Keen-eyed Stranger Things fans have noticed there is one notable star largely missing from the Netflix trailer and promo – David Harbour.
The 50-year-old actor plays Jim Hopper in the 80s era sci-fi fantasy series, Joyce’s (Winona Ryder) love interest and Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) father figure.
Aka, a pivotal role.
Yet, when the highly anticipated trailer for season five, part one, came out earlier this week, fans couldn’t help but notice he was barely to be seen aside from a passing glimpse.
The timing of his absence has coincided with intense scrutiny over his personal life after his ex-wife, Lily Allen, released a tell-all album, West End Girl, accusing him of cheating on her, as well as gaslighting, lying and being a ‘sex addict’.
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After an acclaimed rollout, fans were quick to point out that it also lines up with the upcoming release of season five, with some speculating the promotional circuit is going to be a landmine for David to navigate.
Although the reason behind his blatant absence from the latest trailer remains a mystery.
‘Am I really seeing Stranger Things fans blaming Lily for David’s lack of promo appearances or saying she has ruined the season for them?! The only person to blame is David Harbour,’ one X user @decadescrolling wrote.
‘David Harbour nowhere to be found in that new Stranger Things trailer lmao,’ @lady_sati shared.
‘Where’s Hopper?!?,’ @the_goose_80 added.
In fact, so far, the only season five promotion we’ve seen Hopper in is one snap with El.
Of course, at the end of season four, there is a lengthy chunk of time we think Hopper is dead after an explosion, but at the end we see he managed to survive and reunites with El.
The trailer did feature our main cast of not-so-child stars Noah Schnapp, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin and Sadie Sink as Will, Elle, Dustin, Lucas and Max.
After a ten-year buildup, we’ll see the Hawkins crew finally face off against Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and the perils of the Upside-Down as they fight to save not only their friends but the very future of the planet.
Full list of Stranger Things season 5 run times and episode titles
Volume one episode titles and run times
- Chapter One: The Crawl – 68 minutes
- Chapter Two: The Vanishing of… – 54 minutes
- Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap – 66 minutes
- Chapter Four: Sorcerer – 83 minutes
Volumes two and three episode titles
While we don’t know the exact run times yet for the episodes in volumes two and three, the remaining episode titles are:
- Chapter Five: Shock Jock
- Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz
- Chapter Seven: The Bridge
And for the final episode released on New Year’s Eve:
- Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up
Although David can’t be found in the Stranger Things promo,he was seen out and about with Lily Allen’s children, Ethel, 13, and Marnie, 12 by one TikToker who showed him spending the day with the girls.
He has previously spoken about his love of being a stepfather, and how his relationship with the children prompted him to propose to the Smile hitmaker.
As for the damning allegations on the album, he has maintained a stony silence.
Discussing his divorce in GQ earlier this year, David said: ‘It’s not that things ending aren’t hard, but it’s just that I’m choosing to make it a period of growth.
‘And I feel like having the opportunity to be busy and work is really good. I’m learning how to swim in this, whatever it is. Learning how to float. Learning how to make it not about me.’
Stranger Things season five, part one, comes out on Netflix on November 26, 2025. Seasons one to four are available to stream now.
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