Millie Bobby Brown reportedly filed a formal harassment and bullying complaint against her Stranger Things co-star David Harbour before production began on the series’ fifth and final season. The complaint was filed with production prior to filming starting in January of last year, according to reports from The Mail on Sunday.
Sources close to the matter revealed that the allegations contained “pages and pages” of accusations, leading to an extensive internal investigation by Netflix that lasted several months. A source stated, “Millie Bobby Brown filed a harassment and bullying claim before they started shooting the last season.”
The 21-year-old actress, who portrays the iconic character Eleven in the Netflix sci-fi series, reportedly submitted detailed documentation outlining instances of workplace mistreatment by Harbour, who plays her adoptive father Jim Hopper on the show. Notably, the allegations do not include any claims of sexual misconduct.
Netflix reportedly conducted a thorough internal inquiry following Brown’s complaint, though the streaming giant has declined to comment publicly on the investigation. According to sources, Netflix arranged for Brown to have her own personal representative present on set throughout the remainder of filming. One source told the media that Netflix’s refusal to deny the reports “speaks volumes,” adding that the investigation represented “a brutal time” for those involved.
The timing of these revelations is particularly significant as the entertainment industry continues to evolve in its approach to workplace conduct. One entertainment lawyer observed that Brown’s willingness to file a complaint “reflects how much the industry has shifted,” noting that the actress is “more than an actress; she’s also a producer, a brand, a huge star. She understands her own worth.”
Despite the reported tension, both Brown and Harbour have continued filming the final season of Stranger Things, though sources describe the atmosphere on set as “icy.” Neither Brown nor Harbour has publicly addressed the allegations, and Netflix has maintained its position of not commenting on internal investigations.
The reports emerge at a complicated time for Harbour, who recently separated from musician Lily Allen amid allegations of infidelity. Allen reportedly supported Harbour throughout the internal investigation despite their personal difficulties.
The first batch of episodes from Stranger Things‘ fifth and final season is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on November 26, followed by additional episodes on Christmas Day and a finale on New Year’s Eve. The series, which has been one of Netflix’s most successful original productions since its 2016 debut, made international stars of its relatively unknown young cast.
As the investigation’s findings remain confidential and no official statements have been issued by the involved parties, the full scope of the allegations and their resolution remains unclear. The situation highlights ongoing conversations about workplace dynamics and power structures within the entertainment industry, particularly concerning the treatment of young performers on major productions.
