David Harbour: Sex scandals, ‘ex’ scandals and Stranger Things | Daily Podcast

Key Concepts

• David Harbour's Career Trajectory: From a "jobbing actor" to a household name via Stranger Things.
• Lily Allen's Album "West End Girl": A chronicle of her marriage breakdown with David Harbour, blending fact and fiction.
• Allegations of Bullying: Claims of harassment by Millie Bobby Brown against David Harbour on the Stranger Things set.
• Public Perception and Fan Impact: How recent events might affect fans' views of David Harbour, particularly female fans and fans of Lily Allen.
• "All Publicity is Good Publicity" Debate: Whether the current controversies could inadvertently boost interest in Stranger Things.

David Harbour's Career and Public Persona

David Harbour, born in 1975, began his acting career in his late teens and early twenties. His initial breakthrough came with a Broadway role in a remake of The Rain Maker, which garnered him attention and led to him becoming a "jobbing actor." He was recognizable but not a major star, often described as "one of those faces that you go, do you know what, I have seen him somewhere."

Harbour has been open about personal struggles, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, addiction issues, and childhood experiences that led to him being medicated for years. This openness, shared in interviews like one on Mark Maron's WTF podcast in 2018, set him apart.

Prior to his major breakthrough, Harbour appeared in notable productions such as Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom as a presenter and reporter, and in major films like James Bond: Quantum of Solace, Brokeback Mountain, and The Green Hornet. In these roles, he was often cast as a supporting character, like a CIA agent, where his presence was recognized but he wasn't a front-page celebrity.

Breakthrough with Stranger Things

Harbour's career was "completely transformed" by his role as Jim Hopper in Netflix's Stranger Things. The show, released when Netflix was beginning to establish itself as a major content producer, became a "behemoth of a hit," reportedly their third most-watched original show at the time.

• Nostalgia and Sci-Fi Blend: The show's success is attributed to its unique combination of 1980s nostalgia (soundtrack, graphics, aesthetic) and science fiction, creating a "futuristic/past kind of combination."
• Propelled Stars: Stranger Things propelled its stars, particularly David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown, from relative obscurity to household names almost overnight. Winona Ryder, already an established star, was also part of the cast.
• Hopper's Character: Harbour's portrayal of Hopper, the "reticent father figure" and "lovable rogue," resonated with audiences. His on-screen charisma and likability were noted as reasons for his brilliance in these roles.
• Awards Recognition: Harbour received award nominations, including Emmys and Golden Globes, and the Stranger Things cast won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) ensemble award. This win was significant as it marked a time when awards bodies were sometimes "sniffy" about streaming service hits.

Relationship with Lily Allen and Album Release

David Harbour met Lily Allen around 2019. Their relationship became public after they were spotted together and then photographed kissing. They married in September 2020, a year after their relationship became public. Their wedding was in Las Vegas during COVID-19, with just them and their children, officiated by an Elvis impersonator. The photos, showing them in a mini-dress, eating burgers, were seen as a positive celebrity story during a difficult time.

Lily Allen, a prominent British star who has been in the public eye since her teenage years, and Harbour, a major US movie star, were seen as an interesting pairing, with considerable goodwill from fans.

However, cracks began to appear, often noticed by fans before any official announcement. Allen was seen not wearing her wedding ring on her podcast, and rumors of her being on the celebrity dating app Raya emerged.

"West End Girl" Album

Lily Allen's fifth album, West End Girl, released recently, chronicles the breakdown of her marriage with David Harbour. The album, which entered the UK top five, is described by Allen as a collection of "fact and fiction."

• Narrative Arc: The album reportedly tells a story from meeting a man, falling in love, moving to the US, and then facing marital issues.
• Key Themes:
  • A track titled "West End Girl" depicts her telling her partner about winning a lead role in a London play, to which he responds dismissively, suggesting she should have auditioned. This is presented as a turning point.
  • The album includes stories about discussions of an "open marriage" and an "arrangement" with specific parameters, such as the partner not sleeping with anyone they already knew.
  • An imagined text message conversation between Allen and someone she suspects her partner has been sleeping with is also featured.
• Portrayal of Harbour: While acknowledging the blend of fact and fiction, the album portrays the male figure as a "cheat, a sex addict, someone who diminishes his partner in so many ways."

David Harbour's Response

David Harbour has not responded directly to the album's content. In a recent interview with Esquire Spain, when asked if he would change anything about his life now that he is turning 50, he replied, "I would change either everything or nothing." He elaborated that this means accepting one's path completely, including pain and mistakes, as part of a journey of growth and connection. This response was described as "vague" and "clever," offering no specific insight into his feelings about the marriage or the album.

Allegations of Bullying on Stranger Things Set

In addition to the marital issues, allegations of bullying have surfaced regarding David Harbour's conduct on the Stranger Things set. The Mail on Sunday reported that Harbour was facing an internal inquiry after his young co-star, 21-year-old Millie Bobby Brown, filed a complaint about his behavior towards her.

• Nature of Allegations: The claims are described as "bullying and harassment," not sexual impropriety.
• Lack of Details: The full details of the inquiry and its outcome are not publicly known.
• Public Appearance: Notably, at the Stranger Things premiere, Harbour and Brown were pictured greeting each other "very happily," suggesting that if there was an issue, they were presenting a united front. Both are described as professionals who understand the public's gaze.

Impact on Harbour's Career and Stranger Things

The recent events have raised questions about the impact on David Harbour's career and public perception.

Fan Perception

• Instant Impact: The immediate impact is likely to be a change in how some fans, particularly women and fans of Lily Allen, perceive him.
• Disappointment: Fans who were invested in Harbour, especially those who related to his character Hopper, might feel "let down" and "disappointed." The feeling is that he has let himself down, and by extension, his fans.

Stranger Things Promotion and Future

• Timing: The timing of these controversies is significant, as Netflix prepares to promote the final season of Stranger Things, a season where Harbour was expected to be a major part of the promotional strategy.
• "All Publicity is Good Publicity" Argument: A cynical view suggests that the increased attention, even negative, could remind people of the upcoming series and potentially boost viewership.
• Netflix's Perspective: It is speculated that there have been "difficult conversations" at Netflix HQ regarding the press tours.
• Resilience of the Show: Despite Harbour's importance, Stranger Things is an ensemble show with many other significant elements, including the Duffer Brothers. It is believed that the series can "weather any storm around one person" due to its broad appeal and the anticipation for the final season.
• Harbour's Future: For David Harbour, his future remains a "TBC" (to be confirmed). He is expected to be asked about West End Girl and his marriage in future interviews. The impact on his career will depend on how he handles these situations and what further information emerges.

Conclusion

David Harbour, a once "jobbing actor" who found massive fame with Stranger Things, is currently navigating a period of significant public scrutiny. The release of his ex-wife Lily Allen's album West End Girl, which details their marital breakdown, and allegations of bullying on the Stranger Things set, have cast a shadow over his public image. While the album's narrative is a blend of fact and fiction, it portrays the male figure negatively, potentially alienating some fans. The bullying allegations, though unconfirmed in their full details, add another layer of concern.

The immediate impact is likely to be a shift in fan perception, particularly among women and Lily Allen's fanbase. For Stranger Things, the show's strong ensemble cast and the anticipation for its final season suggest it can likely withstand any controversy surrounding one individual. However, for David Harbour himself, the coming months will be crucial in determining how these events shape his career and public standing, with future interviews expected to address these sensitive topics. The adage "all publicity is good publicity" may or may not hold true in this complex situation.