David Harbour Reflects on the End of 'Stranger Things', Life Lessons, and the Next Step
A version of this article was published in the November 2025 issue of Esquire Spain magazine.
On November 26, Netflix’s Stranger Things will begin its long-awaited three-part farewell. The first four episodes of season eight will premiere on Thanksgiving Day, followed by three more episodes on Christmas Day. The series finale will air on New Year’s Eve, marking the end of the streaming platform’s most successful original show.
This finale concludes a decade-long journey for David Harbour, who gained international fame portraying Hawkins, Indiana’s police chief Jim Hopper. With fans eagerly awaiting this moment, the latter half of 2025 has brought significant media attention to Harbour. The spotlight intensified further after the surprise release of a pop album last week, dramatically increasing public interest in him.
In September, prior to the album’s debut, Esquire Spain journalist Rafael Sánchez Casademont met with Harbour in New York to discuss his career, the bittersweet conclusion of Stranger Things, and his future plans. The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
What makes the city so special to you?
"When I was a kid it was this magical place. I grew up about an hour outside the city, in a suburban town in Westchester."
Author's summary
David Harbour reflects on the final chapter of Stranger Things, his career, and the unexpected surge in attention following his recent projects.