Alison Sudol Accuses David Harbour of Bullying Amid Millie Bobby Brown’s Formal Complaint

On November 26, 2025, Alison Sudol, the 39-year-old singer-songwriter and actress known for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, shattered six years of public silence with a raw, unfiltered Instagram post accusing her ex-partner, David Harbour, of emotional bullying during their brief 2019 relationship. The post, which included a haunting 2019 photo taken in her New York City apartment, described a relationship where she felt "tied up," "confused," and convinced she was to blame for his behavior. "The thing about bullies is that they know how to win. They tie your hands together and convince you you've done it to yourself," she wrote. The timing was explosive: just one day earlier, Millie Bobby Brown, the 20-year-old star of Stranger Things, had reportedly filed a formal harassment and bullying claim against Harbour — a claim that triggered a months-long internal investigation by Netflix before the final season of the show began filming.

From Public Romance to Silent Breakup

Sudol and Harbour were first linked in early 2019, their relationship unfolding amid the promotional tour for Hellboy, where they made their last public appearance together in April. By late July 2019, they had quietly separated — a breakup that, according to reports from The Tribune of Pakistan, coincided almost exactly with Harbour’s first date on the dating app Raya with British musician Lily Allen. Allen, 39, was photographed wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring by November 2019, and the couple married in September 2020. The speed of Harbour’s transition from one relationship to another has since become a focal point for critics, with fans questioning whether the emotional toll on Sudol was ever acknowledged.

Sudol’s Instagram caption didn’t just recount the end of a romance — it laid bare the psychological toll. "I’ve smiled at my attackers more times than I could count, hoping they’d think me no threat and leave me be," she wrote. The photo accompanying her post showed what appeared to be a faint bruise near her left eye, though she never explicitly referenced it. That omission, however, didn’t go unnoticed. Within hours, Bored Panda and Distractify published analyses zooming in on the image, while Lily Allen, now Harbour’s wife, responded with a single heart emoji — a gesture interpreted by many as quiet solidarity.

Millie Bobby Brown’s Secret Complaint

While Sudol’s post went viral, a parallel story was unfolding behind closed doors. According to The Daily Mail, Millie Bobby Brown had submitted a detailed, multi-page formal complaint against Harbour to Netflix’s HR department in early 2021 — months before filming for Stranger Things Season 5 began. Sources told the outlet the allegations included "persistent undermining," "public humiliation," and "emotional manipulation," but crucially, no claims of sexual misconduct. The investigation reportedly lasted over six months, involving interviews with cast and crew, but Netflix never released findings. The case was closed quietly, and Harbour remained on the show.

That silence now feels deafening. Brown, who was 16 when the series began and 19 when the complaint was filed, has never spoken publicly about the matter. Her absence from recent promotional events for the final season has fueled speculation, though her team has offered no comment. What’s clear: both women — one a musician with a poetic voice, the other a child star turned global icon — were subjected to the same man’s behavior during critical, vulnerable moments in their careers.

Harbour’s Silence and the Fallout

Since the allegations surfaced, David Harbour has vanished from the public eye. He did not appear on the Stranger Things final season press tour. No interviews. No social media posts. No public statements. His representative has declined to comment. The London Evening Standard noted his absence as "unprecedented" for a lead actor of his stature.

Meanwhile, the entertainment industry is watching. This isn’t just about two women’s accounts — it’s about how power operates in Hollywood. Harbour, a Golden Globe winner and household name, holds significant clout. Sudol, though respected in indie circles, is not a mainstream blockbuster star. Brown, still in her twenties, is navigating fame under a microscope. The imbalance in their platforms makes Sudol’s decision to speak out even more significant.

Why This Matters Now

It’s not just about what happened in 2019. It’s about what happens when silence is rewarded. For years, Harbour’s career continued to climb — from Stranger Things to Black Widow to Broadway. Meanwhile, Sudol retreated from the spotlight, releasing music quietly and avoiding interviews. Brown, despite her success, has spoken sparingly about her experiences on set.

The fact that both women waited until now — years after the events — to speak suggests a pattern: victims often wait until they feel safe, until they have enough distance, until the system no longer has control over them. Sudol’s post wasn’t just a confession — it was a declaration that she’s no longer afraid to be seen.

What’s Next?

Netflix has not reopened its investigation, and Harbour has not been formally charged with anything. But public pressure is mounting. Hashtags like #HearAlison and #JusticeForMillie are trending. Legal experts say that while civil claims may be time-barred, reputational damage can be lasting. Industry insiders speculate that if more cast members come forward, the studio may be forced to respond — not legally, but ethically.

For now, the ball is in the court of the public. And the question isn’t just whether Harbour is guilty — it’s whether we’re willing to listen to the quiet voices we’ve ignored for too long.