One of last year's most highly acclaimed breakout series is "Stranger Things," which excellence has now been proven with its 18 Emmy nominations. The Duffer Brothers-created sci-fi web series from Netflix is returning with a second season this October, during which viewers will be treated to nine more episodes of heart-racing suspense. One of the best things to come out of the series is Shannon Purser's Barb, a supporting character with whom most audiences truly connected with.
Even in the sidelines, Barb was a representation of each audience member, asking the picture-perfect Nancy (Natalia Dyer) to come to her senses when it came to chasing one particular boy: Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).
It was with great shock when the Demogorgon took Nancy as its first victim in the sleepy town of Hawkins. Audiences felt that her death was unwarranted after all the efforts she made to be a good friend and a voice of reason to Nancy. While some held out hope that she would return, Barb was found dead by Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour), and that's how #JusticeforBarb began. In a recent in-depth interview with Deadline, Purser talked about just how much work went into her brief stint on "Stranger Things" and what she thinks of viewers' overwhelming response to Barb.
Viewers' appreciation for Barb is 'fascinating'
One of the reasons why Shannon Purser's Barb resonated so well with audiences was that she wasn't really one of the cool kids.
The 20-year old actress was well aware of this. She explained to Deadline that Barb became so relatable to audiences because she was "an outcast and awkward," someone who "have been a third wheel or have been stuck at a party we didn’t want to be at." But Purser was also quick to point out that she didn't play the character as that particular stereotype.
She said, "In my mind, Barb wasn’t a stereotype or a trope: She was a real, complex human being, and that was really my goal in playing her."
Barb's death scene was an 'adventure'
As Barb's final bow from "Stranger Things," Shannon Purser had to slide down a swimming pool to show audiences that she was being claimed by the Demogorgon.
The actress admitted that she did her own stunts with the help of a stunt coordinator, who pulled her into the pool.
She admitted that she wanted to "be as involved as I can" in the process. Production didn't tell her at what exact moment she was to be pulled downward in order to get a more realistic shot. Purser also shared that Mark Steger, who plays the Demogorgon, was also on set despite not being in front of the camera for the scene.
"Stranger Things" season 2, sans Barb and the Demogorgon, will premiere on October 27.
