Millie Bobby Brown insists she and David Harbour ‘value friendship most’ amid bullying controversy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Millie Bobby Brown has addressed her relationship with co-star David Harbour following a viral report alleging she had accused Harbour of on-set bullying, emphasizing the strength of their decade-long bond.

Despite the accusations, Brown and Harbour appeared united, posing together and smiling at the 'Stranger Things' season five world premiere in Los Angeles on November 6.

Millie Bobby Brown stresses valuing friendship above controversy

When The Hollywood Reporter asked why it mattered for her and Harbour to show a united front amid the headline-making accusations, Brown emphasized the longevity and depth of their connection.

“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."

Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour reunite on-screen for final season

Brown also said she was thrilled about the dynamic between her character, Eleven, and Harbour’s character, Hopper, in season five. The pair shared substantial time on-screen again after being separated for much of season four.

She told the outlet it was “so nice” and “really exciting” to “come back together” with Harbour for the final season.

"It was quite nostalgic because it reminded me so much of season two and three, where we’re both kind of butting heads and she’s growing up, she’s trying to find her own voice, and he’s trying to parent, and that dynamic definitely comes back into play once again, and I’m really excited for people to see that,” Brown added.

She also speculated about fan reaction, saying, “And I think some of people’s favorite scenes of Eleven are Ele and Hopper, so I’m really excited to have that come to screen once again."

Alleged bullying complaint and Netflix inquiry

The controversy began after a report in the UK tabloid The Daily Mail, which claimed that 21-year-old Brown filed a harassment and bullying complaint against 50-year-old Harbour ahead of filming the final season.

The report described “pages and pages” of allegations but did not detail specific claims, and it noted that no accusations of sexual impropriety were included.

According to the tabloid, Netflix conducted an internal investigation that reportedly lasted “for months,” and Brown was allegedly accompanied by a personal representative while filming season five before production wrapped in December 2024.

Netflix has not commented on the report.

Duffer Brothers and Shawn Levy underline safe set and dispute claims

While Brown herself has not directly addressed the allegations, the Duffer Brothers and executive producer Shawn Levy were questioned about the claims at the LA premiere.

Co-creator Ross Duffer told THR that although he could not “get into personal on-set matters,” the team deeply cared for the cast. “We’ve been doing this for 10 years with this cast, and at this point they’re family and we deeply care about them. Nothing matters more than having a set where everyone feels safe and happy.”

Director and executive producer Shawn Levy also addressed questions about bullying complaints. “You have to create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe, and so we did everything to build that environment.”

Levy added that he had read numerous stories about the controversy, saying they ranged from “wildly inaccurate” to general “noise,” but stressed that the production viewed the cast and crew as family.