David Harbour, Noah Schnapp, and Millie Bobby Brown shared reflections on 'Stranger Things' Season 5 in recent interviews. Harbour discussed the show's impact on his career and Hopper's character evolution, while Schnapp and Brown detailed the de-aging process for flashback scenes. Production on the final season wrapped in 2024, with new details emerging about its creative challenges and technical feats.
Career Impact and Character Evolution
David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper, reflected on how 'Stranger Things' transformed his life since joining at age 41. Prior to the Netflix series, Harbour enjoyed a steady career in theater and supporting roles in films like 'Quantum of Solace' and TV shows such as 'The Newsroom.' The global success of the show, which began production in fall 2015, elevated him to leading man status, opening doors to projects including the 2019 'Hellboy' reboot, 2022's 'Violent Night,' and Marvel's Red Guardian in 'Black Widow' (2021), 'Thunderbolts*' (2025), and 'Avengers: Doomsday' (2026). He noted the pros of fame, like a broader fanbase, but also cons, such as losing the 'freedoms' of early seasons due to higher stakes and audience expectations. 'It ripped apart the whole conception of what I would be,' Harbour said.
Hopper's arc has evolved from a scrappy outsider in Season 1 to a protective father in Season 2, an '80s detective in Season 3, and a 'gaunt, brutal, resurrected warrior' in Season 4. For Season 5, Harbour described a collaborative process with creators Matt and Ross Duffer to explore new facets, emphasizing the show's shift toward empathy, even for villains like Vecna. He praised the Duffers' growth from 'greener' filmmakers to precise storytellers who blend character and plot seamlessly, drawing on archetypes from 'Star Wars' and 'Lord of the Rings.'
De-Aging for Flashbacks
Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown discussed digital de-aging for Season 5's opening flashback, featuring a young Will Byers trapped in the Upside Down. Using body double Luke Kokotek and VFX by Lola VFX, Schnapp's face was superimposed to recreate his 11-year-old portrayal, humming The Clash's 'Should I Stay or Should I Go.' Schnapp, who directed the young actor, found it 'fun' to reflect on his early performance: 'It was fun to step into those director shoes.' Brown, who underwent similar de-aging in Season 4 using Martie Blair, shared directing tips and the introspective process: 'It taught me a lot about what I did.' Both actors highlighted the challenges of making CGI seamless while evoking Season 1's raw energy.
These insights come amid post-production on Season 5, with Harbour already filming upcoming projects like HBO's 'DTF St. Louis' and a 'Violent Night' sequel, both slated for 2026.