Neil Patrick Harris why Barney toxic How I Met Your Mother
Explained Celebrity News TV

Neil Patrick Harris reveals why Barney seemed a ‘toxic womaniser’ in How I Met Your Mother

'None of the behaviours are, you know, certified, or even true'

Suchismita Ghosh
6th August 2026, 10:58
Add as preferred source on Google
Add as preferred source on Google

Neil Patrick Harris has revealed why his How I Met Your Mother character Barney Stinson came across as so “toxic” throughout the sitcom, and his explanation might completely change the way we look at the character.

Barney was basically the ultimate womaniser during all nine seasons of the hit comedy. He was known for his outrageous pick-up lines, ridiculous schemes and constant attempts to sleep with as many women as possible. Because of that, he is known as as an example of “toxic masculinity” over the years.

But there was actually a reason Barney seemed so over-the-top

Neil Patrick Harris why Barney toxic How I Met Your Mother
Credit: Fox Television

Speaking to The Times, Neil Patrick Harris explained that people often forget How I Met Your Mother isn’t told as a normal story. Instead, the whole series is Ted Mosby’s version of events as he’s telling his children about his life years later. So basically, everything we see is through Ted’s memories rather than being an exact account of what really happened.

“None of the behaviours are, you know, certified, or even true,” Harris said. “So I had the freedom to be much more lascivious. To be much more ridiculous and overt than I imagine Barney probably actually was.”

He added, “He was always the devil on Ted’s shoulder.”

Famously, Barney became one of the show’s most iconic characters. But Harris has previously admitted he wasn’t sure whether someone like him would really work in today’s world.

Back in 2023, How I Met Your Father brought Barney back for two episodes. Writing in his Wondercade newsletter during a chat with How I Met Your Father star Hilary Duff, he said, “As for coming on your show (insert joke here), I worry. Barney’s antics, his overt delusions of grandeur, would likely get everyone in trouble. So, unless he’s changed his ways or joined a nunnery (insert joke here), not sure if it’s in anyone’s best interest.”

Duff completely got where he was coming from. She joked that Barney probably wouldn’t get away with the same behaviour now. She said that “Barney would be in jail in 2022”.

For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page.

Featured image credit: Fox Television.