Here Are The Biggest ‘Stranger Things’ Star Scandals Over the Last 9 Years

Stranger Things is finally coming to an end nearly a decade after it first premiered on Netflix. . Many viewers said the long waits between seasons have lessened their excitement, while others are eager to see how the story wraps up.

Over the years, Stranger Things has not only been known for its thrilling storylines and 1980s nostalgia but also for the off-screen controversies involving its cast.

One of the most talked-about scandals recently involves David Harbour, who plays Chief Jim Hopper. Reports claim that David bullied and harassed Millie Bobby Brown, his younger co-star.

The Daily Mail reported that Millie, 21, allegedly raised complaints, and Netflix conducted an internal investigation. The streaming giant declined to comment on the matter.

This is not the only scandal in David’s life. He was previously involved in a cheating scandal with his ex-wife, singer Lily Allen. The couple divorced after Lily, 40, discovered a three-year affair. Her new album, West End Girl, reportedly details the end of their relationship.

Songs like Tennis and Madeline are said to reflect Lily’s perspective on David’s infidelities. David spoke to Esquire Spain about his experiences, saying, “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, calling her “such a deeply emotional human being that I could never be… an extraordinary creature.”

Another cast member, Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, has also faced controversies, particularly around social media. In 2023, Noah made posts about the Israel-Hamas conflict, including the statement “Zionism is s***” and claiming “You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism.”

The backlash was immediate. Noah later explained in a TikTok video that his comments were misunderstood, saying, “I only want peace and safety and security for all innocent people affected by this conflict.” He emphasized the importance of understanding different perspectives, especially after speaking with friends from Palestinian backgrounds.

Noah also faced criticism in 2020, when at 15 years old, he was accused of using a racial slur in a song. He explained that he never used the word in real life and had instead said “neighbour” as a replacement. He apologized, telling the BBC, “I should have kept my mouth shut… I genuinely have never used that word in my life.”

Charlie Heaton, who plays Jonathan Byers, had a scandal of a different kind. In 2017, he was caught at Los Angeles airport with a small amount of cocaine.

He was sent back to London and had to work with US authorities before returning to the show. Netflix did not remove him from the cast, and Stranger Things’ 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.” She also emphasized that he was a professional and valued member of the team.

Brett Gelman, who plays Murray Bauman, also sparked controversy on social media. He defended Noah Schnapp’s posts about Israel, saying to TMZ, “Absolutely there are some problems there. I’m not for Netanyahu. But I’m for Israel, I’m for the Israeli people.”

He also made statements criticizing Palestinian supporters as “fake woke liberals” and added that people were misrepresenting the situation online.

Joseph Quinn, who became a fan favorite as Eddie Munson, drew attention for his personal life rather than his role. In 2024, he dated singer Doja Cat, whose social media posts had sparked multiple controversies.

She joked about COVID-19 on Instagram Live and defended her presence in alleged alt-right chat rooms. Joseph’s relationship with Doja raised questions among fans, with many posting online, “Joe, what are you doing?” Their relationship has since ended, with Joseph reportedly back on dating apps.

The show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, also faced legal trouble. In 2016, filmmaker Charlie Kessler sued them, claiming Stranger Things was based on his 2012 short film Montauk.

The lawsuit lasted a year but was dropped just before trial. Kessler later said, “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 Duffers’ lawyer confirmed that the brothers had been working on the show since 2010 and had emails to prove their independent creation.

Throughout its nearly ten-year run, Stranger Things has delivered a mix of supernatural thrills and 1980s nostalgia.

But the off-screen drama has been almost as dramatic as what happens in Hawkins. From bullying allegations and cheating scandals to social media backlash, legal disputes, and airport incidents, the cast and creators have faced a wide range of controversies.

While it’s disappointing to hear about conflicts off-screen, it also reminds us that actors are human and make mistakes. What do you think about all the controversies surrounding Stranger Things stars? Do you think it changes how you see the show? Share your thoughts in the comments.