David Harbour’s Idea For Hopper Would Have Completely Changed Stranger Things Season 5 & I’m Glad It Didn’t Happen

Of all the strong-willed and well-written characters on the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, I think Jim Hopper (David Harbour) is one of the most endearing and engaging. After losing his daughter Sara to cancer, Hopper is living a miserable life in Hawkins, Indiana. He finds a new purpose when he meets Jane, whose new friends give her the name Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Hopper and Eleven’s bond is charming, and they both become more comfortable sharing their emotions and being honest as they spend more time together.

David Harbour recently gave an interview when he shared his thoughts on Hopper’s character arc, and as I look forward to Stranger Things season 5, which will arrive in 2025, I’m happy this idea didn’t come to fruition.

David Harbour Thought Jim Hopper Would Die In Stranger Things Season 1, But That Would Have Been A Problem For Stranger Things Season 5

In an interview with British GQ in April 2025, David Harbour explained that he thought Hopper should die at the conclusion of Stranger Things season 1 because then he would say he was sorry to his daughter Sara. The actor talked about how fans were worried Hopper died at the end of Stranger Things season 3 because he was captured. Harbour said:

I’m definitely glad that Hopper survived in both seasons 1 and 3 that Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and Murray Barlett (Brett Gelman) saved him. I think Hopper’s death would been a problem for Stranger Things season 5 because there’s so much more that he should accomplish. I want Hopper and Joyce to remain together by the end of the series. I also want Hopper to help Eleven battle Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). Since Hopper is such an important character who tries to do the right thing and who feels burdened by his tragic past, I want to see him gain confidence and pride by helping save Hawkins. If Hopper died before he got the opportunity to take care of Eleven and find a new family, or to be a useful part of the fight against Vecna, that would have been a shame.

It’s hard to imagine Stranger Things season 5 without this integral character, or to think that he wouldn’t have been part of seasons 1 through 4, either. Hopper’s season 4 arc may have felt slow and drawn out at times, and some fans might wish that it had been cut down. I can understand some of that criticism, but I also think that by the time Stranger Things season 4 ends, Hopper’s storyline feels powerful, meaningful, and scary. I loved watching him fight the demogorgon and want to see him apply that energy in season 5.

Fans are undeniably excited for Stranger Things season 5, and the actors have been sharing their thoughts on the series finale for a while now. It sounds like David Harbour is a huge fan of how everything wraps up. According to PEOPLE, in a 2024 interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he said:

Harbour also called the finale “satisfying,” which is definitely exciting to hear. Like many fans, I have mixed emotions about the Stranger Things series finale. While I don’t want the series to end and it’s going to be tough to say goodbye to Hawkins, the Upside Down, and the Party, I’m looking forward to seeing how the Duffer Brothers decided to conclude the popular show.

Stranger Things

Release Date

2016 – 2025-00-00

Showrunner

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Writers

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Paul Dichter, Kate Trefry

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