David Harbour has a ‘real worry’ about Millie Bobby Brown

David Harbour, who stars alongside Millie Bobby Brown on Stranger Things, has expressed his real concerns for the young actress.

David Harbour is worried that fame could have a bad effect on his Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown.

“Millie and I have always had sort of a special relationship because I knew her when she was so young,” Harbour, 46, said of Brown, 17, on Wednesday’s episode of the That Scene with Dan Patrick podcast.

“I knew her before any of this big fame hit. I have a real protective feeling for her. I have a real, like, worry. I worry about her and the fame and all that she has to struggle with.”

Brown was just 12 years old when the Netflix show premiered in 2016 and made her a breakout star thanks to her role as Eleven.

“I’ve just always felt this kind of deep fatherly affection for her,” Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper, explained.

Harbour sees himself as a father figure to the young actress. Picture: Getty Images

RELATED: Stranger Things star breaks down in video

While Brown is still only a teen, she has been wrapped up in a number of scandals in recent years, from her unconventional friendship with rapper Drake, who is 17 years older than her, to allegations about a past relationship with TikTok star Hunter “Echo” Ecimovic.

Last month, Ecimovic, 21, claimed to have engaged in sexual acts with Brown, which she quickly denied.

“Mr Ecimovic’s remarks on social media are not only dishonest but also are irresponsible, offensive and hateful,” her rep said at the time.

“Instead of engaging in a public discourse with him through the press or on social media, we are taking action to ensure that he stops this behaviour once and for all.”

Ecimovic has since apologised for his claims, admitting he “said stuff that should have never been said” while he was “getting more and more drunk”.

David Harbour worries for Millie Bobby Brown. Picture: Getty Images

RELATED: Teen star hits out over sexualisation

The actress, who is currently dating Jon Bon Jovi’s son Jake Bongiovi, previously opened up about how she has struggled with being scrutinised and sexualised at such a young age.

“There are moments I get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualisation, and unnecessary insults that ultimately have resulted in pain and insecurity for me,” she wrote on Instagram in February 2020 on her 16th birthday.

She added at the time, “But not ever will I be defeated. I’ll continue doing what I love and spreading the message in order to make change.”

This article originally appeared on Page Six and was reproduced with permission