Stranger Things' Barb actor talks about the overwhelming fan reaction to her character's death 

The death of Barb in the first season of Stranger Things became one of the biggest early moments from the show. Numerous fans expressed disappointment and even rage about the death of the character. The response was so great that it went viral. Even years later, after the first season was released, people are still discussing Barb and the way her storyline ended.

Shannon Purser, the actress who played Barb, has talked about her reaction on several occasions before, and in her most recent interview here, she discussed her response to the show airing and everyone's reaction to her character. Barb was only in a few episodes of Stranger Things, and she wasn't even in it until near the end. Still, the story resonated with many people, and many were impacted by it.

Barb was an average teenager who was loyal to her friend Nancy, but was unfortunately left out. The last time we see Barb is in a prominent scene, in which Nancy leaves her alone at a party. This vital scene led to her being abducted by the Demogorgon. Fans felt that she was worth more than what was given, and it made sense that people could be so upset and start the movement known as "Justice for Barb."

Although her time on the series was brief, the reaction was immense. Purser indicated that she had never expected anything like that. It was surprising how people were invested in a character that only had a few scenes. However, she was grateful that the audience recognized something special in Barb.

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Fans wanted justice for Barb from Stranger Things

When the first season of Stranger Things aired, many fans shared posts about Barb's death. They said she had been left behind by her best friend and ignored by the people around her. They said the show did not give her story enough care. These thoughts spread fast online and created a large group of viewers who demanded answers.

Purser stated that she was astonished by the extent of the response. She stated that several individuals were very distressed regarding the fate of the character. She added that she then realized her character had impacted many people, far from what she expected. She also said that she found it amusing when big names, including John Stamos, tweeted about Barb, since events like that underscored just how far along the show had gone.

Despite the strong reaction, Purser stated she always felt fine with how the show handled her character. She understood where the creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, felt they needed a death early, in order to create real danger for the show. She agreed that someone needed to be the first to die for the story to feel serious.

Her simple way of looking at it shows she never held anything against the show. She said she trusted the Duffers and their plans. She believed the story needed high stakes, and Barb was part of that. She also said,

"It was actually an honor to be one of the first ones to go"

She believes that it helped shape how viewers understood the danger in the world of Stranger Things.

The show did incorporate more character deaths in subsequent seasons, but many fans agree that the original cast group tends to survive. Some viewers insist that Barb's early death remains one of the very few genuine shocks in the entire series. Purser seems aware of this, and she accepts the role with calm and humor.

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How did Barb's story live on in Stranger Things?

The strong fan reaction to Barb affected Stranger Things season 2. In that season, Nancy tries to give Barb's parents some peace. The writers added these moments because the online push was so big. Many fans felt the show had not taken Barb's disappearance seriously, so Stranger Things season 2 addressed that by showing how her parents struggled to find the truth.

Purser also gained a lot of attention from the role. Even though she appeared in only a few scenes, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. She became the only actor from the show Stranger Things to be nominated in that category. Only Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour have been nominated in acting categories besides her. This made her short time on the series even more meaningful in the long run.

The show's creators also spoke about why they believed Barb connected so strongly with viewers. In an interview, they said Barb felt like someone many people knew in real life. Matt Duffer said,

"We had friends who were Nancy, who left us. We did not die, but we died on the inside."

They said the feeling of being left behind was something many people understood, and that is why the character stayed in people's minds.

They also shared that Netflix kept giving notes to ensure the town of Hawkins did not forget Barb in later seasons. Even though she was no longer on screen, the effect of her death remained in the story through small mentions and moments of regret from Nancy.

Matt Duffer said the reaction to Barb was the first big "viral moment" Stranger Things had. He noted that Purser brought a lot of heart to the character, which helped people connect to her quickly. Although she only appeared in a handful of scenes, she certainly left a mark, and that mark helped to make Barb one of the icons of the early days of the series.

Purser herself appears to be pleased that people continue to remember Barb from Stranger Things. Shannon said she is thankful that the role meant so much to so many. Barb may not have had a large role on the show, but the impact was massive.