The Duffer brothers, creators of the Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things, have revealed that another actor was actually their first choice for the role of Hopper.
As played by David Harbour, the disgruntled sheriff of Hawkins, Indiana was one of the series’ most sympathetic and popular characters, as well as one of the most important, given his close relationship to both Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder).
But what if it had all been different?
Apparently, Harbour was the Duffers’ second choice for the part of Hopper – and only secured the role after their favoured star turned it down.
Speaking on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, the Duffers revealed that Hollywood star Billy Crudup was actually their preferred pick for Hopper.
“It was Billy Crudup,” Matt Duffer confirmed, after fielding a pre-recorded question by none other than David Harbour himself. “Which is a very different– like, everything happens for a reason, right? So it’s like, once it kind of clicks into place. But yeah, Billy Crudup passed. I don’t think he was doing much TV at the time.”
Crudup is best known for his roles in films such Almost Famous, Zack Snyder’s ill-fated Watchmen adaption and Alien: Covenant, though he’s returned to prominence in recent years by playing Cory Ellison in the Apple TV drama The Morning Show alongside Jennifer Anniston and Reese Witherspoon.
For his role as Ellison, Crudup has won two Emmys for best supporting actor in a drama series.
Speaking on the audition process for Hopper, Ross Duffer admitted that, after Crudup passed on the role, Harbour came in to read for the part on the advice of the show’s casting director.
“He came and read and he just did one take,” he remembered of the time. “We weren’t even there, we just saw the tape and it was just so clear: this is Hopper. We cast him then and there.”
Harbour ended up playing Hopper for all five seasons of Stranger Things, and earned two Emmy nominations during his time on the series; for best supporting actor in 2017 and 2018.
Even though Stranger Things ended its run with a blockbuster fifth season earlier this year, the world of the show continues with various spin-offs in the running.
The first, an animated show called Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, debuted last month, with Radio Times deeming it a “welcome return to Hawkins.”
Stranger Things seasons 1-5 are available to stream on Netflix now.
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