David Harbour Slams Method Acting as Pointless and Risky
David Harbour takes aim at method acting, calling it silly and even dangerous, while reflecting on his career beyond Stranger Things and his thoughts on Daniel Day-Lewis’s intense approach.
Quick challenge for you: can you name anything David Harbour’s starred in apart from Stranger Things? If you’re scratching your head, you’re not alone. Maybe you vaguely recall him as a tough Santa in that action-packed Christmas flick from 2022—Violent Night, if you’re wondering. It’s hardly surprising, given how much the Netflix hit has made Harbour almost inseparable from Chief Hopper. Still, he’s racked up a fair few roles outside Hawkins, Indiana, even if most punters can’t list them off the top of their heads.
Harbour’s had his fair share of superhero gigs, too. He recently played Red Guardian in Thunderbolts, a Marvel film that slipped by without much fanfare—possibly thanks to superhero fatigue or its similarities to Suicide Squad. A few years back, he took a swing at Hellboy in a reboot that, let’s be honest, nobody was really hanging out for. That one even landed him a Golden Raspberry nomination, which isn’t exactly a great look. With his build and presence, Harbour often ends up in roles where throwing a punch or two is part of the job description, and his filmography backs that up.
Stage, Screen, and a Broader Range
But it’s not all brawling and blockbusters. Harbour’s been working in telly and theatre for about two decades, often taking on more nuanced characters. Back in 2005, he scored a Tony nomination for his part in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, a classic about middle-class couples getting on the turps and having a go at each other. He’s also tackled a handful of major Shakespeare productions, not to mention a stack of TV appearances over the years.
His breakout as Hopper in Stranger Things eventually earned him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, so it’s fair to say he’s got the chops and the experience to speak with some authority. But Harbour’s not one to treat acting as some sacred, all-consuming craft. He’s pretty blunt about his views on method acting, saying,
“When I was younger – it’s so embarrassing – but I remember playing that famous Scottish King (Hamlet) and being like, ‘I’m gonna kill a cat’ or something: ‘I’m gonna go murder something to know what it feels like to murder.’ I didn’t actually do it, obviously. Not only is that stuff silly, it’s dangerous, and it actually doesn’t produce good work.”
Not Swayed by the Greats
Even the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis, with his trio of Best Actor Oscars and reputation for total immersion, doesn’t change Harbour’s mind. When asked about Day-Lewis’s famously intense approach, Harbour admitted,
“He’s an extraordinary actor who I’m captivated and fascinated by. (But) when he explains his process, it sounds like nonsense to me.”
So, you probably won’t catch these two blokes having a yarn over a pint about who nailed Hamlet best—especially since Day-Lewis famously walked off stage mid-performance in 1989 and never returned to theatre.
What’s Next for Harbour
Right now, Harbour’s everywhere, with the much-hyped final season of Stranger Things on the way. He’s also set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, joining what seems like half of Hollywood. And for those who enjoyed his turn as a not-so-jolly Saint Nick, there’s good news—Violent Night 2 is in the works.