Experts weigh in on Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour's premiere statement following bullying accusations

Experts have weighed in on the premiere statement made by Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour earlier this week.

This came following claims that the Eleven actor had accused her Stranger Things co-star of bullying and harassment.

The pair have of course appeared in the Netflix hit show since it began way back in 2016, with Harbour playing the fatherly role of Chief Jim Hopper.

But while there’s been so much excitement and anticipation after a long wait (and I mean, a longgggg wait) for this fifth and final season, it’s suddenly become somewhat clouded over with controversy surrounding cast members.

A lot of that heat has fallen on Harbour, with the recent release of his ex-wife Lily Allen’s West End Girl album making some brutal claims. And Bobby Brown’s accusations following shortly after created a bit of a blaze.

Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour’s premiere statement

It seems in an attempt to put out that fire, the two cast members spent time on the carpet together on Thursday night (7 November). Being photographed as a pair, sharing a hug and having a good laugh, it really seemed like a clear statement of ‘all is good in the hood’.

They also spoke highly of each other in interviews at the event with Bobby Brown saying: “I’ve obviously had a really special bond with David because we have a father and daughter relationship, and we do every scene together. You really get to see that in season five.”

Harbour also told Entertainment Tonight: "I adore her, I've been proud to watch all of them grow up to become such great artists.

"I doubt it'll be the last time we'll work together... This particular family and project has been so special and we've gotten to know each other so deeply, you rarely get to do this in this business."

Not long before the promo for this new Stranger Things season began, The Daily Mail alleged the 21-year-old had filed a ‘harassment and bullying claim’ against the 50-year-old before filming began last year. The outlet claimed there were ‘pages’ of allegations.

PR experts’ weigh in

With the pair appearing together at the premiere, it seemed a little like damage control for Harbour.

PR experts have suggested to Variety that the ‘choreography’ on the red carpet was aimed at sending a message that the cast is united. And coupling in the fact that the full cast appeared on the stage together at the cinema before the screening began, it was said to show that Stranger Things is bigger than just one person.

“The goal in these situations is to make it no worse,” a crisis PR exec said.

Sources also told the outlet that there was investigation into Brown’s complaint and it was resolved.

Response from the creators of Stranger Things

Directly addressing the allegations at the premiere, the show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, told The Hollywood Reporter: “Obviously, you understand I can’t get into personal on set 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.”

Shawn Levy, an executive producer and director on Stranger Things, also addressed the allegations, speaking somewhat more openly.

Levy stressed the importance of creating a ‘respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe’, stating they were proud that they had achieved this.

He went on to add: “I’ve read a bunch of stories and they range from wildly inaccurate to… there’s so much noise around it.

“But the truth is that we view this crew and this cast as family, and so we treat each other with respect, and that’s always been bedrock."

LADbible has reached out to representatives of David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown for comment.

Stranger Things returns to Netflix on 26 November.