Without directly referencing his split from British singer Lily Allen, David Harbour opened up about his “mistakes” in a new Esquire Spain cover story.
The actor, who stars in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things—set to be released in three parts—took a break from discussing his role as Jim Hopper to reflect on his personal journey. When asked if he’d change anything about the “last half-century” of his life now that he’s fifty, Harbour gave a thoughtful response.
“That’s such a hard question – the question of regret, or something. I would change either everything or nothing,” he said. “You either accept your path completely and realise that even the pain and the slip-ups and the mistakes are all part of the journey, and that there’s truth and growth, wisdom and deeper empathy and connection in all that.”
“It’s kind of like a house of cards — the minute you try to change one thing, you kind of have to change it all,” Harbour continued.
When asked about the next fifty years of his life, the actor admitted he’s still “chasing a dragon of that perfect story,” and hopes to take on projects that feel “complex and rich.” He added, “Then, of course, there’s personal stuff that I want to do, and people that I want to love, and be good to and nurture, things like that.”
Harbour and Lily Allen quietly separated earlier this year after nearly five years of marriage. It was Harbour’s first marriage, while Allen had previously been married to Sam Cooper, with whom she shares two daughters. The pair divorced in 2018 after seven years together.
On her fifth album, West End Girl, released on October 24, Allen reflects heavily on her split from Harbour, even accusing him of infidelity. She references an alleged affair with a “Madeline” in songs like “Tennis” — and fittingly dressed as the beloved animated character for Halloween.
Aside from his recent comments, Harbour has remained tight-lipped about his split from Lily Allen, choosing instead to focus on promoting the final season of Stranger Things, which premieres on November 26.
