Stranger Things: David Harbour reflects on watching his younger co-stars grow up

His Stranger Things co-stars were just pre-teens when they all started working on their hit Netflix series, and David Harbor has opened up about watching the young actors come into their own as young adults.

Reflecting on the recent announcement that Millie Bobby Brown, 19, is engaged to her partner of nearly three years Jake Bongiovi, 20, the actor admitted it was an adjustment to see the cast making such big strides in their personal lives and career.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, the 48-year-old said, “I mean, though, it’s one of those things where you get a work experience with someone that’s deep and moving and life-changing, as it has been for all of us. .. and deeply that I feel when those people go off, it’s almost like a teacher and a student.’

Harbor explained how his role as a mentor in their lives began to change now that his co-stars were more independent: “It’s like you want to see that person perform and the less that person needs you, the better off they are.” am doing.

“It can hurt your ego to some extent. There’s something about that ride where I want to see all those kids perform and succeed and it’s not so much about continuing my relationship with them, it’s more about watching the younger generation fly.”

Stranger Things debuted on Netflix in 2016 and has continued to reach heights with its fan base, with season four breaking Netflix streaming records upon its release last year.

While the fifth and final season of the sci-fi horror was announced last February, a release date has yet to be set.

Previously, the show’s creators – Matt and Ross Duffer – confirmed in May that production on season five had been delayed by the Hollywood Writers’ strike.

However, Harbor will soon be seen on the big screen in his upcoming film, Gran Turismo – which is based on the popular video game of the same name.

The actor, who claims to be a video game enthusiast, shared his hopes that the film could continue the tradition of game adaptations successfully translating to the screen.

Speaking at the launch of Diablo IV earlier this month, he said, “Last of Us really kills it with real integrity. I just saw our movie and it’s just a real Neill Blomkamp filmmaker. And so you hire real filmmakers, and you make real movies and you don’t stoop to them. And I love it.

“I think the stories are in the games. The stories are rich and complex. The mythologies. In Gran Turismo it’s just a simulator, but because he’s such a great filmmaker, we were able to create a real, moving story. So I think people are ready for high-brow entertainment in this genre.”

He continued, “There’s something I feel like there’s still a stigma about them being for kids, but it’s like it’s an adult thing. These games are built with stories and mythologies that are very mature and very layered. I feel like that’s great for a movie.”

When asked if his wife of three years, British singer Lily Allen, was also an avid video game player, the actor laughed, “Hell no! No, I just have to go down to the basement with the lights dimmed. No, she’s not a video game person at all. However, she does not judge. She’s just confused by it.’

The actor then joked that the pair enjoy doing other things together before making a reference to their shared love of interior design.

Indeed, the couple – who tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2020 – recently went viral after giving fans a tour of their newly renovated Brooklyn mansion.