David Harbour Transforms With Prosthetics for HBO's 'DTF St. Louis'

The actor opens up about the process of wearing a 30-pound prosthetic belly for his role in the new limited drama.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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In the upcoming HBO limited series 'DTF St. Louis', actor David Harbour plays Floyd, one of three lead characters experiencing a middle-aged malaise in the suburbs. To achieve the look his character needed, Harbour wore a 30-pound prosthetic belly that took an hour to put on each day. The actor discusses the transformation process, noting that while the prosthetic was 'incredible', he could have likely achieved a similar look by just bulking up a bit more. Harbour shares that the prosthetic gave him a 'freedom' to play the character, who is self-conscious about his weight gain over the years.

Why it matters

Harbour's use of prosthetics to transform his appearance for the role highlights the lengths actors will go to fully embody a character. The prosthetic belly was used to comedic effect, but also to reflect the character's struggles with his self-image and relationships. This type of physical transformation is common in the entertainment industry, as actors seek to authentically portray characters that may differ significantly from their own appearances.

The details

According to Harbour, the prosthetic belly was a 30-pound 'vest' that wrapped around his waist and love handles. It was printed out of latex and required spirit gum to attach each day, taking about an hour to put on. Harbour said he could have likely achieved a similar look by just bulking up more, but the prosthetic gave him a 'freedom' to play the character. The prosthetic was used both for comedic effect and to reflect the character's struggles with his weight and self-consciousness.

  • Harbour filmed 'DTF St. Louis' in 2025 for its premiere in 2026.

The players

David Harbour

An American actor known for his roles in 'Stranger Things', 'Black Widow', and now the lead in the new HBO limited series 'DTF St. Louis'.

Floyd

Harbour's character in 'DTF St. Louis', one of three lead characters experiencing a middle-aged malaise in the suburbs.

Carol

Floyd's wife, played by Linda Cardellini, who is one of the three lead characters in 'DTF St. Louis'.

Clark

Floyd's coworker, played by Jason Bateman, who is the third lead character in 'DTF St. Louis'.

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What they’re saying

“It is used a bit for comedic effect, but also I wanted it to play as he uses food in a certain way, and to play as the reality of a guy who's not getting hits on these sites, and various things. We wanted to highlight some of the struggles that he has.”

— David Harbour, Actor

“The prosthetic itself was incredible. It's so funny. I keep thinking back to the prosthetic because... I don't know that I really needed it. I mean, it only added [a little bit]... I could have really just bulked up a little bit more, and I think I would have been fine, but it was nice to have, because there's something about having a mask that allows you a freedom.”

— David Harbour, Actor

What’s next

Viewers will have to tune in to HBO when 'DTF St. Louis' premieres on March 1, 2026 to see how Harbour's character Floyd and the other lead characters' stories unfold.

The takeaway

David Harbour's use of a 30-pound prosthetic belly to transform his appearance for the HBO series 'DTF St. Louis' highlights the lengths actors will go to authentically portray characters that differ from their own looks. While the prosthetic was effective, Harbour noted he could have likely achieved a similar result through just bulking up, demonstrating the creative process actors go through to bring complex characters to life.