David Harbour is currently nominated for a Supporting Actor Emmy for his role as Floyd Smernitch in the HBO limited series "DTF St. Louis." This marks his third Emmy nomination, with two prior nominations for his portrayal of Jim Hopper in "Stranger Things." Harbour, who also produced "DTF St. Louis," expressed immense gratitude for the show's 13 nominations, comparing it to seeing one's children get into a good college.

"I’m okay, but I’m really excited that we have 13 nominations," Harbour told Decider. "It feels like your babies just got into a good college or something. It’s just really exciting that people embraced the show."

Harbour noted that while "Stranger Things" was a broad-based appeal show, "DTF St. Louis" had a delicate tone and might have been considered niche. However, he believes the series managed to connect with a wider audience than anticipated. "We knew the show had such a delicate tone and it might not be for everybody... I think we cracked it in a way that it has broader appeal," he said.

Harbour has been involved in the development of "DTF St. Louis" with series creator Steve Conrad since early 2022. He highlighted that this involvement, including producing the show, makes this nomination feel particularly special and personal. "I love Stranger Things and not to take anything away from Stranger Things, but it’s not mine; it’s the Duffers’ and Netflix. We’re jobbed in and doing our best and it’s great, but this, DTF, really does feel like it’s [mine]," he explained.

Character and Performance

Harbour described Floyd as a character with a "truly good heart" that emerges in unexpected ways, citing moments like a kind kiss to a character played by Peter Sarsgaard and his neuroses about the interaction. He also emphasized the importance of the character's physicality, particularly his use of American Sign Language (ASL) as a form of expression after feeling shame about his body. Harbour noted that his work on the show involved exploring the tension between biological needs and societal expectations.

He also spoke about the use of a bodysuit, which he felt allowed him greater freedom in embodying the character. "I think that anytime—like acting in general—anytime you wear a mask, I think it allows you to express what you really feel in a way," Harbour said.

Harbour also discussed key life moments for Floyd, including his Playgirl shoot, his marriage to Carol, and his discovery of ASL and his wife's subsequent rejection of it, which he believes created a rift in their relationship. He found his dynamic with co-stars Linda Cardellini and Arlan [Ruf] to be intuitive, and his connection with Jason Bateman, who plays Clark, felt like meeting a brother.

Storytelling Approach

The non-linear structure of "DTF St. Louis" presented a significant challenge during development and production. Harbour, who was primarily involved in the backstory, relied on Conrad to guide him through the timeline. The focus, he stated, was on maintaining the show's tone and making the characters feel three-dimensional and believable, despite often complex dialogue and situations.

"DTF St. Louis" is currently streaming on HBO Max. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to air live on NBC and Peacock on September 14.