Fans attending the Stranger Things: The Final Season Celebration at New York City’s Paley Museum on December 18, 2025, noticed the absence of two major stars: Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour. Both actors had been previously confirmed to appear at the highly anticipated event, but pulled out prior to the celebration.
The absence of the show’s beloved leads sparked questions from fans and media alike. Here’s a detailed look at what led to their no-shows and how the cast acknowledged them during the event.
The Paley Museum Celebration and the Missing Stars
The Stranger Things finale panel at the Paley Museum featured several main cast members, including Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Maya Hawke, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, and Jamie Campbell Bower, along with the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers. The discussion was moderated by Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, who openly addressed the absences of Brown and Harbour.
“Before we begin our conversation today, we just want to acknowledge that, clearly, the full ensemble could not be here tonight,” Nemiroff said. “For all the ones who are not with us on stage, they send their regards and thanks for being here.”
This public acknowledgment reassured fans that both stars were supporting the event from afar despite not attending in person.
Millie Bobby Brown’s Injury Prevented Attendance
Millie Bobby Brown, 21, had missed a scheduled appearance on Good Morning America just two days prior due to an injury. In a pre-recorded video message, she explained:
“Hey, everyone at GMA, I’m really sorry I couldn’t be there with you guys.”
Brown had recently taken a fall, resulting in an arm injury that required her to wear a sling. A spokesperson for the Paley Museum confirmed her absence, stating:
“Unfortunately, due to a recent injury, Millie can no longer attend the carpet or discussion.”
Despite missing both events, Brown remained engaged with fans and the show’s promotions, demonstrating her dedication to the Stranger Things community.
David Harbour’s Scheduling Conflict
David Harbour, 50, was unable to attend the event due to a reported scheduling conflict. A spokesperson confirmed his absence, emphasizing that Harbour had prior professional commitments preventing him from participating in the New York City celebration.
Harbour’s absence followed a TMZ report about an incident at a gastropub in Encinitas, California, which sparked media speculation. PEOPLE reached out to Harbour’s representatives for comment.
Strong Onscreen Chemistry Between Brown and Harbour
Despite their absences at the Paley Museum event, Brown and Harbour have continued to maintain a strong working relationship on set. Previously, the actors made headlines when Brown filed a bullying and harassment complaint against a co-star before filming Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1.
At the Los Angeles premiere of Season 5, both stars appeared together and shared laughter and positive interactions, proving that their off-screen dynamics did not affect their professional bond.
Brown commented to Entertainment Tonight about her relationship with Harbour:
“I’ve obviously had a really special bond with David because we have a father-daughter relationship, and we do every scene together. It’s been so special to have him along the journey for me.”
Fans celebrated their strong on-screen connection, particularly the iconic bond between Eleven (Brown) and Hopper (Harbour), which has remained a cornerstone of the series’ emotional impact.
Stranger Things Season 5 Streaming Schedule
Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 is already streaming on Netflix, with Volume 2 releasing on December 25, 2025, and the highly anticipated finale dropping on December 31, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.
Even with absences at promotional events, Brown and Harbour’s contributions to the series continue to captivate audiences, maintaining the show’s status as one of Netflix’s most beloved series.
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