Stranger Things Star Can’t Wait For The Show To End

Stranger Things star David Harbour says its time for the series to end.

By Britta DeVore | Updated

david harbour

Since playing the role of everyone’s favorite Sheriff and father-like figure on Netflix’s Stranger Things for four seasons over an almost eight-year time span, David Harbour is ready to hang up his hat, kick up his boots, and retire from being known as Jim Hopper. During a recent interview with Discussing Film, the Violent Night star said that while wrapping things up with the upcoming Stranger Things fifth season will be “bittersweet,” he’s ready and thinks that it’s “time [for the show] to end.” Appreciative of the gift that he was given through the Duffer Brothers’ production, Harbour said that he and the rest of the cast have “grown up” and are ready to “leave that nest and try other things and different projects.”

Looking back fondly on what would be a career-changing role, David Harbour said that when he and the rest of the team struck out to create the retro sci-fi series back in 2016 he “never ever wanted it to end,” adding that he would’ve still thought it was the best show around whether he was involved or not. But now, Harbour wants more for not only himself and his fellow actors, but also the duo behind the production – the Duffer Brothers. The actor said that he can’t wait to “see what [the Duffer Brothers] come up with next,” adding that the duo seems to ooze with talent, putting a unique spin and vision on every project they come into contact with.

While the twin brothers haven’t announced what adventure awaits them next, many members of the Stranger Things cast have their ducks all in a row. The sci-fi Netflix series was a jumping-off point for many of its leading cast members, with Millie Bobby Brown soon to be seen in Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s fantasy feature Damsel as well as Anthony and Joe Russo’s sci-fi flick The Electric State. Her cast members are also just as busy, with Finn Wolfhard appearing in A24’s fantasy feature The Legend of Ochi and David Harbour striking out on a slew of new projects as well. 

david harbour
Violent Night

Riding high off the success of his Christmas slasher feature Violent Night, David Harbour has quite a few irons in the fire to keep his fans happy with Stranger Things soon bowing out. For feature-length productions, the actor will soon be seen alongside the likes of Jennifer Coolidge, Anthony Mackie, and Tig Notaro in Netflix’s spooky comedy We Have a Ghost and will also appear later this year in Neill Blomkamp’s coming-of-age sports biographical drama Gran Turismo. On the series side of things, Harbour is signed on to star opposite Pedro Pascal in the dramatized true-crime show My Dentist’s Murder Trial

And then, of course, there’s David Harbour’s connection to the highly anticipated Thunderbolts feature that will see him hopping back into the MCU to reprise his role as Alexei Shostakov aka Red Guardian. His character was last seen in 2021’s Black Widow, and fans have been eager to see how the actor will fit into the comic-book-turned-film-franchise framework. 


As for Stranger Things Season 5, mum’s been the word surrounding when the big finale will drop onto Netflix. Following the record-smashing hit that Season 4 was, it’s safe to say that the final season will do just as well if not better. And, as David Harbour said, while it’s bittersweet to bid adieu to all the characters, we’re sure the gang will give the series a proper send-off.