Actor Shannon Purser played Barb in Stranger Things.
Actor Shannon Purser played Barb in Stranger Things.
With its kitschy 80s setting and frequent nods to horror and sci-fi films of yesteryear, last year's Netflix hit Stranger Things seemed tailor-made for cult classic status.
What was more surprising was the attention fans paid to one relatively minor character in the show: Barb.
Played by young unknown Shannon Purser, Barb appeared in only a handful of scenes before meeting a sticky end, but there was something about her that struck a chord with viewers.
Tagging along with so-called "friends" who really didn't want her there, sitting alone at parties while the cooler kids drank beer and made out upstairs - Barb became the poster girl for anyone who felt like an outcast or misfit in high school.
Ahead of Purser's appearance at Melbourne Comic-Con next month, the 19-year-old rising star spoke to news.com.au about the intense reaction to the character, whether Barb could come back from the dead and the fan reaction to her own recent coming out.
Have you fronted up to any Comic-Cons since Stranger Things blew up?
I've done about six or seven, and I actually really love them - it's totally something that I would've done before, but I never really got around to it. It's interesting to see it all from the other side of the table. It can be a little bit (overwhelming), but the majority of interactions have been nice and fun and respectful.
Barb's such a minor character in the show but she's so beloved - did you have any inkling she'd catch on in this way?
It was so surprising and funny to me. I loved the script and I loved Barb - I thought she and I were similar in a lot of ways. I never thought she could become the kind of icon that she has. I'm so blown away and so thankful for the part - I mean, I'd been auditioning for about four years when I got Stranger Things.
In a show full of 80s retro looks, Barb really was the most 80s of all.
Oh, that was so much fun; one of my favourite parts of the show. Our wardrobe department worked so hard to find authentic pieces for the costumes. I remember trying on all Barb's clothes, then putting on her glasses and realising 'OK, this is it. THIS is Barb.'
Barb has an intense fanbase - but there are also people who don't see what all the fuss is about this minor character.
One of the reasons she got the kind of attention she did is because she's a bit of a weirdo, a loner, an outcast. A lot of people - more than I anticipated - relate to that. Then some people are like 'Barb was annoying, Barb wasn't that great.' Those are the people who don't seem like they would've been Barb in high school!
You're in a funny predicament now: One of the most popular characters in the show, but already killed off before season two.
I mean, at the end of the first season, we can see that she's pretty clearly dead. She's not looking too great! But it's so funny to me that so many people are holding on to hope. They wanna believe that she'll somehow be OK.
You came out as bisexual recently and said you were 'very very new to the LGBT community'. A couple of months on, are you feeling embraced?
On the majority, I've gotten a very positive response, which I'm very thankful for. There are things I'll have to acclimate to, and it's going to take a while. It's really helped having so many people get in touch to tell me thy're rooting for me and supporting me.
