- The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things , revealed that David Harbour was their second choice for the role of police chief Jim Hopper.
- During an interview on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Matt Duffer disclosed that actor Billy Crudup had initially turned down the role.
- Crudup reportedly passed on the TV gig as he wasn't doing much television at the time, later starring in Apple TV’s Emmy-winning series The Morning Show.
- David Harbour secured the role after a casting director suggested him; he performed a single take which the Duffer Brothers reviewed and immediately recognised as the perfect fit for Hopper.
- The creators' earlier pitch deck for the series indicated they had initially considered actors like Ewan McGregor or Sam Rockwell for Hopper, and Naomi Watts or Marisa Tomei for Joyce Byers.
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