At the recent premiere of Stranger Things Season 5, stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour made a notable joint appearance amid ongoing allegations of bullying involving the two actors.

An unnamed crisis PR expert suggested to Variety on Friday, November 7, that their public appearance together was likely a strategic move to mitigate any further controversy. The expert emphasized that such actions are often intended to prevent the situation from escalating.

Brown, 21, and Harbour, 50, were seen embracing upon their arrival at the red carpet event on Thursday, November 6. They later posed for photographs alongside their fellow Stranger Things cast members, presenting a united front.

This red carpet moment follows reports of an alleged harassment investigation on the show’s set. Both Variety and The Daily Mail have detailed that Brown had lodged a complaint during the filming of Season 5, accusing Harbour of bullying behavior. Despite these serious claims, neither Brown, Harbour, nor Netflix have responded to inquiries from Us Weekly for comments.

The professional relationship between Stranger Things co-stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour is under scrutiny. Over the past decade, the pair have shared the screen as Eleven and her adoptive father, Jim Hopper, respectively, beginning when Brown was just 11 years old. As their offscreen relationship faces public examination, fans and media alike are keenly observing the developments.

During Thursday’s premiere, Brown and Harbour each gushed over their on-set bond. (Brown plays Eleven, who is the adopted daughter of Harbour’s Jim Hopper.)

“It’s been amazing,” Brown told Extra of reuniting with the Thunderbolts actor. “We’re so lucky to have each other. The show means so much to the both of us, and to everyone here. This has been the last 10 years of our lives.”

She continued, “I’ve been living every day like it’s the first day on set, and maybe that’s what’s made me hold onto every moment for dear life.”

As for Harbour, he told Entertainment Tonight that he’s been so “proud” to act alongside Brown through the years.

“I adore her, and I’ve been proud to watch all of them grow up and become such great artists,” Harbour told the outlet. “This particular project is so special, and we’ve gotten to know each other so deeply.”

Stranger Things producer and director Shawn Levy, for his part, denied any accusation of harassment when he walked the red carpet on Thursday.

Stars brought their A-game fashion to the Stranger Things season 5 premiere. Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Natalia Dyer and more channeled the Upside Down while striking a pose on the red carpet. Take Brown, for example, who served goth glam in a black Rodarte gown featuring an asymmetrical neckline adorned with plume, a sheer […]

“At the end of the day, that’s the job — you have to create a respectful workplace where everyone feels comfortable and safe,” Levy, 57, told The Hollywood Reporter. “We did everything to build that environment, and we’re proud of the fact that we did so.”

Levy further insinuated that the reports into Brown’s complaint were “wildly inaccurate.”

“There’s so much noise around it, but the truth is that we view this crew and this cast as family,” he said. “We treat each other with respect, and that’s always been [the] bedrock.”

Ahead of the harassment accusations, both Brown and Harbour spoke about their time filming together in respective magazine cover stories.

“They’re all pretty good kids. Maybe it’s just because I’m sober, I’m sure everyone’s doing them, but it just feels like kids are not as substance-abusive as my generation was,” Harbour told Esquire UK earlier this month. “One of the real ropes to hang on to in this business for me has been the artistry of what you’re doing.”

Growing up! Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo and the rest of the Stranger Things cast have evolved tremendously since the show began in 2016. The once relatively unknown actors burst into the Hollywood industry full speed ahead after the drama’s massive success. “I don’t think Netflix thought it was going to be as huge as […]

He continued, “There are things that are just so beyond your control — whether or not you get box office, or whether or not people like you. All of these things are way beyond your control. But one of the things that you can control is your particular passion for storytelling, for art, for what you want to say, your voice.”

Brown, for her part, had told Empire that Harbor “always looked out” on the set, starting in season 1.

“I always annoyed him like a daughter or younger sister,” she told the outlet. “I was always trying to climb all over him and he was always rolling his eyes and laughing at me. I think that’s kind of how the El and Hopper relationship really started to develop in the show — it was mirroring our actual lives and our actual relationship.” 

Stranger Things season 5 premieres on Netflix Wednesday, November 26.