Summary
Of all the strong-willed and well-written characters on the hitNetflixseriesStranger Things, I thinkJim 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 meetsJane, 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 heshared his thoughts on Hopper’s character arc, and as I look forward toStranger Thingsseason 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 withBritish GQin April 2025, David Harbour explained that he thought Hopper should die at the conclusion ofStranger Thingsseason 1 because then he would say he was sorry to his daughter Sara. The actor talked about how fans wereworried Hopper died at the end ofStranger Thingsseason 3because he was captured. Harbour said:
“I think they were just committed to the beauty of that moment of his death. It was so moving that I think they almost didn’t want him to be alive.”
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 thinkHopper’s death would been a problem forStranger Thingsseason 5because there’s so much more that he should accomplish. I wantHopper and Joyce to remain together by the end of the series. I also want Hopper to help Elevenbattle 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 imagineStranger Thingsseason 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 timeStranger Thingsseason 4 ends,Hopper’s storyline feels powerful, meaningful, and scary. I loved watching him fight the demogorgonand want to see him apply that energy in season 5.
David Harbour Has Commented Several Times On The Stranger Things Season 5 Finale
Fans are undeniably excited forStranger Thingsseason 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 toPEOPLE, in a 2024 interview on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast, he said:
“They land the plane, and it is the best episode they’ve ever done.”
Harbour also called the finale “satisfying,“which is definitely exciting to hear. Like many fans, I have mixed emotions about theStranger Thingsseries finale. While I don’t want the series to end and it’s going to betough 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.
