With the fifth and final season of Stranger Things expected by the end of 2025, David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper, gives a lucid account of the adventure that brought him to public attention. While he says it was a significant experience, he also says he's relieved to finally turn the page.
The actor looks back on a decade marked by wear and tear
Interviewed by Scarlett Johansson for Interview Magazine (exclusive source), David Harbour reflected on the evolution of his relationship with the series. Enthusiastic at the beginning, he admits to having, over the years, felt a kind of exhaustion: "At first, I thought it was great. But my friends told me: 'You'll see, by season three or four, it will become routine.' And they were right." This repetition, combined with the demands of filming, pushed him to aspire to other types of roles. "You end up wondering if there are really new things left to tell. I want to think outside the box," he confides.
Despite this weariness, the actor remains attached to his character of Hopper, to the point of admitting that he can't bring himself to change his physical appearance until filming is finished. "I can't cut my hair or shave off this damn mustache," he jokes. He also mentions the strong bonds he's forged with the crew and the world of the series, which make emotional detachment more difficult than expected.
Between personal assessment and new horizons
The upcoming conclusion of Stranger Things represents a creative release for Harbour. In recent years, he's tried to diversify his roles, notably in Thunderbolts, which he filmed alongside the series. To recharge, he says he's also developed an unexpected passion: gardening, in his corner of Atlanta. "I grow tomatoes, strawberries... I'm like an old grandpa picking blueberries," he laughs.
The final season of Stranger Things, divided into three parts, will premiere on November 26, 2025, with two more episodes planned for Christmas and New Year's. According to statements from the Duffer brothers to Variety (source), the season required more than 650 hours of rush to produce eight episodes, which they compare to as many blockbusters. A finale that David Harbour seems eagerly awaiting, ready to close a chapter that has propelled him as much as it has tested him.
