The character Barb Holland was only in three episodes of Stranger Things, but she left a massive mark. Played by actress Shannon Purser, Barb became an unexpected symbol and sparked a massive fan movement. While the show’s final season airs in 2025, many still remember the loyal friend from the pool. This is a look at the actress behind the role and her journey since that first big Hawkins tragedy.
How Barb Became a ‘Stranger Things’ Icon
Barb entered the story in 1983 as the sensible, slightly nerdy best friend of Nancy Wheeler. At a party at Steve Harrington’s house, Barb cut her hand and went to clean up while Nancy went upstairs with Steve. Alone by the pool, her blood attracted the Demogorgon, a monster from the Upside Down. The creature pulled her into the other dimension, where she was killed.
While the town quickly moved on, Nancy was wracked with guilt. Barb’s death became the catalyst for Nancy’s entire storyline, pushing her to investigate the Hawkins Lab with Jonathan Byers. Fans connected with Barb’s relatable, grounded personality and felt her death was treated as an afterthought in the show. This led to the viral #JusticeForBarb campaign online, with viewers demanding acknowledgment for the character.
The show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, stood by their decision for Barb to stay dead. Shannon Purser confirmed in a 2025 interview that there were talks about bringing her back for flashbacks, but the idea was shot down.
“It’s important for the story and for the stakes that somebody is actually in danger,” Purser said, agreeing with the decision. “If everybody just gets off scot-free every time there’s danger, then there’s no real fear in it.”
Barb’s legacy continued to haunt the series. In later seasons, Vecna used Nancy’s guilt over Barb’s death to torment her, showing Barb’s corpse again in a vision. For the final season in 2025, reports indicate Barb’s body will be shown once more, though Purser noted she did not film new scenes.
Shannon Purser’s Breakout Role and Immediate Fame
Shannon Purser was just 18 years old and in her senior year of high school when she landed the role of Barb. It was her first professional acting job. She had previously worked at a movie theater in Atlanta and quit to focus on acting. She had no idea the show would become a global hit.
The night the show premiered on Netflix in July 2016, her life changed almost instantly.
“The thing that really clued me in that something was happening was my follower accounts on Twitter and Instagram really skyrocketed super fast,” Purser recalled. She went from having about 200 followers to tens of thousands overnight.
The role earned her widespread critical praise and an unexpected honor: a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2017. This was a rare achievement for a debut performance.
Key Roles After ‘Stranger Things’
Following her sudden fame, Purser quickly landed other significant roles:
- Ethel Muggs on Riverdale (2017-2023): She joined the cast of The CW’s dark teen drama, playing the quiet and often misunderstood Ethel Muggs for multiple seasons.
- Lead Role in Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018): Purser earned her first leading film role in this Netflix teen comedy, playing the titular character.
- Voice Acting and Other Projects: She voiced characters in the animated series Final Space and appeared in other shows like Rise and Room 104. In 2025, she is credited with voice work in an English dub titled Mono.
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Where Shannon Purser Is Now in 2025
As Stranger Things airs its fifth and final season, Shannon Purser is 28 years old. While she attended the premiere for the final season, she was not involved in the new filming. She continues to act and has built a career on playing sincere, relatable characters.
Beyond acting, she is known for her advocacy. She has spoken openly about living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and regularly promotes mental health awareness. In 2017, she came out as bisexual, using her platform to support LGBTQ+ issues.
Reflecting on the unique #JusticeForBarb phenomenon, Purser remains grateful.
“I fully believed that people would not care about my character at all, and that they would forget about her,” she said. “It was definitely flattering… I guess something I did struck a chord with people.”
The final eight episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 are being released in three volumes on November 26, December 25, and December 31, 2025, on Netflix.
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