David Harbour Joins DTF St. Louis, Sets Toy Story 5 Premiere Appearance

On the latest episode of Variety’s “Daily Variety” podcast, the Cover Story segment centers on actor David Harbour as he reflects on life after years spent playing Jim Hopper on Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” Variety’s Daniel D’Addario discusses spending time with Harbour and how the actor is navigating one of the hardest shifts for any performer: moving on from a defining role after five seasons on a hugely successful series. The conversation comes at a moment when Harbour is also trying to reset his public narrative following a turbulent period in his personal life.

Harbour made headlines last year after his former wife, singer and actor Lily Allen, released an album with lyrics widely seen as references to their marriage, which ended in early 2025. Harbour had largely stayed quiet during the controversy surrounding Allen’s “West End Girl” album, released in October 2025, but used the interview to offer his perspective. According to D’Addario, Harbour was measured and thoughtful about what he chose to address, and equally clear about the subjects he would not discuss.

D’Addario says Harbour came across as calm, reflective, and deliberate in setting boundaries. He noted that Harbour appeared to have spent significant time working through the experience privately before speaking publicly. Rather than reacting defensively or fueling the drama, Harbour spoke in a composed way and avoided criticizing Allen. D’Addario described Harbour as someone who has long been used to keeping his personal life separate from his professional one, especially because he was not a major celebrity until relatively late in his career. That experience, he suggested, may have helped Harbour stay steady under scrutiny and remain careful about what he shared.

The episode also features a Red Carpet Rundown from Marc Malkin, who caught up with Taylor Swift and Joan Cusack at the premiere of Disney’s “Toy Story 5.” Cusack used the moment to explain why she has stepped back from Hollywood in recent years. She said she has appreciated the chance to live a more grounded life, including running a gift shop in Chicago, raising her children, and spending time away from the pressures of the industry.

Cusack said she feels honored to have worked in entertainment for so long, but also values having a normal life outside of acting. Her remarks highlighted a recurring theme in the episode: how performers balance fame, identity, family, and personal privacy as their careers evolve. While Harbour’s segment focused on the challenge of moving beyond a signature role and handling public attention around his personal life, Cusack’s comments underscored a different version of the same question — what it means to step back, find perspective, and live life on one’s own terms.

“Daily Variety” is available on iHeartPodcasts, Apple Podcasts, Variety’s YouTube Podcast channel, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.