David Harbour discussed his relationship with 'regret' in a bombshell interview before Lily Allen dropped her brutal break-up album.
The Stranger Things star, 50, appeared to delicately address the demise of his four-year marriage to the pop star just weeks before West End Girl was released.
Allen dropped her fifth album - which is laden with brutal lyrics that offer some context about their split - on 24 October, and she has since announced she's taking it on a UK tour.
To put it bluntly, the majority of the 14 tracks on West End Girl paint Harbour as a philanderer who allegedly had a three-year affair behind her back.
Advert
It gave fans quite the insight into what was going on behind closed doors ahead of the couple calling it quits in December last year.
Allen, 40, did admit that she used some artistic licence during the 'incredibly manic and emotionally traumatic' ten days she spent completing it in the studio, though, so don't take her lyrics too literally.
Now that the 'Madeline' singer has had her moment on the mic, focus has fallen on comments that Harbour made before the release of West End Girl.
The actor sat down with Esquire Spain in September to discuss the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, as well as how he's getting on personally and professionally.
Advert
Somewhat ironically, Harbour spoke of the importance of 'storytelling' and holding onto the 'artistry of what you're doing' during the chat - which appears to be a sentiment that his former wife also shares, given her latest album.
"There are things that are just so beyond your control - whether or not you get box office, or whether or not people like you," he said about working in the entertainment industry.
"All of these things are way beyond your control. But one of the things that you can control is your particular passion for storytelling, for art, for what you want to say, your voice. How you see the world."
The New York-born star also spoke about his perspective on love when asked about whether he would take on the role of a 'Romeo'.
"I think there are lovers and believers, then there are these darker, more cynical people," Harbour said. "I think the world is somewhat divided and I think we need each other.
Advert
"The fun thing is the balance. I think there are some people who just want to believe, and I'm always trying to get to what's really going on. To pick it apart - much to my credit and detriment in life. I don't think I'd want it any other way."
Arguably, the juiciest bit of Harbour's interview came when he reflected on turning 50 this year and if he would turn back the clock and 'change' things if he had the chance.
He explained that in this hypothetical scenario, it would be all or nothing for him.
"That's such a hard question - the question of regret, or something," Harbour responded. "I would change either everything or nothing.
Advert
"You either accept your path completely and realise that even the pain and the slip-ups and the mistakes are all part of the journey, and that there's truth and growth, wisdom and deeper empathy and connection in all that.
"It's kind of like a house of cards, the minute you try to change one thing, you kind of have to change it all."
The Violent Night actor explained that he channels both the highs and lows of his life into his roles, adding: "If you've never been through anything, what do you really have to offer?
"If I were to change anything, I'd change everything, and just make my life happy and silly and like, whatever, and then I wouldn't be an artist anymore. And that would suck."
Looking to the future, work-wise, Harbour said he hopes to continue telling 'complex and rich' stories on screen.
Advert
He then said that there is also 'personal stuff that he wants to do' and 'people that he wants to love, and be good to and nurture, things like that'.
Topics: David Harbour, Lily Allen, Music, TV and Film, Celebrity, Sex and Relationships, Celebrity News
Olivia Burke