On November 7, 2025, Millie Bobby Brown stood on the red carpet at the Stranger Things Season 5 premiere and didn’t just tease the final season—she opened up about the most personal part of her journey: growing up on set with David Harbour. In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight reporter Denny Directo, Brown didn’t hold back. "It’s the most positive experience," she said. "It naturally just falls back into being the little kid who loves to play hide-and-seek on the set. That’s really special." And then came the line that stopped everyone: "Well, I know it’s on Netflix, but most of my childhood is on Netflix at this point. Very, very honest. I love it, though." The moment wasn’t just nostalgic—it was raw. Brown, now 21, has spent nearly half her life playing Eleven, the quiet, telekinetic girl with a haunted past. And for eight years, David Harbour has been the gruff, whiskey-drinking, heart-of-gold cop who became her on-screen father—and, by all accounts, her real-life anchor. "I have a really special bond with David," Brown told Directo. "We have a father-daughter relationship. We do every scene together, and you’ll really get to see that in Season Five."
The Evolution of a Bond
When Brown was 12, she auditioned for a Netflix show no one expected to become a global phenomenon. She didn’t know then that David Harbour, then 41, would become the steady presence in her life during those formative years. Harbour, a seasoned stage and screen actor with a career spanning Broadway and indie films, didn’t just play Jim Hopper—he became a surrogate dad. He showed her how to navigate fame, how to say no to overwork, how to laugh when things got weird on set. "He’s the reason I didn’t burn out," Brown once told a magazine in 2020. Now, she’s saying it publicly, on camera, in front of the world. The bond wasn’t scripted. It grew in quiet moments: Harbour bringing her snacks between takes, helping her with math homework during breaks, calling her "my girl" when the cameras stopped rolling. Their on-screen chemistry? It’s not acting. It’s memory. When Hopper sacrifices himself in Season 3, it wasn’t just a plot twist—it was Brown’s first real taste of grief. She didn’t cry on set. She cried in Harbour’s arms after the final take.Netflix’s Final Countdown
The Stranger Things Season 5 premiere marked the end of an era. The series, created by the Duffer Brothers, began in July 2016 with a single season that rewrote the rules of streaming. Now, after 67 episodes and 128 days of filming for Season 5 alone, Netflix is closing the door with a deliberate, emotional rollout. Volume 1 drops on November 26, 2025, with nine episodes. Volume 2 follows on December 25, 2025, two episodes that feel like a quiet exhale. And then—on December 31, 2025—the finale. One last episode. One last hug between Eleven and Hopper. This isn’t just a season finale. It’s a cultural punctuation mark. The show launched when Brown was a child and ends as she steps into adulthood. Netflix, headquartered in Los Gatos, California, has never released a final season this way: three staggered drops, like a slow goodbye. The strategy? Let fans savor it. Let them mourn.
Who Else Was There?
Brown didn’t just thank Harbour. She mentioned Winona Ryder—Joyce Byers, the fiercely protective mom—and "the kids," a group that includes Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp. They’ve all grown up together. They’ve shared birthdays, school closures, heartbreaks, and triumphs—all under the watchful lens of Netflix. Brown’s comment about her childhood being "on Netflix" isn’t hyperbole. It’s a fact. Eight years. Sixty-seven episodes. A generation of fans who grew up with her.
What Comes After?
Brown has already hinted at bigger roles—film projects, producing gigs, even directing. But Season 5 isn’t just the end of Eleven. It’s the end of a chapter where she was defined by a role. Now, she’s stepping out from behind the shaved head, the lab coat, the silence. And Harbour? He’s not retiring. But he’s done with Hawkins. "I’ll miss that guy," he told fans last month. "He changed me." The final scene of Season 5? Brown says it’s "the most honest thing we’ve ever done." And if you’ve watched the show since the beginning, you already know what that means. It won’t be loud. It won’t be explosive. It’ll be quiet. Just a father and daughter, sitting on a porch, not needing words.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Millie Bobby Brown’s childhood on ‘Stranger Things’ shape her career?
Brown began filming at age 12 and spent eight years on set, appearing in 67 episodes across five seasons. The consistent work gave her rare industry experience, but the emotional support from co-stars like David Harbour helped her avoid burnout. She’s since transitioned into producing and film roles, crediting the show for teaching her discipline, resilience, and how to lead on set.
Why is the release schedule for Season 5 unusual?
Netflix split Season 5 into three releases—Volume 1 on November 26, Volume 2 on December 25, and the finale on December 31—to extend fan engagement and create a sense of closure. This mirrors how HBO handled the final seasons of ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Succession,’ using staggered drops to build anticipation and emotional weight rather than overwhelming viewers all at once.
What’s the significance of David Harbour’s character, Jim Hopper, in the series?
Hopper evolved from a gruff police chief into a deeply protective father figure, especially for Eleven. His arc—from grief-stricken loner to selfless guardian—mirrored Brown’s own growth. Their relationship became the emotional core of the series, with writers tailoring storylines to reflect their real-life bond. Harbour has called Hopper "the most meaningful role of my career."
Will Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour work together again?
Neither has confirmed a future project, but Harbour has said he’d "jump at the chance" to work with Brown again. Brown, now 21, is focused on expanding her production company, which recently optioned a young adult novel. While a reunion isn’t planned, the door remains open—especially given their deep personal connection.
How did Netflix’s global success impact Brown’s life outside of acting?
The show made Brown a global icon by age 14, leading to brand deals, magazine covers, and a role in ‘Enola Holmes.’ But it also meant her adolescence was constantly documented. She’s spoken about the pressure of being watched, yet she credits the show for giving her financial independence and creative control early on—something few child actors ever achieve.
What does the December 31 finale mean for fans of the show?
The finale isn’t just the end of a show—it’s the end of a cultural moment. ‘Stranger Things’ defined 2010s nostalgia and shaped how a generation viewed family, friendship, and resilience. For many, the final episode will feel like saying goodbye to a second family. Netflix has said there are no spin-offs planned, making this truly the last chapter.