Duffer Brothers speak on Millie Bobby Brown-David Harbour bullying claims
The Stranger Things world premiere came with its fair share of revelations. While the Netflix stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour already squashed the alarming claims with no words and all smiles at the Los Angeles premiere, the Duffer Brothers responded to the ongoing allegations following the viral report.
Neither Netflix nor representatives for Brown and Harbour had responded to the queries about the report, which the Daily Mail published on Saturday, ahead of the fifth and final season. However, after being asked for comments on the bullying claims at the Stranger Things world premiere, co-creator Ross Duffer opened up to The Hollywood Reporter with his brother, Matt Duffer.
“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,” he said.
Stranger Things director and executive producer Shawn Levy was also asked about the handling of bullying claims on set and how the production ensures the safety of everyone concerned. Calling it their “job,” Levy said, “You have to create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe, so we did everything to build that environment.” If anything, he’s quite proud of the ambience they managed to create.
Speaking of the bullying reports, he further added, “I’ve read a bunch of stories and they range from wildly accurate 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.”
The report alleged that Brown had filed a “harassment and bullying” claim against the Thunderbolts* actor before production began on the fifth season of Stranger Things. It also reported that there were “pages and pages” of allegations, although the tabloid didn’t specify what the alleged accusations exactly were. It additionally said that Netflix had investigated the matter “for months.”
The claims came at a rather eyebrow-raising hour when the Stranger Things campaign was reaching new heights in anticipation of the final ride. While fans had their doubts regarding the authenticity of the claims, the fact that Brown and Harbour’s on-screen relationship has been just the opposite also made many follow up with questions about the truth claim.
Back in 2021, Harbour also shed light on his co-star, saying, “Millie and I have always had sort of a special relationship because I knew her when she was so young.” He conversed on the That Scene with Dan Patrick podcast, adding, “I knew her before any of this big fame hit… I have a real protective feeling for her. I have a real, like, worry. I worry about her and the fame and all that she has to struggle with.”
Earlier this year, Brown voiced her stance against online bullying amid The Electric State promotion and press tours. According to Today, she said, “I started in the industry when I was 10 years old. I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me. Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things season one. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”
With the Duffer brothers and Levy’s response on the matter, a lot has become clear; all that remains is the anticipation for what’s to come as Stranger Things prepares for a final ride with a three-part release starting November 26th.