WhenStranger ThingsSeason 2 debuts on Halloween, the iconic Barb (Shannon Purser) will still be dead, but David Harbour promises that justice for her death will be coming in this highly-anticipated season. Despite only appearing on a handful of episodes, Barb became a cultural phenomenon, whose death sparked tributes and even a surprise appearance during the opening musical number at this year’sGolden Globes, which teased that Barb is still alive. Sadly, Barb is still dead, but during a new interview, David Harbour, who plays Hawkins, Indiana sheriff Jim Hopper in the hit series, revealed that there will be justice and respect for Barb this coming season. Here’s what he had to say below.
“Barb is clearly dead. But as a result, I think, of some of the fandom and also as a result of what we want to explore,justice for Barbis a big thing in Season 2. Barb was not given the justice she deserved in Season 1 because we were focused on Will (Noah Schnapp) and saving a child, but so we’ve realized from the fans that Barb is important, and so we are going to treat her with the respect that she deserves.”
The actor’s comments mirror what series creators Matt and Ross Duffer said aboutStranger Things Season 2, teasing that the events of the entire season spanned just six or seven days, and that they want to further explore Season 1 more fully in the second season. During his interview withTV Guide, David Harbour admitted that the Barb character was great, but nobody had any idea that Barb would take off the way she did. Here’s what the actor had to say below.
“We had no idea how much she would take off. I mean, the hair, the glasses, the blouse, the ‘is that a new bra,’ the judgement, all that, it is so wonderful when it was put together, but we had no idea she would take off in the way she did.”
While Barb is certainly gone for good, there are a number of new characters coming to Hawkins, Indiana this season.Sadie Sinkand Dacre Montgomery will portray step-siblings Max and Billy, who move into town this season. Sadie Sink’s Max will create a “love triangle” when she attracts the attention of both Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo). Billy is said to be quite dangerous with a “violent and unpredictable nature. Other new characters includeSean Astinas Bob Newby, the manager of the local Radio Shack who has been dating Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), which Hopper isn’t too fond of.
While her time onStranger Thingswas certainly short-lived, Shannon Purser has made the most out of her time on the series. She has gone on to star as Ethel Muggs in The CW’s hit seriesRiverdale, and she will be seen next month in the new thrillerWish Upon, along with Melissa McCarthy’sLife of the PartyandShannon Burgess Is a Loser, where she plays the title character. David Harbour has also capitalized on his role as Hopper, recently signing on to star as the title character in a newHellboyreboot for director Neil Marshall.Stranger ThingsSeason 2 will premiere on Halloween, October 31, and its possible we may get new footage during Comic-Con next month.
