The supernatural Netflix thriller Stranger Things was one of 2016’s most acclaimed TV shows, and expectations are high for the upcoming second season. Now star David Harbour, who plays cop Jim Hopper, has spoken about what fans can expect from Season 2.
As part of an AMA at onmogul.com, Harbour spoke about the differences in his character from the first season. “Hop starts Season 2 in a completely different place than Season 1,” he said. “He saved Will and has found a renewed interest in life. So his arc for Season 2 in my mind becomes more about butting up against the places where his hero fantasy can’t take him. The places where that hero complex may force him to make the wrong decisions. It’s a satisfying, completely different journey in Season 2.”
Harbour also revealed he had seen the finished first episode of the new season. “I’ve seen episode 1 and have seen a lot of the shooting at the monitor and I can honestly say that I am so excited for you all to see this season,” he said. “It’s so fun and dark and complex. The characters all get to deepen and develop and we get to take on even greater demons (inner and outer).”
The actor went on to state that, “Episodes 4 and 5 are pretty epic. Last year I felt they were the slowest of the season, but in this season, [episodes] 4 and 5 are incredible.
“The story moves so fast in the middle and the tension is so high. They’re killer, but I haven’t even seen 8 and 9 yet, and they’ll likely be even better.”
Harbour’s comments about the season’s tone are similar to those made last year by creators Matt and Ross Duffer, who stated that it would be “darker and weirder” than the first season.
A first teaser was screened during the Super Bowl in January–check it out here. Stranger Things Season 2 hits Netflix in October.