Millie and I cried after shooting the confrontation scene

David Harbour became a worldwide phenomenon after playing Inspector Hopper in Netflix's  Stranger Things. His confrontation scene with Eleven(played by Millie Bobby Brown) is one of the most talked about scenes of television this year. David was in Dubai to walk the red carpet at Dubai International Film Festival. He spoke to us about Stranger Things, having a 'Dad Bod' and why playing father to Eleven made him a better human being. 

Stranger Things is one of the most binge-watched shows in the Middle East.
That's what I heard that you guys binge-raced the hell out of it. You all did not give us any time to catch up. 

Did you guys anticipate this massive success while making the show?
Absolutely not! We were making our little show during the first season and then we stuck down in Atlanta. We were all very neurotic thinking that no one would watch the show and we will party and no one would turn up. We were just trying to create the best show that we could and we didn't plan or think of any of the success. After the show was out during the first season, people started telling their friends and family. People started watching it and the rest is history. None of us expected this.

How was the experience of shooting the confrontation scene with Eleven? The scene that was about power against power.
That was actually a very tough day because both Millie Bobby Brown and I take our work very seriously. We don't take ourselves very seriously though. We wanted to give the audiences a very special experience. On the day of the shoot, we kind of stayed away from each other and I was kind of internal and dark. When we went to each other, we got very personal in an artistic way. It was really about Hopper and Eleven having this problem with each other...You know, him thinking that she is a brat and she thinks that he is controlling like 'Papa.' It was a very tough day of shooting and there were tears that we both were crying looking into each other's eyes. It was a very difficult day. I do believe that when you want to create something beautiful and a great art, you have to be believable. I think Millie and I both were willing to give it all so it was a painful day. When we put things together in a context, it was very powerful too. 

That scene was about super tantrum against super stubbornness. I am not surprised that you both cried after that.  
Yeah. It is so complicated because normally I do movies with adults and it is different. But yelling at a 13-year-old, it doesn't matter that you are in a character but you are still yelling at a small child. It is very disturbing to have to do that but I knew that it was almost like being a surgeon - you have to cut into a body, that act is important but you know that you are doing it for a good purpose. Although it doesn't mean that yelling at a 13-year-old doesn't give you a tremendous feeling of guilt. I was really messed up the whole day. 

After the first series, did you see this intense relationship developing between you two?
We did leave those Eggos in the box during Season one. I do believe that Duffer brothers said that they thought it would be interesting to see these characters put together because she has a father figure in her life that was kind of messed up and treated her poorly and my character had lost a daughter. So it would be interesting to put those characters together and explore their relationship. I had no idea that they would write such a full tapestry of emotions and arc. It was one of the most emotional things that I have ever read or performed. It changed me as a human being. I don't have a daughter but when I started to play these scenes with Millie and when we did the whole season - shooting over seven months, I really started to understand what it is like to love something more than yourself and to be willing to sacrifice yourself for that. And I really developed this paternal love for her that continues now. It's really an extraordinary experience. I don't know how much time was spent writing those scenes but when I got them I was like, 'Wow, this is an interesting opportunity to explore.' It was really exciting and really opened me up in life. 

You don't seem to enjoy being called the coolest dad on television. Why is that? 
I feel when you say the word dad, it just becomes this guy in sweatpants, in his couch, eating potato chips. I just want to maintain the fact that I am still a man and I am not just a 'dad'. I like 'hottest dad' though. That's very nice. 

But even Leonardo Dicaprio belongs to the category of 'Dad Bod'. So I guess you are in a glamorous league.
I know that people have responded tremendously to 'Dad Bod' and I have to say that maintaining a 'Dad Bod' is something that I am very willing to do. Like I will give myself some Snickers bars and sit on the couch whole day. I am willing to physically prepare for the role of a 'Dad Bod'. I will take on the challenge.

Apparently, you cannot keep a secret!
(laughs) Oh my God. Are you a reporter? I shouldn't be talking to you. Netflix executives are going to show up and keep my mouth shut. No. It is true. I am the worst person to keep a secret. Oh, my God. They will not even let me read the script for Season 3. They are just going to call me on the sets and then give the script. Look, I am like a little kid in the candy store and I get so excited about the show and the writing. And unfortunately, I talk to reporters and then I let things slip out. Then I get a disappointed call from the Duffer brothers. Right now, I am doing everything in my power and I am refusing to tell you anything about Season 3. I never will.

What is your obsession with the cowboy hat? 
(Laughs) It is true. I think it has something to do with my neurosis that my forehead is too big and the result of the receding hairline. It needs to be covered so I got to acquire as many hats as I can. I hope even my upcoming film  Hellboy gives me a chance to wear a hat. I am going to put that into the script now.  

Are you a party animal or someone who is in bed by 11pm? 
David Harbour sleeps very early. He stays for about eleven minutes at a party and then makes an exit and goes home to his couch and bing watches The Crown on Netflix.

Who are your favourite characters from Stranger Things
That's a great question. It sort of changes from time to time but I have to say that the constant is Joyce (played by Winona Ryder). I love her so much and I love what she does. She is so strong. This year, I also fell in love with Steve Harrington's character played by Joe Keery. What Joe does with that role is so extraordinary. So yeah, I am a big Steve Harrington and Joyce fan. They are my two favourites.