David Harbor revealed this during a live recording of the podcast “Happy Sad Confused” (via People) that the cast of “Stranger Things” “cried uncontrollably” at the table read for the series finale. The show’s fifth and final season will likely air sometime in 2025, although Netflix has yet to announce any release information. The final season will contain eight episodes. Harbor called the finale “the best episode they’ve ever done,” adding, “They land the plane.”
“The end of this [final] episode when we were reading it – just us reading it – about halfway through people started crying,” Harbor said. “The last twenty minutes it was just uncontrollable crying, waves of different people. Noah Schnapp is my favorite.”
“I think part of that also has to do with the fact that this was their childhood,” Harbor continued. “It’s ten years later and we’re exploring that idea, and it’s so well done and so beautiful… It’s such a great episode and it’s such a great season. You guys will love it.”
Schnapp and his young “Stranger Things” co-stars were between 11 and 14 years old when they started filming the blockbuster Netflix series. They literally grew up on set and are now in their early twenties as the show prepares to say goodbye.
Harbor has been playing the role of Jim Hopper since the pilot episode of “Stranger Things.” In an interview with Discuss movie Last year, the actor said he was ready for the Netflix series to end, even if it would be bittersweet.
“The funny thing is, when I started the show, I never wanted it to end. That’s why I love the show. I think it was a great show even though I wasn’t there,” Harbor said. “Now we’re almost nine years removed from filming the first season, and I think it’s time to end it.”
Harbor continued, “But of course it’s very bittersweet. You know, there’s sadness in it. But we have also all grown up. It’s time for us to leave that nest and try other things and other projects. And to have the Duffer Brothers try different things too. I mean, those guys are so talented. I want to see what they come up with next. So it’s bittersweet, but it’s definitely time.”