming giant.

But the show’s final stretch has unfolded unevenly. Rather than a single, unified farewell, the last phase of promotion has been somewhat overshadowed by alleged drama between Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour.

Despite playing an adoptive father-daughter duo on the show, recent reports have highlighted tension between the duo.

Now, fans are questioning why neither star attended the show’s finale celebration event.

A Finale Event That Drew Attention for Who Wasn’t There

According to People, David Harbour did not attend Stranger Things: The Final Season Celebration at the Paley Center in New York. The event brought together much of the cast to watch the season finale and reflect on the show’s run.

Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Jamie Campbell Bower, Joe Keery, and Maya Hawke were all present.

The event took place amid recent reports of unusual behavior involving the actor. One incident, reported last weekend, allegedly occurred at an eatery in Encinitas, California.

Witnesses claimed Harbour took another man’s hat and shouted, “C’mon, dude, f*****g get me!” The incident circulated online shortly before the Paley Center event.

A spokesperson for the Paley Center told People that Harbour would “not be present due to a scheduling conflict.” No further details were provided.

TMZ later cited a source who suggested the behavior may be connected to Harbour’s bipolar disorder. “David has always been honest about managing his bipolar disorder,” the source said.

“Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what he’s dealing with here after working non-stop all year and having his personal life under public scrutiny,” the source added.

Millie Bobby Brown also did not attend the Paley Center celebration. According to reports, she recently injured her arm in a fall.

Brown additionally missed an in-person appearance on Good Morning America earlier in the week. She instead joined the program via a video livestream.

The dual absences shifted the tone of what is typically a tightly choreographed farewell moment, particularly for a series so closely associated with its core cast.

Earlier Reports Resurfaced Before the Final Season’s Premiere

The attention surrounding the finale comes months after reporting first raised questions about tensions during production. In November, the Daily Mail reported that Brown had filed an official complaint against Harbour.

According to the British publication, Brown lodged the complaint with Netflix before filming began on the final season of Stranger Things. The complaint allegedly accused Harbour of bullying and harassment.

The report stated the complaint contained “pages and pages of accusations” and prompted an internal inquiry that continued for several months.

While the specific allegations were not detailed, the report claimed they did not include accusations of sexual impropriety.

During filming, Brown was accompanied on set by a personal representative. This included scenes shared directly with Harbour, even within the first installment of the final season.

Harbour — who is set to appear in Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday (2026), which just released its first teasers — was reportedly supported through the inquiry by his ex-wife, Lily Allen.

Allen has since released the album “West End Girl,” which includes explicit accusations about her former partner’s infidelity and behavior during their marriage.

Despite the report, neither Brown nor Harbour commented publicly on the complaint. Both appeared together at the world premiere for Stranger Things Season 5.

Brown later addressed the importance of presenting a united front in comments to The Hollywood Reporter. “We’ve been doing that for the last 10 years,” she said.

“I mean, we have always been united in that. We love this show with everything, and we value our friendship more than anything,” Brown added.

She also spoke positively about revisiting Eleven and Jim Hopper’s dynamic. “It was quite nostalgic because it reminded me so much of season two and three,” she said.

“That dynamic definitely comes back into play once again, and I’m really excited for people to see that,” Brown continued. “I think some of people’s favorite scenes of Eleven are El and [Hopper].”

The Duffer Brothers were later asked about the bullying claims. Co-creator Ross Duffer told The Hollywood Reporter, “Obviously, you understand I can’t get into personal on-set matters.”

“But we’ve been doing this for 10 years with this cast, and at this point they’re family,” he said. “Nothing matters more than having a set where everyone feels safe and happy.”

Director and executive producer Shawn Levy echoed that position. “You have to create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe,” he said. “And we’re proud of the fact that we did so.”

What are your thoughts on the Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour situation?