David Harbour is still surprised that his Stranger Things character has made it to season 5.

As the final season of Stranger Things is approaching, Harbour is reflecting on his role as Chief of Police Jim Hopper. In a recent interview, the actor offered surprising insights as to how believed his character’s story should have ended much earlier.

David Harbour Thought Hopper Would Die in Season 1

During a conversation with British GQ, David Harbour thought his character would die after season 1. According to the actor, the original scripts led him to think the series would be a one-season run. He also thought that Hopper would die by suicide as a way of seeking redemption. In his eyes, it was the only way the character could truly apologize to his daughter.

Although Hopper appeared to die in season 3 after closing the gate to the Upside Down, the character returned alive in season 4. Still, the actor thinks many fans preferred to think of him making that sacrifice.

“I think they were just committed to the beauty of that moment of his death. It was so moving that I think they almost didn’t want him to be alive.”

David Harbour Promises Action-Filled Final Season

David Harbour also teased Stranger Things 5 hinting that it will be a high-stakes, action-packed finale and Hopper won’t be catching any breaks.

“We shot a lot of nights, and there is a lot of action, and we’re fighting evil in a very direct way. Hopper is a man of action — there’s a lot of running around.”

Earlier Noah Schnapp revealed that Stranger Things fans would be devastated after watching the final season. The highly anticipated season 5 is expected to drop in the latter half of the year.