Stranger Things season five has finally arrived on Netflix, but the build-up to the show wasn't without its controversy, after it was reported that Millie Bobby Brown had accused David Harbour of bullying.
It was claimed by the Daily Mail that Bobby Brown had filed a bullying and harassment claim against her 50-year-old co-star, who portrays her adopted father Jim Hopper in the show.
As the cast returned to Hawkins for the final season, it was suggested that 'Eleven' always had personal representative on set as a result of the investigation into Harbour, who was going through a rough break-up with his ex-wife Lily Allen.
Naturally, all eyes were on the pair at the premiere in Los Angeles earlier this month but they both appeared in good spirits, with the show's co-creators also downplaying the rumours and emphasising the safe environment that they fostered on set.
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The Duffer brothers said: "Obviously, you understand I can’t get into personal onset matters, but I will say we’ve been doing this for 10 years with this cast, and at this point they’re family and we deeply care about them.
“So, you know, nothing matters more than just having a set where everyone feels safe and happy.”
And now, as Stranger Things once again shoots to the top of the Netflix charts, Brown has disputed previous reports by suggesting she always felt 'safe' while working with Harbour on the 80s-inspired sci-fi horror, despite the intense scenes that they often film together.
Speaking to Deadline, she said: "Of course I felt safe. I mean, we’ve worked together for 10 years. I feel safe with everyone on that set.
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“You naturally just… you know, you’ve been doing it for so long. We also play father and daughter so naturally, we have a closer bond than the rest because we have had some really intense scenes together, especially in season 2."
The 21-year-old, who had already shocked fans by revealing her real name, continued: “David and I have a great relationship, we work really closely together in the scenes and preparing for the scenes and I really am excited to see... for everyone to see the labour of love and hard work we’ve put into the closure of our relationship and what that looks like.
“To give some of the fans, especially the Hopper and Eleven fans, those scenes that I feel are going to be quite impactful. I love it. It makes me want to bring my A-game every single time I see that I’m on the call sheet working with him because I know he’s bringing it right back.”
Harbour has also previously spoken out about their relationship in the wake of the reported harassment claims, suggesting that he remains as close to Brown as ever.
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He told ET: "I adore her, and I’ve been proud to watch all them grow up and become great artists. I doubt it will be the last time we’ll see each other in this world or work together."
Stranger Things season five volume one is available to watch on Netflix now.
Topics: Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, Netflix
James Moorhouse