David Harbour has finally addressed the rumors that had been swirling around his relationship with ‘Stranger Things‘ co-star Millie Bobby Brown since last year. The actor revealed that a tabloid report accusing him of harassment had a serious impact on his mental health. Denying such blatant allegations, Harbour admitted that the aftermath left him struggling to cope.
The claims first surfaced in November 2025, when the Daily Mail reported that Brown had filed a complaint with “pages and pages” of bullying and harassment claims. It was right before production began on the Netflix show’s last season. The story quickly spread online, fueling rumors of a fallout between the actors. Read on to know what Harbour recently said about the slanderous reports.
David Harbour Pushes Back Against The Allegations
During an exclusive interview with Variety, Harbour addressed the malicious claims, rejecting the narrative that Brown had filed a harassment complaint against him. He acknowledged that the two occasionally disagreed during their decade working together.
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However, he said the media turned those routine disagreements into something inappropriate. “We [Bobby and Harbour] worked together for 10 years during her formative teenage years, playing father and daughter,” Harbour said.
“I don’t know if people have families and friends that you spend a lot of time with for 10 years—you occasionally get in arguments, disagreements.” Rather than describing those disagreements as a catalyst for a hostile working environment, the actor characterized them as a normal part of any long-term relationship.
According to Harbour, they worked through those disagreements by talking openly with one another. “It was just a simple rupture-and-repair thing that, once we cleared everybody out of the way and talked to each other, we’re fine,” he explained.
Later in the interview, Harbour also pointed to the pressures that come with working on a global hit series. “In families, it’s okay because you’re just in a disagreement, and then you come back together,” he said. “The problem with a billion-dollar show is that there’s just hundreds of people who want to get involved.”
The Story Triggered A Mental Health Crisis
Although Harbour has finally dismissed the allegations himself, the public reaction to the story proved far more difficult to handle. “I had a breakdown,” admitted the actor, who has previously spoken about living with bipolar disorder.
He stated that periods of intense stress can sometimes affect his behavior in ways that are difficult for him and those around him to understand. “I do suffer from some confusing stuff—it’s confusing as hell,” he explained.
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“I think a lot of people have a friend or a brother or a co-worker that deals with mental health stuff, and they’re probably pretty confused when that person gets depressed or gets manic or has an episode,” Harbour added.
“Under times of extreme stress, that can cause somewhat erratic behavior, and it’s embarrassing, and I’m ashamed of it. It’s not something I choose, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”
Moreover, Harbour described the timing of the original report by the Daily Mail as “weird,” noting that it appeared shortly after his ex-wife Lily Allen released ‘West End Girl,’ an album that included lyrics critical of him.
Millie Bobby Brown Says Their Relationship Remains Strong
Meanwhile, Millie Bobby Brown also addressed the situation in comments provided to Variety, offering a very different picture from the one presented in the tabloid report. “Over time, our relationship became much more collaborative creatively,” the actress said.
“When you work with someone for that many years, we could really push each other emotionally in scenes.” The actress expressed gratitude for the experience they shared while making ‘Stranger Things,’ a show she will always cherish.
Harbour echoed those feelings and suggested that their professional partnership is far from over. “Millie and I are working on several [projects],” he said. “You’ll see more of me and Millie—10 years wasn’t enough. There is a special bond there. I love her. She loves me.”
The pair also appeared together at the ‘Stranger Things 5’ premiere in Los Angeles, publicly shutting down rumors of a feud. Months later, both actors continue to insist that their decade-long bond remains intact despite headlines suggesting otherwise.
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