The highly anticipated Stranger Things: The Final Season Celebration in New York City was missing two of its biggest stars this Thursday. Lead actors Millie Bobby Brown, 21, and David Harbour, 50, were both noticeably absent from the event held at the Paley Museum, where the rest of the core cast gathered to mark the upcoming conclusion of the Netflix phenomenon.
Explanations for the Double Absence
Reasons for the no-shows appear to be separate. A spokesperson for the Paley Center informed People magazine that Harbour's absence was due to a 'scheduling conflict.' However, this follows a report from TMZ over the weekend alleging the actor was involved in a minor altercation at a gastropub in Encinitas, California.
The outlet claims Harbour was captured on video snatching a man's hat outside the Encinitas Ale House on Saturday, with a source suggesting the actor, who is open about managing bipolar disorder, may have been under stress. No physical fight occurred.
Meanwhile, Millie Bobby Brown's absence follows a recent injury. Earlier in the week, she missed a scheduled Good Morning America appearance, joining via video link to explain she had taken a fall and injured her arm, which was seen in a sling.
Cast Unity Amidst Past Tensions
The absence comes just weeks after Brown and Harbour publicly presented a united front at the Los Angeles premiere in early November. This display followed exclusive reports by The Daily Mail that Brown had previously filed 'pages and pages' of bullying and harassment claims against her co-star prior to filming the final season. The outcome of any investigation remains unknown.
In a subsequent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Brown insisted the pair were on good terms. 'We love this show with everything, and we value our friendship more than anything,' she stated, emphasising their decade-long working relationship.
Who Attended the New York Celebration?
The event was far from empty, with a significant portion of the Hawkins crew turning out to celebrate. Attendees on the red carpet included:
- Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin)
- Finn Wolfhard (Mike)
- Charlie Heaton (Jonathan)
- Natalia Dyer (Nancy)
- Maya Hawke (Robin)
- Joe Keery (Steve)
- Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas)
- Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna)
They were joined happily by the show's creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, for photos and a special screening.
Harbour, who plays the beloved Chief Jim Hopper, and Brown, who stars as the powerful Eleven, have been central to the show's success since its 2016 debut. Their characters' father-daughter dynamic is a cornerstone of the series, making their joint absence from a key promotional event particularly conspicuous. Representatives for Harbour and the Paley Center did not immediately respond to The Daily Mail's request for further comment.
