Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Sci-Fi Shows
  4. Stranger Things

David Harbour once thought his fan favorite Stranger Things character Hopper should've died in season 1

News
By Molly Edwards published 24 April 2025

David Harbour didn't think Hopper should survive season 1

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Hopper in Stranger Things 4
(Image credit: Netflix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Stranger Things star David Harbour initially didn't think his character Hopper should survive season 1 of the hit Netflix show.

The actor recently spoke to GQ, and the publication reports that when there was a chance the sci-fi show would only run for one season, Harbour, after reading the scripts, thought Hopper should die by suicide at the end of the season – as he thought it was the only way his character could apologize to Sara, his daughter, who died of cancer.

In the show, it's a possibility that Hopper's exposure to Agent Orange, a toxic chemical used in the Vietnam War, might have been responsible for Sara's cancer.

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

Of course, that death didn't happen, and Hopper was later given a fake-out death at the end of season 3. We'll next see him in Stranger Things season 5, which is the final installment of the show.

"I was so happy with his ending, and I don't know, I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad, but also very happy," Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike, has previously said of the ending. "I felt like I was in a dream or something. None of it felt real. I don't know, it felt perfect."

You may like
  • Stranger Things David Harbour says he's developing "several" projects with Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown
  • Stranger Things Stranger Things stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour to reunite in new Netflix series
  • Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things season 5 episode 8 Millie Bobby Brown made a "secret pact" with the Stranger Things creators and was told the "true ending"

Stranger Things season 5 doesn't yet have a release date, but it's expected in 2025 – though, according to its creators the Duffer brothers, that might be optimistic. "A lot of it hasn't been decided, in terms of exactly the release dates and cadence. That's one reason I'm not allowed to talk about it," Matt Duffer has said. "We're getting on a call in about a couple weeks about it. I just know it was very important for us and Netflix that we get it out this year. But even that is quite the push."

While you wait, check out our guide to all the best Netflix shows streaming now to fill out your watchlist.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Netflix Streaming Services
Molly Edwards
Molly Edwards
Social Links Navigation
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm a Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film section. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Stranger Things
Sci-Fi Shows David Harbour says he's developing "several" projects with Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown
 
 
Stranger Things
Thriller Shows Stranger Things stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour to reunite in new Netflix series
 
 
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things season 5 episode 8
Sci-Fi Shows Millie Bobby Brown made a "secret pact" with the Stranger Things creators and was told the "true ending"
 
 
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows Ahead of The Boys series finale, Homelander star seeimignly shades Stranger Things' low-stakes final episode
 
 
Steve and Dustin in Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things spin-off once featured more Hawkins adults, but scenes were cut to bring back its "youthful innocence"
 
 
Jack Quaid as Hughie in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows Jack Quaid says The Boys season 5 isn't going to be a "fairytale ending in any regard"
 
 
Latest in Sci Fi Shows
Ahsoka
Star Wars TV Shows Live-action Ezra Bridger star posts cryptic Ahsoka season 2 tease
 
 
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things season 5 episode 8
Sci-Fi Shows Millie Bobby Brown made a "secret pact" with the Stranger Things creators and was told the "true ending"
 
 
The Mandalorian
Star Wars TV Shows The Mandalorian star wasn't tricked by attempts to hide Luke Skywalker in the season 2 finale
 
 
Walton Goggins as the Ghoul in Fallout season 2
Sci-Fi Shows Todd Howard says Fallout season 3 will include "new things" that are "never seen before in the games"
 
 
Sam Witwer as Maul in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Darth Maul actor Sam Witwer says Star Wars needs to keep taking "big swings" like Andor
 
 
The Boroughs
Sci-Fi Shows The Boroughs star encourages fans and Emmy voters to "stick it to Netflix" after the show's cancellation
 
 
Latest in News
GTA 6 Ultimate Edition screenshot
Grand Theft Auto Fired GTA 6 developer says playing the blockbuster will "probably just bring back too much"
 
 
Games As the Steam Machine and consoles hit high prices, Lenovo says we're in a new normal for RAM costs
 
 
GTA 6 Vintage Vice City pack
Grand Theft Auto Games will keep getting more expensive after GTA 6 "raises the bar," analysts say
 
 
Star Wars: Eclipse screenshots
Action Games Star Wars Eclipse devs on strike as Quantic Dream reportedly plans to lay off 115 workers
 
 
An anime character wielding a spear prepares to charge at a giant green fog in the middle of a misty swamp.
Fighting Games The Steam demo for this frog action brawler "inspired by Smash Bros and Naruto" has been kicking players' butts
 
 
Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic Team boss says the most memorable game he's ever worked on is Sonic Adventure 2
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Final Fantasy 14 The Epic of Alexander Ultimate
    1
    Final Fantasy 14 devs looked to the MMO's best expansion to design the Arcadion series after feeling like "ensuring player comfort and stress reduction" limited creativity
  2. 2
    As Bungie closes the book on Destiny, we weigh the legacy of the best, worst, and most brilliantly boring FPS of its era
  3. 3
    The best thing about Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 is the one thing fans were worried about most
  4. 4
    Fired GTA 6 developer accusing Rockstar Games of union busting says playing the blockbuster will "probably just bring back too much"
  5. 5
    As the Steam Machine, Xbox, and PS5 consoles reach eye-watering prices, Lenovo says we're in a new normal for RAM costs

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...