David Harbour looked almost unrecognizable on Monday as he filmed scenes for his upcoming movie Evil Genius in Woodbridge, New Jersey.
The 50-year-old actor, known for playing Jim Hopper on Stranger Things, donned body padding and a gray-haired, bearded look that made him appear heavier than usual.
Dark-framed glasses completed the transformation, giving him a dramatically different appearance from the Emmy-nominated star fans know.
On Set With a Star-Studded Cast
The crime drama, directed by Friends alum Courteney Cox, features a strong ensemble including Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette, Michael Chernus, Garret Dillahunt, Ryan Eggold, Harlow Jane, and Trevor Long.
Harbour was photographed holding a script and chatting with crew members during the shoot, fully immersed in the gritty story.
The Chilling True Story Behind the Film
Evil Genius is based on the 2018 documentary of the same name by Barbara Schroeder and Trey Borzillieri, chronicling the bizarre “Pizza Bomber” case from Erie, Pennsylvania.
In 2003, 46-year-old pizza delivery man Brian Wells died when a bomb strapped around his neck exploded during a bank robbery.
The convoluted case has puzzled investigators and the public for decades.
Cox, reflecting on the story, described it as “stranger than fiction,” blending dark humor with deep emotional beats.
She called the film “a story about love, loneliness, manipulation, and the people on the fringes who get pulled into something much bigger than themselves.”
Stranger Things Drama Shadows Harbour
The timing of Harbour’s intense movie role comes amid personal and professional turbulence.
Just days prior, reports surfaced that co-star Millie Bobby Brown had filed a harassment and bullying claim against him during the production of Stranger Things Season 5.
According to sources, the investigation into the claims lasted months and involved detailed accusations.
Despite this, Harbour and Brown appeared friendly at the Stranger Things season five premiere party on November 6 in Hollywood.
Season five of the Netflix hit begins streaming on November 26.
Personal Life in the Spotlight
Harbour’s professional challenges coincided with his publicized separation from singer Lily Allen earlier this year.
Allen recently released her album West End Girl, which many interpret as addressing Harbour’s infidelity.
Tracks like “Madeline” and “Tennis” appear to chronicle her discovery of his three-year affair and other relationship struggles.
Harbour Reflects on Regret and Growth
In interviews, Harbour has spoken candidly about his life and choices as he approaches 50.
He told Esquire Spain that while he acknowledges “pain, slip-ups, and mistakes,” he believes these experiences contribute to personal growth and deeper empathy.
When asked if he would change anything about his past, he admitted he might want to make his life “happy and silly,” but realized doing so would undermine his identity as an artist.
Balancing Art and Life
For Harbour, the journey has been about accepting both triumphs and failures.
The actor’s transformation on the set of Evil Genius and his candid reflections reveal a man navigating the intersections of fame, personal mistakes, and creative ambition—while still delivering performances that surprise and captivate audiences.