The Stranger Things season 5 press tour has been in full swing since Monday, but Netflix is steering clear of one controversial topic — a viral report claiming Millie Bobby Brown accused co-star David Harbour of on-set bullying.
Despite the rumours, Brown and Harbour appeared cheerful together at the show’s world premiere in Los Angeles on Thursday evening.
When asked about the allegations, co-creator Ross Duffer told The Hollywood Reporter alongside his brother Matt, “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.”
Director and executive producer Shawn Levy added, “At the end of the day, that’s the job. You have to create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe, and so we did everything to build that environment. And we’re proud of the fact that we did so.”
He continued, “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.”
Neither Netflix nor representatives for Brown and Harbour have commented on the report, which originated from a U.K. tabloid. The story alleged that Brown, 21, filed a harassment and bullying complaint against Harbour, 50, before filming began on the fifth and final season, and that Netflix investigated for several months.
No sexual misconduct claims were included, but Brown was reportedly accompanied by a personal representative during filming, which wrapped in December.
The timing is especially sensitive as Netflix launches a massive promotional push for the final season of the hit series. On-screen, Brown’s Eleven and Harbour’s Hopper share a father-daughter bond that blends tension and tenderness.
Harbour previously said on the That Scene with Dan Patrick podcast, “Millie and I have always had sort of a special relationship because I knew her when she was so young… I have a real protective feeling for her.”
Brown has spoken out before about bullying, posting an emotional video in March condemning online harassment. “I started in this industry when I was 10 years old,” she said. “I grew up in front of the world… This isn’t journalism. This is bullying.”
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will debut in three parts: Part 1 on November 26, Part 2 on December 25, and the feature-length finale on December 31.