After a devastating ending to season four of Stranger Things, fans have been eagerly awaiting news of whether Jim Hopper (played by David Harbour) is actually still alive or not. Predictably, the creators of the show and the actor himself have all been keeping tight-lipped about the massive spoiler over the last few months. However, David Harbour did seem to drop a big hint in his recent Saturday Night Live appearance.
Did David Harbour reveal Hopper’s fate on SNL?
The season finale of Stranger Things season three revealed that Chief Hopper had been killed in an explosion.
This happened after Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) was forced to blow up the room while he was stil trapped inside in order to stop the gate to the Upside Down reopening.
His tragic death was confirmed as the series jumped forward a few months into the future and the characters were left dealing with his passing.
However, in the months since the show ended, two major fan theories have emerged proving that he is still alive.
READ MORE: Stranger Things season 4: Could the new season be out in December?
Stranger Things season 4: Is Hopper dead? (Image: NETFLIX)
The first is based on the final reveal of a secret base in Kamchatka, Russia, which was housing an ‘American’ prisoner.
This led a number of people to think that this could be Hopper if he was somehow saved and taken hostage.
The second is that Hopper managed to escape into the Upside Down before the explosion and is currently hiding out there.
The latter has been teased in the latest trailer clip, which shows what seems to be Hopper’s cabin in the alternative dimension with a light on outside of it.
READ MORE: Stranger Things season 4: 6 Easter Eggs you missed in the trailer
Stranger Things season 4: Did David Harbour reveal Hopper’s fate on SNL? (Image: GETTY)
Now actor David Harbour has dropped another hint about the character’s fate in a television appearance.
He hosted sketch show Saturday Night Live this weekend when he spoke about his Stranger Things character.
The short clip sees him head into the Upside Down version of the studio, bumping into his fellow cast members.
One particularly hilarious moment saw comedian Pete Davidson appear and ask him: “Didn’t you like die in here at the end of the show? Are you dead?”
Harbour replied: “No, I mean I don’t, I’m not exactly authorised to… Just watch the show, you’ll find out next season.”
READ MORE: Stranger Things: Does new teaser prove Hopper is in the Upside Down?
Stranger Things season 4: David Harbour hosted SNL (Image: GETTY)
While the moment did not reveal much, many fans have been pointing out that his first answer was “no,” which has given viewers some hope.
Viewer @rcdrcbin posted the clip on Twitter adding: “As if we needed anymore proof that Hopper was alive.”
Another called @needleroses said: “Did David Harbour just confirm that Hopper is alive #SNL.”
“Pete asked are you dead in the show and David said no…I mean idk, I’m not authorized to say just watch next season. Ok Hopper confirmed alive!! #SNL #StrangerThings,” added a third user @cuzimwhereitsat.
READ MORE: Stranger Things season 4 Netflix release date, cast, trailer, plot
Stranger Things season 4: Fans responded to the moment on Twitter (Image: TWITTER/@NEEDLEROSES)
Stranger Things season 4: Users were excited about the reveal (Image: TWITTER/@RCDRCBIN)
Stranger Things season 4: Could this mean Hopper will be back? (Image: TWITTER/@CUZIMWHEREITSAT)
This all comes after a number of rumours have been emerging about Hopper’s potential fate when the show renewal was announced.
Before he appeared on SNL, actor Harbour also dropped a hint on Late Night with Seth Meyers when he called the Duffer Brothers to ask if Hopper was alive.
The actor said: “There’s this thing where there’s the American and I thought ‘oh, clearly I’m the American’ and then I haven’t gotten many phone calls.”
However, when Harbour called the creator and asked if he was dead, Ross Duffer said: “We’re still figuring it out, David.”
Stranger Things seasons 1-3 are currently available to stream on Netflix.
