As Netflix’s flagship series ‘Stranger Things’ approaches its long-awaited conclusion, the spotlight at its Los Angeles world premiere was less on the supernatural than on its embattled stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour.

The two actors, at the centre of recent harassment allegations, appeared together on Thursday night, greeting each other warmly and signalling that the rumours of discord may have been overstated.

Their joint appearance came just days after reports surfaced alleging that Brown had filed a “harassment and bullying claim” against Harbour prior to production on the show’s fifth and final season.

According to British tabloid reports, the claim prompted a months-long internal investigation by Netflix. Although no misconduct allegations were made, Brown was said to have had a representative on set throughout the filming period, which concluded in December 2024.

Both actors have maintained public silence on the matter, but their red-carpet camaraderie — marked by laughter and a brief embrace — quickly circulated on social media through official ‘Stranger Things’ and Netflix accounts.

Show creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, and executive producer Shawn Levy addressed the issue more directly on the red carpet, insisting that reports of tension had been exaggerated.

“We’ve been doing this for 10 years with this cast, and at this point they’re family,” Ross Duffer told The Hollywood Reporter. “Nothing matters more than having a set where everyone feels safe and happy.”

Levy, who has directed several of the show’s most acclaimed episodes, echoed that sentiment, emphasising the production’s long-standing commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace.

“You have to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and safe, and we did everything to build that. We’re proud of that fact,” he said, adding that much of the coverage around the claims had been “wildly inaccurate.”

The allegations gained traction following the resurfacing of a 2024 interview in which Brown appeared visibly uncomfortable when a talk-show host joked about Harbour officiating her wedding to musician Jake Bongiovi.

Harbour had performed the ceremony for co-stars in previous off-screen events, but in this case, actor Matthew Modine, who plays Dr Brenner in the series, presided over the couple’s marriage earlier this year.

In the wake of the controversy, Brown, now 21, has been vocal about her discomfort with the media’s treatment of her, accusing outlets of “bullying” through constant scrutiny of her personal life and appearance.

Harbour, 50, meanwhile, has praised her in interviews as “an extraordinary talent” and recently told Esquire Spain that he “adores her,” reflecting on their decade-long professional bond.

The timing of the allegations also coincided with Harbour’s noticeable absence from the ‘Stranger Things’ press tour, which fuelled online speculation.

His ex-wife, British singer Lily Allen, had just released her album ‘West End Girl’, whose lyrics were widely interpreted as alluding to their former marriage. Fans linked his silence to the record’s publicity storm.

However, ‘E! News’ reported that Harbour’s absence from promotional appearances was unrelated to either the album or the controversy surrounding Brown. Instead, the actor has been filming ‘Evil Genius’, a thriller directed by ‘Friends’ alum Courteney Cox, alongside Patricia Arquette.

The film, based on the real-life crime case chronicled in a Netflix documentary, is said to have prevented Harbour from joining his co-stars for early promotional events.

Despite the swirl of rumours, Harbour made good on his commitment to attend the Los Angeles premiere, where he appeared composed and jovial. His reunion with Brown, both onstage and in front of photographers, suggested an intention to move past the turbulence that had dominated headlines in recent weeks.

Neither Netflix nor representatives for the two actors have commented publicly on the alleged complaint first reported by the Daily Mail. Yet insiders close to the production insist that the internal inquiry — while extensive – found no misconduct warranting disciplinary action. The investigation’s quiet resolution, combined with the cast’s united display, appears to have steered the narrative back to the show itself.

The final season of ‘Stranger Things’ is split into three parts. It begins streaming on November26, followed by instalments on 25 December and a feature-length finale on New Year’s Eve — the same night Netflix will release it in select theatres worldwide.