David Harbour, the Emmy and Tony-nominated actor synonymous with his role as Jim Hopper in the global phenomenon Stranger Things, recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for an in-depth conversation on their Awards Chatter podcast. The interview, conducted at THR‘s Los Angeles offices, offered a rare glimpse into Harbour’s reflections on his meteoric rise to fame, the psychological toll of both struggle and success, and his ambitious new endeavors beyond the Upside Down.
Harbour, who has garnered two Emmy nominations for his portrayal of the gruff but tenderhearted police chief, has expanded his accolades with two recent nominations for his work on the HBO limited series DTF St. Louis. This project, co-starring Jason Bateman, presents a stark departure from the supernatural thrills of Stranger Things, delving into the lives of two friends grappling with profound existential crises in contemporary middle America. The show, described as unusually dark, humorous, and deeply moving, marks a significant artistic pivot for the actor.
The Crucible of Struggle and the Price of Fame
At 51, Harbour candidly discussed the abrupt transition from a decades-long period of financial precarity to the pinnacle of television stardom. The disparity between barely making ends meet and headlining one of the most popular series worldwide has profoundly impacted his mental well-being.
"I wonder about mental illness sometimes, whether it’s an actual disease, as they say, or whether it’s a recidivist condition like homelessness or something," Harbour mused during the podcast. He elaborated on the complex relationship between financial stability and mental health, noting, "It comes with certain components that feel like a disease, for sure. I still think I’m mentally ill even though I have more money!" He acknowledged the common sentiment that poverty itself can exacerbate or even induce psychological distress, quoting the idea that "the greatest sin in America is poverty." The stress of basic survival, he explained, can have a tangible impact on one’s nervous system.
Harbour also touched upon the inherent challenges of an artistic life, suggesting that the pursuit of creative expression often involves venturing into "territories that other people don’t have to go to." He recalled a childhood argument with his father about the romanticized notion of artistic suffering, citing Vincent van Gogh as an example. While his father questioned the desirability of a "tortured life," Harbour, even as a teenager, felt a pull towards the intensity that fueled such artistic genius. This perspective offers insight into his willingness to explore complex and emotionally demanding roles.
Navigating the Industry: New York Roots and Hollywood Realities
The conversation also delved into Harbour’s long-standing relationship with the acting profession and the contrasting landscapes of New York and Los Angeles. He confessed to moments of self-doubt regarding his place in Hollywood, stating, "There were times when I was like, ‘I don’t know if this town [L.A.] wants me or what I have to give.’" New York, conversely, has consistently felt more receptive to his unique talents, with many of his significant career advancements stemming from his theatrical work in the city.
"I’ve never thought about giving up acting, but in terms of my relationship to movies and TV and to the town? I’ve never thought I was sort of pretty enough to do it. I’ve never thought I looked good on film. I’ve always thought I looked weird," Harbour admitted, underscoring a persistent insecurity that belies his current status as a screen icon. This vulnerability highlights the internal battles many actors face, even those who achieve widespread recognition.
The Unforeseen Ascent of Stranger Things
Harbour recounted the serendipitous timing of Stranger Things arriving in his life just as his previous NBC series, State of Affairs, was cancelled. "I was 40 and I needed to scrape together some money," he revealed, emphasizing the practical necessity that accompanied this pivotal career moment. Upon reading the script for Stranger Things, he recognized its exceptional quality but harbored no illusions about his chances of being cast. "I really thought it was fantastic – so immediately I was like, ‘There’s no way they’re going to cast me.’"
The initial reception of Stranger Things by Netflix itself was, by Harbour’s account, far from indicative of its future success. He humorously recounted the modest premiere party for the first season, which took place in a Los Feliz bar. "It was some place in Los Feliz that was like a bar, and we were showing it to a couple people, and then Netflix, to throw us a bone, dressed a couple people as lab technicians with rubber gloves to walk around and scare people," he recalled. This low-key affair contrasted sharply with the lavish premieres typically associated with major network productions, leading Harbour to believe that Netflix underestimated the show’s potential. "I think they didn’t know what they had," he stated, while acknowledging Netflix’s later claims of a "sophisticated stealth marketing" strategy.
