Netflix's supernatural horror adventure series Stranger Things — which is back for season 3 tomorrow, July 4 — has become a bona fide cultural phenomenon, launching the careers of a whole new generation of superstars as well as bringing long-time icon Winona Ryder onto the small screen. Another actor who has enjoyed a newfound level of popularity due to the show is David Harbour, who plays Chief Jim Hopper.
Harbour went through some major changes over the first two seasons of Stranger Things, as his character evolved from the grumpy, grizzled sheriff of Hawkins, Indiana, to the surrogate father of telekinetic teen Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown). And Stranger Things 3 holds even more exciting developments for his character, according to Harbour, who has promised fans they'll see a "bigger, badder Hopper."
In an Instagram post which the actor shared ahead of the Stranger Things 3 premiere on Netflix, Harbour wrote: "In less than 24hours you can watch jim hopper act as stubborn, miserable, broken, and reckless as he’s ever been. But all with a deeply irreverent inner glee, as wide and full as his ‘stache."
This isn't the first time Harbour has teased fans about what they can expect to see from the Stranger Things in the future. Back in April, he told Digital Spy that while the show may run for four or five seasons, he already knows its ultimate conclusion. "I know the end of the story, and I think it's beautiful," he said.
In addition to starring in Stranger Things, Harbour is also the latest actor to take on the mantle of demonic superhero Hellboy, taking on the title from Ron Perlman in the recent reboot. And while Hopper might be known for his dad bod, Harbour underwent a jaw-dropping physical transformation to play the comic book devil, to the point where he was so jacked he couldn't even fit into his costume. But it's probably safe to say that Hopper, who is famously fond of coffee and donuts, won't be quite so shredded when the new season of Stranger Things comes out on Netflix on Independence Day.
