Overview

• David Harbour disclosed he originally thought Jim Hopper should die by suicide in Season 1 as an act of atonement for his daughter's death.
• The Duffer Brothers chose to keep Hopper alive, despite calls for higher narrative stakes and a major death in the series.
• Hopper's apparent sacrifice in Season 3 and survival in Season 4 became pivotal moments, with the character enduring imprisonment in Russia.
• Harbour's raw portrayal of Hopper, including physical and emotional transformation, contributed to his career resurgence and Marvel Cinematic Universe roles.
• As 'Stranger Things' prepares to conclude with its fifth season in 2025, Harbour reflects on the evolving arc of Hopper and the show's global impact.