David Harbour is cautious about being known only for his role in Stranger Things. While waiting for filming to start on the show’s final season, he’s also considering moving on from his TV career.
He remembers a conversation from the early days of Stranger Things where a publicist suggested he shouldn’t be too closely linked to the show. Although he genuinely enjoys both the show and his character as Sheriff Hopper, he doesn’t want to be defined solely by that role.
He wants to avoid getting stuck in one character or typecast.
While gaining fame from his role on Stranger Things, Harbour has taken on different acting opportunities. He portrayed Red Guardian in Marvel movies, a violent Santa Claus in Violent Night, the main role in an unsuccessful Hellboy remake, and a racing coach in the upcoming Gran Turismo movie. Violent Night was his first successful movie in theaters, and it made him realize his desire for more similar experiences.
“Even though I’ve been on Netflix… this was a small original film that’s being shown in theaters. It introduced me to a whole new world,” Harbour mentioned. “I enjoy this new playing field. I want to create original movies that people can watch in cinemas.”
Harbour is determined to establish himself in the world of film, rather than always being associated with Sheriff Hopper. He references how George Clooney left the TV show ER and became known for his movie roles. Harbour aims for a similar transition, saying, “Now we just see him as George Clooney. But there was a time when it was, ‘The guy from ER is doing a movie with Nicole Kidman.'”
I’m trying to figure this out,” he went on. “It’s difficult because you don’t want to disrespect the people who adore you for something you also adore. Yet, simultaneously, you want to step away. I have more to offer. There are different things inside me that I want to show you all. I don’t want to hear ‘Hopper’ shouted every five minutes on the street for the rest of my life.
Source: EW
