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David Harbour Snagged Hopper Role; Netflix Launches Tales From ’85

5/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ross Duffer said David Harbour was hired on the spot to play Chief Jim Hopper after one script read.
Billy Crudup was the Duffer Brothers' original first choice but turned down the part.
Harbour sent a pre-recorded question on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast asking who gave up the role.
After the series ended, Netflix released the animated spin-off Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 and announced another spinoff.

History

Historical Context

In September 1994 NBC debuted the sitcom Friends, a pilot written by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and directed by James Burrows. The network screened about 75 actors for each role, finalized the cast, and the episode drew roughly 22 million viewers, prompting a ten-season run that reshaped ensemble comedies and became a cultural touchstone for young adults.

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Story summary

Ross Duffer said David Harbour was hired on the spot to play Chief Jim Hopper after one script read.
Billy Crudup was the Duffer Brothers' original first choice but turned down the part.
Harbour sent a pre-recorded question on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast asking who gave up the role.
After the series ended, Netflix released the animated spin-off Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 and announced another spinoff.

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