Barbara Holland

Barbara Holland
Biographical information
Status	Deceased
Born	September 13, 1967
Died	November 8, 1983
Age	16 (at time of death)
Aliases	"Barb"
Residence	Hawkins
Family	Marsha Holland (mother) Mr. Holland (father)
Other relations	Nancy Wheeler (best friend)
Occupation	High school student at Hawkins High School
Physical information
Eye color	Brown
Hair color	Red
Portrayal
Main actor	Shannon Purser
Episodes	1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

“

Nance, seriously, you're gonna be so cool now, it's ridiculous. -- You better still hang out with me, that's all I'm saying. — Barbara to her best friend, Nancy Wheeler.

”

Barbara Holland, more commonly referred to as Barb, is a recurring character in the first season. She was the best friend of Nancy Wheeler. In late 1983, Barb mysteriously vanishes, which leads Nancy and Jonathan Byers to investigate her disappearance. Eventually, it was revealed that she had been killed by the Demogorgon. In 1984, following an acknowledgment of Hawkins Lab's involvement in her death, she was given a proper funeral.

Quick Answers

Who is Barbara Holland in Stranger Things?

Barbara 'Barb' Holland is a recurring character in the first season of Stranger Things, portrayed by Shannon Purser. She is best known as the best friend of Nancy Wheeler. In the series, Barb mysteriously vanishes, leading Nancy and Jonathan Byers to investigate her disappearance. It is later revealed that she was killed by the Demogorgon. Following an acknowledgment of Hawkins Lab’s involvement in her death, she was given a proper funeral. Barb's character has gained significant popularity among the show's fans.

Provided by: Fandom

What is the relationship between Barb and Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things?

Barbara 'Barb' Holland and Nancy Wheeler are best friends in the first season of Stranger Things. Their friendship is a central part of the storyline, especially when Barb mysteriously vanishes, leading Nancy and Jonathan Byers to investigate her disappearance. Unfortunately, it is later revealed that Barb was killed by the Demogorgon.

Provided by: Fandom

What led to the investigation of Barb's disappearance in Stranger Things?

Barbara 'Barb' Holland, a character from Stranger Things, mysteriously vanished in late 1983. This unexpected disappearance led her best friend, Nancy Wheeler, and Jonathan Byers to start an investigation. Barb's disappearance was later revealed to be a result of her being killed by the Demogorgon, a creature from the Upside Down.

Provided by: Fandom

Who portrayed the character of Barb in Stranger Things?

The character of Barb in Stranger Things was portrayed by actress Shannon Purser. This role was Shannon's first acting gig and due to the character's popularity, it catapulted her to fame.

Provided by: Fandom

What was the fate of Barb in Stranger Things?

Barbara 'Barb' Holland, a beloved character from Stranger Things, met a tragic end. In the first season, Barb mysteriously vanishes, leading her best friend Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers to investigate her disappearance. It was later revealed that she was killed by the Demogorgon. In 1984, following an acknowledgment of Hawkins Lab’s involvement in her death, she was given a proper funeral. Barb's death had a significant impact on the show, with characters still grieving her loss in subsequent seasons.

Provided by: Fandom

History

Background

Nancy's photos of her and Barb

Family portraits of Barb

Barbara Holland was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Holland. She attended Hawkins High School and at some point became the best friend of Nancy Wheeler.

In 1983, Nancy began dating Steve Harrington, a popular boy at school, making out with him "a couple of times". Nancy and Barb went clothes-shopping one weekend, with Nancy seeking to impress Steve.

1983

Barb seemed cautious about Nancy's relationship with Steve and her growing popularity. She expressed her dislike of Steve's friends Tommy and Carol, telling Nancy she wanted to keep "hanging out" with her.

Barb reluctantly agreed to drive Nancy to a party at Steve's house. At the party, she attempted to shotgun a beer can, opening it with a knife so she would fit in with the others - however, she accidentally cut her hand in the process.

Feeling frustrated, Barb confronted Nancy as she went upstairs to Steve's bedroom. She emotionally suggested to Nancy that she thought she was acting superficially, and not being true to herself. Nancy did not take her seriously, brushing her off and telling her to go home.