The overnight transformation from relative anonymity to global stardom was a disorienting experience for Harbour. He described a stark contrast between the typical evening after a play, where a few appreciative fans might await him at the stage door, and the immediate aftermath of Stranger Things‘ release. "This time, it was Saturday night, and there were 20 people waiting for me… They were like, ‘We just saw this show [Stranger Things].’ And then Sunday night there were like 50 people waiting for me," he explained. The realization that his audience had shifted from theater patrons to fans of the Netflix series, many of whom hadn’t even seen the play, was a profound moment. "I was like, ‘Oh, my God, what is happening? I think I’m still digesting it,’" he admitted.
Evolving with the Upside Down: A Decade of Stranger Things
Over the course of Stranger Things‘ five seasons, spanning approximately a decade, Harbour’s relationship with the character of Jim Hopper and the show itself has naturally evolved. He acknowledged that personal growth and shifting artistic interests inevitably influence an actor’s engagement with material. While he wasn’t a producer on the earlier seasons, he actively contributed by sending "ideas emails" to the creators, which he humorously suspects were met with mixed reactions. "It’s like, ‘Oh, here’s the David’s ideas email.’" This indicates a level of creative investment that extended beyond his on-screen performance.
The longevity of Stranger Things has allowed Harbour to witness and participate in the maturation of the series and its young cast. His role as a father figure to Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven has extended beyond the fictional narrative, forging a genuine and deep bond.
A New Chapter: DTF St. Louis and the Exploration of Modern Masculinity
Harbour’s decision to lead DTF St. Louis as his first major post-Stranger Things project was a deliberate move to explore new artistic territory. "I wanted to work with adults as opposed to children," he stated, a clear nod to the younger cast of his breakout series. Furthermore, he expressed a desire to step away from the genre-heavy narratives that have defined much of his recent work. "I’m so in the genre world – I’ve got Stranger Things, I’ve got Marvel, I’ve got Doctor Doom, and world-ending events," he explained.
The appeal of DTF St. Louis lay in its grounded realism and focus on the "spectre of middle-age, like a belly." Harbour sought to portray "very ordinary people and show extraordinary lives just in that framework." This aspiration to explore the nuances of everyday existence and the complexities of modern masculinity resonated deeply with him. He drew inspiration from the thematic depth of The White Lotus, particularly its incisive commentary on human behavior and societal dynamics. "What are we doing in civilization? What are we Americans doing?" he pondered, reflecting on the show’s ability to provoke such introspective questions.
The critical acclaim and numerous accolades bestowed upon DTF St. Louis, including 13 nominations across various categories at the TV Academy Awards, have been particularly gratifying for Harbour. "The fact that there were 13 nominations across the board for this show? And all the acting in it got nominated? It’s just like an embrace of us in a way that I really appreciate," he said, expressing his profound gratitude for the recognition. He is embracing this moment of appreciation while simultaneously signaling his readiness for future projects.
The Future Beckons: A Spy Thriller Reunion with Millie Bobby Brown
Looking ahead, Harbour has exciting plans for a reunion with Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown. The duo has sold a spy-thriller series to Netflix, written by Jack Thorne, known for his work on Enola Holmes. Harbour described the project as "brilliant" and an idea that emerged from a collaboration between himself, Jack Thorne, and A24.
"She’s a partner. She’s someone I love, and who loves me," Harbour stated warmly, emphasizing the depth of their relationship forged over years of working together. He highlighted their shared desire to explore new artistic avenues and their mutual understanding as artists navigating the complexities of fame. "She’s just a huge star, so she hasn’t given up anything, but I think she’s searching for what she wants to say as an artist, as opposed to with all the brands and all the things," he observed about Brown’s current career phase.
Harbour sees their continued collaboration as a way to serve the passionate fanbase that connected with the dynamic between Hopper and Eleven. "I think there’s something that we have to serve audiences with still, especially that fanbase of Hopper and 11, which was such a dynamic thing," he explained. The prospect of exploring new narrative landscapes with Brown, leveraging their established chemistry and mutual respect, is a significant source of excitement for the actor. The series aims to build upon the legacy of their iconic partnership while forging a new identity for them as performers. The implications of this reunion are significant, offering a fresh opportunity for both actors to demonstrate their evolving artistic capabilities and for fans to witness a beloved on-screen duo in a completely new context.
Leave a Reply