David Harbor gave Stranger Things fans some hope on Thursday after announcing a return to filming the sci-fi series at the BoxLunch gala in Los Angeles.
With the SAG-AFTRA strike now over, the 48-year-old actor has confirmed that he will be returning to the set of the highly anticipated final season of the Netflix hit, where he will play beloved police chief Jim Hopper.
“I mean, we have to film the final season of Stranger Things, right?” I should be there in a few days. We have to go – we’re late,” he said when asked what his plans were following the announcement that the strike had ended, per Variety.
The actor added that within 24 hours of the strike ending, he “received numerous calls” to finalize his schedule.
“We have some time to shoot and edit, but we’re going to work as hard and as fast as we can to get it out to people because I know they love the show as much as we do and I can’t wait to see it for them. to see what happens next, it’s really exciting,” he continued, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “The scripts are great.”
He added: “I feel like a horse getting ready and the doors are about to open, there’s all this motivation and all this passion to do it.”
Filming on the final season of the Duffer Brothers’ popular Netflix series stopped in May due to the start of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
At the gala, Harbor admitted the strike had been “really tough,” according to THR.
“I think there is a part of me psychically that processes the world through my work, through my acting; I love it so much and I haven’t been able to do it and it’s driving me a little crazy; he explained.
Harbour’s portrayal of Hopper became a fan favorite for combining gruff demeanor with hidden tenderness.
“I love this show and I love this character (Jim Hopper) so much; it’s the final season and I can’t wait to dive wholeheartedly into this guy who, certainly career-wise, has made a huge difference in my life but personally, he’s the movie character and of television that I have what I loved the most, with which I fell in love,” he added during the gala.
“I’m excited to give him the finale I’ve wanted for him since we started.” I love it so much that I can’t wait to put my whole heart into it.
Even as Stranger Things nears its conclusion, Lily Allen’s husband has expressed his reluctance to completely part with his character, revealing which parts of Hopper he hopes to take with him.
“I hope it’s not his inability to express his emotions directly… But certainly his strength, his courage, his dedication. His powerful love for his family and for right and wrong – his ideas about justice,” did he declare.
Netflix has not yet confirmed the release date for the fifth season of Stranger Things.