David Harbour Discusses New HBO Role in 'DTF St. Louis,' Mental Health, and End of 'Stranger Things'
David Harbour stars in HBO's "DTF St. Louis" as Floyd Smernitch, an ASL interpreter caught in a love triangle, for which he received his first Emmy nomination. The actor used physical transformation, including a prosthetic belly, to develop the character and distance himself from his iconic "Stranger Things" role as Jim Hopper. The role marks a deliberate shift toward complex character work after Harbour felt the long-running Netflix series had exhausted its narrative potential.
In an interview with Variety, David Harbour discusses his transformation for HBO's "DTF St. Louis," a darkly comedic drama that premiered in spring 2026 and became a ratings success. Playing Floyd Smernitch, an ASL interpreter at the center of a murder mystery and love triangle, Harbour employed physical changes including prosthetic padding and facial hair to help him embody the character's vulnerability and dejection. The 51-year-old actor reflects on his process, drawing parallels to classic American drama and the archetype of the struggling American man. Created by "Patriot" writer Steven Conrad, the series uses flashbacks to explore longing and shame in suburban America, with Harbour's character providing emotional complexity through moments of uninhibited dancing and tenderness. For Harbour, the role represents a deliberate departure from his globally recognized portrayal of stern police chief Jim Hopper in "Stranger Things," which he felt had reached narrative completion after five seasons. The performance has earned him his first Emmy nomination, following two previous nominations for the Netflix series.
What different sources said
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David Harbour Is Ready to Talk About His Mental Health, Lily Allen’s ‘West End Girl’ and the End of ‘Stranger Things’
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