When David Kenneth Harbour was spotted at the Thermea Spa Village in Winnipeg, Manitoba this past September, no one expected it to reignite a scandal that’s been simmering since 2021. But according to The Daily Mail and Reality Tea, Harbour — best known as Chief Jim Hopper in Stranger Things — was seen spending private time with Natalie Tippett, the Canadian costume designer once linked to him during the filming of Netflix’s We Have a Ghost. The rumors, confirmed by multiple insiders, suggest the two may have reconnected after their relationship was believed to have ended in 2023. Neither Harbour nor Tippett has commented. But the timing? It’s impossible to ignore.
The Album That Changed Everything
In May 2025, British singer-songwriter Lily Rose Beatrice Allen released West End Girl, a raw, 12-track album that read like a public diary. The standout track, “Madeline,” wasn’t metaphorical. It was a direct, scathing account of betrayal — the discovery of text messages, the hollow promises, the slow unraveling of a marriage that began on the exclusive celebrity dating app Raya. Allen, who married Harbour in June 2020 after meeting on the app in 2019, wrote about finding proof of an affair during her run in London’s 2:22 A Ghost Story at the Noël Coward Theatre. The “Madeline” in question? Tippett, who worked as a costume designer on We Have a Ghost in New Orleans in mid-2021. Allen didn’t name names publicly — until October 2025, when Tippett confirmed it herself in a quiet, two-sentence statement: “I just don’t feel comfortable talking about it at the moment.”A Timeline of Betrayal
The story didn’t start in Winnipeg. It started in New Orleans. In August 2021, as Allen performed nightly in London, Harbour was filming We Have a Ghost under the humid Louisiana sun. That’s when, according to Allen’s lyrics and later interviews, the affair began. The marriage, already strained by long-distance and the pressures of fame, was reportedly opened up by Harbour’s request — a concession Allen says she made reluctantly. She didn’t expect to fall harder when she found the texts. The emotional fallout was immediate. By 2023, the relationship between Harbour and Tippett was assumed over. But the damage to Allen’s trust? Irreversible. Their separation became public in February 2025. The divorce, finalized quietly, was never framed as a scandal — until Allen’s album exploded. It debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart. Critics called it “a masterclass in emotional honesty.” Fans dissected every lyric. And then, in September 2025, Harbour was back in Canada — this time filming Violent Night 2 — and Tippett was there too. Witnesses told The Daily Mail they were seen together at the Thermea Spa Village, dining privately, walking the thermal gardens after hours. The dates? September 10 to October 15, 2025. Coincidence? Or something more?Why This Matters Now
Harbour isn’t just any actor. He’s Jim Hopper — a character millions grew up with. His return to Stranger Things Season 5, set for summer 2026, means his personal life is under a microscope. The 16-year age gap between him and Tippett? It’s been noted before. But now, with Allen’s album still charting and Tippett’s confirmation fresh, the narrative has shifted from private heartbreak to public reckoning. What’s more, the fact that both Harbour and Tippett remain silent speaks volumes. In an age where celebrities rush to issue statements, their silence feels deliberate — perhaps strategic, perhaps exhausted. The ripple effects are already visible. Online forums are ablaze with debates about accountability. Feminist commentators have praised Allen for refusing to sanitize her pain. Meanwhile, Tippett, a working costume designer on projects like The Umbrella Academy, has been thrust into a spotlight she never sought. She’s not a celebrity. But now, she’s part of one of the most talked-about entertainment scandals of 2025.
What Comes Next?
Harbour’s next move will be watched closely. Will he address the rumors when he promotes Stranger Things Season 5? Will Allen release another album? Will Tippett finally speak? For now, the only facts are these: the spa sighting happened. The album exists. The marriage ended. And the silence? That’s louder than any statement.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Lily Allen discover David Harbour’s affair with Natalie Tippett?
Allen discovered the affair in late 2021 after finding text messages between Harbour and Tippett on his phone while he was filming We Have a Ghost in New Orleans. She was performing in London at the time and had agreed to an open marriage — a decision she later regretted, as detailed in her 2025 album West End Girl.
Why did Natalie Tippett confirm she’s the "Madeline" in Allen’s album?
Tippett didn’t publicly confirm the identity until October 2025, after months of speculation. Her brief statement — "I just don’t feel comfortable talking about it at the moment" — suggests she was pressured by media attention and chose minimal engagement over fueling the narrative. She’s never been a public figure, and the spotlight has been overwhelming.
Is there any evidence Harbour and Tippett are back together?
Only circumstantial: multiple sources reported them together at the Thermea Spa Village in Winnipeg during September 2025 while Harbour was filming Violent Night 2. No photos, no confirmed statements. But the timing — after years of assumed separation — has reignited media interest, especially with Harbour’s return to Stranger Things looming.
What role did Netflix play in this situation?
Netflix produced both We Have a Ghost (2021), where Harbour and Tippett worked together, and Stranger Things, which made Harbour a global star. While the company hasn’t commented on the personal drama, its platform amplified Allen’s album, which reached millions of viewers who then connected the dots between the music and the actors’ real lives.
How has the public reacted to Lily Allen’s album?
The reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive. Critics called West End Girl one of the most candid pop albums of the decade. Fans praised her for refusing to be silenced, and feminist outlets highlighted how rare it is for women to publicly name their betrayers without apology. The album’s success — No. 3 in the UK — proves audiences crave authenticity over polished PR.
Could this affect David Harbour’s role in Stranger Things Season 5?
Unlikely. Netflix has a history of separating personal drama from professional roles, especially for high-profile stars like Harbour. The show’s creative team has not indicated any changes to his character or storyline. However, public perception may shift — especially if Harbour remains silent as the season’s promotional campaign begins in early 2026.
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