The highly anticipated London premiere for the fifth series of Stranger Things took place on Thursday night, but one key face was conspicuously absent from the red carpet. David Harbour, who plays the beloved Chief Jim Hopper, was missing in action while his co-stars posed for photographs.
Where Was Chief Hopper?
The rest of the show's young cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, and Finn Wolfhard, were all present and united on the red carpet, leaving fans to question the whereabouts of the 50-year-old actor. His absence was particularly notable given that he had attended the Los Angeles premiere just a week earlier with Millie Bobby Brown.
That LA event saw the pair putting on a very public and 'over-the-top' friendly display for the cameras. This came shortly after it was revealed that Millie had filed formal harassment and bullying claims against Harbour. It is crucial to note that the complaints did not include any allegations of sexual impropriety, and the outcome of the subsequent investigation remains unknown.
A Possible Reason for the Absence
While some might speculate that Harbour is keeping a low profile due to personal matters, including the release of his estranged wife Lily Allen's new album which addresses his infidelity, a more practical reason has emerged. The actor was reportedly filming for the upcoming true crime thriller, Evil Genius, in New Jersey as recently as Tuesday.
Pictures from the set showed Harbour sporting a new look with grey hair and a beard, appearing almost unrecognisable. The film is being directed by Courteney Cox, and his filming commitments are a plausible explanation for his inability to travel to London for the premiere.
The Backstory and Ongoing Drama
The dynamic between Harbour and his on-screen daughter, Millie Bobby Brown, has been under intense scrutiny. A body language expert analysing their LA appearance suggested their interactions seemed like 'overkill-looking rituals' and a 'comedy double-act for the cameras'.
This professional tension unfolds against the backdrop of Harbour's separation from singer Lily Allen. Her new album, 'West End Girl', contains lyrics that directly reference his alleged affair, with one song repeatedly asking, 'Who the f*** is Madeline?' In a pointed move, Allen recently dressed as the children's book character Madeline for a Halloween party.
Meanwhile, the core cast of Stranger Things continues to promote the show's final season without one of its central figures. David Harbour has been a fundamental part of the series since its debut in 2016, with his character, Hopper, becoming Eleven's adoptive father. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both David Harbour and Netflix for comment.
