Here are All the Scandals That Rocked ‘Stranger Things’ Stars Over the Last 9 Years

Nearly ten years after Stranger Things first arrived on Netflix, the hit sci-fi series is finally coming to an end with its fifth and final season this month.

But fans are having mixed feelings about it. Many said that the long gaps between seasons made it hard to get excited again, while others were just eager to see how the story would conclude.

Even as the series wrapped up thrilling adventures on-screen, much of the attention over the years has been focused off-screen, on scandals and controversies involving the cast. One of the most talked-about controversies recently involves David Harbour, who plays Chief Jim Hopper.

Reports claim that David bullied and harassed his young co-star Millie Bobby Brown. According to the Daily Mail, Millie, 21, allegedly complained to Netflix, and the company reportedly conducted an internal investigation.

This wasn’t the first time David found himself in the headlines for personal reasons. He was previously embroiled in a cheating scandal with his ex-wife, British singer Lily Allen. The pair divorced last December after Lily, 40, discovered David’s three-year affair.

Lily released a new album, West End Girl, her first in seven years, which reportedly details the breakdown of their relationship. According to reports, songs like Tennis and Madeline reflect her perspective on the split.

David spoke about his life in an interview with Esquire Spain, reflecting on both his mistakes and his personal growth. He said, “You either accept your path completely and realise that even the pain and the slip-ups and the mistakes are all part of the journey.” He also praised Winona Ryder, his co-star, calling her “such a deeply emotional human being that I could never be… an extraordinary creature.”

Noah Schnapp, who plays fan-favorite Will Byers, has also faced several controversies over the years.

In 2023, he made headlines after posting comments online about the Israel-Hamas conflict, including the statement “Zionism is se**” and saying “You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism.” The posts sparked a strong backlash. In response, Noah released a video on TikTok clarifying that his statements had been misunderstood.

He explained, “I only want peace and safety and security for all innocent people affected by this conflict.” Noah also reflected on the need for understanding, saying he had conversations with friends from a Palestinian background and learned a lot from them.

Noah’s controversies aren’t limited to political statements. In 2020, when he was just 15, he faced criticism after being accused of using a racial slur in a song. Noah explained that he had never actually used the word in real life and had used the word “neighbour” as a replacement. He later apologized, saying, “I should have kept my mouth shut… I genuinely have never used that word in my life.”

Charlie Heaton, who plays Jonathan Byers, also had a scandal that almost cost him his role. In 2017, he was caught at Los Angeles airport with cocaine and sent back to London. He later clarified that he was not arrested or charged, and he worked with officials to resolve the situation.

According to the Daily Mail, Netflix didn’t remove him from the show because the creators valued him highly. Costume designer Kim Wilcox said, “Charlie actually is one of my favorites… a very sensitive soul… I think he’s a good man and he’s made some great decisions in his life.”

Brett Gelman, who plays Murray Bauman, also made headlines for controversial social media statements. He defended Noah Schnapp’s posts about Israel, arguing to TMZ that Noah didn’t need to apologize.

Brett said, “Absolutely there are some problems there. I’m not for Netanyahu. But I’m for Israel, I’m for the Israeli people.” Brett also caused a stir online with posts about Palestinians, saying they were “fake woke liberals” and criticizing people for not understanding the conflict. His comments were widely shared and debated on social media.

Joseph Quinn, who played Eddie Munson, became a fan favorite despite having less screen time than some of the main cast. His character’s heroic death in season four left viewers heartbroken.

But Joseph also made headlines for his personal life when he started dating singer Doja Cat in 2024. Their relationship sparked controversy because of Doja’s history of questionable posts. She had joked about the coronavirus pandemic on Instagram Live, saying, “B***, I’m not scared of a coronavirus or the mother**** beer version of that s***. I’m gonna get corona and then I’m gonna get a Corona, cause I don’t give a f*** about corona, b****.”

Doja also defended her involvement in alleged alt-right Tinychat rooms, insisting, “My friends on Tinychat aren’t white supremacists… it is what it is.” Fans questioned Joseph’s judgment, posting online, “Joe, what are you doing?” The couple has since split, with Joseph reportedly back on dating apps.

Even the creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, faced legal trouble. In 2016, filmmaker Charlie Kessler sued them, claiming they stole his 2012 short film Montauk.

The lawsuit lasted a year but was dropped just two days before trial. Kessler later admitted he was wrong, saying, “After hearing the deposition testimony… it is now apparent to me that, whatever I may have believed in the past, my work had nothing to do with the creation of Stranger Things.”

The Duffer Brothers’ lawyer confirmed that the brothers had been working on the show’s concept since 2010 and had documents proving their independent creation.

Over the years, Stranger Things has delivered thrilling adventures, nostalgic 1980s vibes, and supernatural suspense, but the off-screen drama has been just as compelling.

From bullying allegations and cheating scandals to controversial social media posts, drug busts, and legal battles, the cast and creators have had their fair share of headlines. As the show comes to a close with its fifth season, fans will not only remember the monsters and mysteries of Hawkins, but also the real-life drama that has surrounded the beloved cast for nearly a decade.

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