Barb sits by the pool alone

A lonely Barb sat by the now vacant pool, looking into her reflection and contemplating. As she did so, blood from her wound trickled through her bandage, splashing and dissolving in the water. The Demogorgon was attracted by the scent, suddenly appearing behind her and pulling her into the Upside Down. Jonathan Byers unknowingly captured this moment on camera as he hid in the nearby foliage.

Barb struggles to escape the pool

Hurt and disoriented, Barb woke up in the Upside Down's version of the pool, which was empty. Upon noticing the Demogorgon, she attempted to climb out of the pool, but she was dragged back down and killed by the Demogorgon. However, the Demogorgon didn't completely devour her.

Barbara found dead by Eleven

Both Nancy and Mrs Holland grew increasingly worried about Barb when she did not show up to school the next day. A few days later, Eleven, while immersed in a deep psychic state, scoured the Upside Down to find Barb and Will Byers. She discovered Barb's body, witnessing a slug-like creature slithering from Barb's mouth and across her face.

Later that night, Chief Hopper and Will's mother Joyce entered the Upside Down of the public library as the search for Will continued; they walked past the remains of the Demogorgon's victims, including Barb's corpse.

1984

A year later, Barbara's death acted as the inspiration for Nancy and Jonathan in their endeavor to expose the Hawkins National Laboratory. With help from a private investigator, Murray Bauman, who was also investigating Barb's death, the three worked together to release evidence recorded from Dr. Owen's confession. Eventually it was a success that resulted in the shutdown of Hawkins Lab, and Barbara was finally given a proper funeral.

Personality

Barb was a very kind, cautious, sensible and smart girl. When Nancy went to Steve's house, Barb wasn't at all happy about it, due to her dislike for Steve and the popular group. Barb was also very quiet, brave and good spirited.

Relationships

Family

• Mrs. Holland – Mother
• Mr. Holland – Father

Other relationships

• Nancy Wheeler – Best Friend

Appearances

Season One appearances
The Vanishing of Will Byers	The Weirdo on Maple Street	Holly, Jolly	The Body*
The Flea and the Acrobat	The Monster	The Bathtub*	The Upside Down*

Season Two appearances
MADMAX*	Trick or Treat, Freak	The Pollywog
Will the Wise	Dig Dug	The Spy
The Lost Sister	The Mind Flayer	The Gate*

^{*Barbara's corpse was seen in "The Bathtub" and "The Upside Down" after her death in "Holly, Jolly". Barbara can also be seen via photograph in "The Body" as well as in "MADMAX" and "The Gate".}

Family tree

note: family trees are only visible on desktop.

Mr. Holland

Marsha Holland

Barbara Holland †

Memorable Quotes

• "I'm chill."
• "This isn't you..."
• ”NANCY!!!!” (Final words before death)

Trivia

• Despite her minor role, Barb became a breakout character and popular among fans. Her early death has inspired trends such as "#JusticeForBarb" and "#WeAreAllBarb".
  • Barb's popularity among fans led to her death playing a larger role in the plot of Season 2, acknowledged by Nancy being angered that no one seems to care about her.
• When Nancy is talking with Mrs. Holland on the phone, she tells her a lie about Barb being at the library. Ironically, this would turn out to be true, as her corpse was found in the Upside Down version of the library.
• Barb was featured in the opening for the 2017 Golden Globes, where Eleven, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas revealed she was "still alive." While this was just meant to be a comedic nod to fans, it actually led to some confusion over whether Barb was actually dead. However, her death had long been confirmed, with Millie Bobby Brown also confirming that she was still dead.
• The childhood pictures of Barb seen in the Holland's home in MADMAX are the real childhood pictures of Shannon Purser, actress of Barb.
• Barb has only met 3 main character on screen, Nancy, Steve & Jonathan. It's possible she met Mike and Karen as she was friends with Nancy. Barb's corpses was seen by Eleven in a vision and her dead body was seen by Joyce and Hopper in the upside down. It's possible that Will also saw Barb dead or alive in the upside down.

Gallery