Shannon Purser (born June 27, 1997) is an American actress. She made her acting debut as Barb in the first season of the Netflix drama series Stranger Things (2016), for which she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
Purser made her film debut in the supernatural horror film Wish Upon (2017), and starred in the romantic comedy Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018). She also portrayed the recurring role of Ethel Muggs in the CW teen drama series Riverdale (2017–2023).
Early life Purser was born on June 27, 1997, in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2016, Purser was attending Kennesaw State University. She formerly worked at a movie theater in her hometown of Roswell, Georgia, but quit in order to focus on acting.
Career Purser made her acting debut in the Netflix science fiction drama series Stranger Things. She portrayed the character Barbara Holland, an intelligent and outspoken girl, who is the best friend of Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer). Despite her being a minor character and killed off in the third episode, several outlets called Barb one of their favorite characters. The role brought Purser to international fame, and earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
Purser portrays Ethel Muggs in The CW's teen drama series Riverdale. In 2018, she played the titular role in the film Sierra Burgess Is a Loser. She had a minor role in the comedy film Life of the Party, which ended up being cut. Purser played Annabelle Bowman, a member of the drama troupe at Stanton High, in the drama Rise, and read the audiobook of Leah on the Offbeat.
In 2026, it was announced that Purser will make her NYC stage debut this fall in The Ask, an off-Broadway play co-starring Marilu Henner.
Personal life Purser is an amateur visual artist and musician. She has spoken about living with obsessive–compulsive disorder, and regularly advocates for mental health and anxiety-awareness. In 2017, Purser came out as bisexual.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2017 Wish Upon June Acosta 2018 Life of the Party Connie Deleted scenes Sierra Burgess Is a Loser Sierra Burgess
Television Year Title Role Notes 2016 Stranger Things Barbara "Barb" Holland 3 episodes 2017–2023 Riverdale Ethel Muggs 25 episodes 2018 Rise Annabelle Bowman 10 episodes 2018–2019 Final Space Shannon Thunder (voice) 4 episodes 2020 Room 104 Megan Episode: "The Hikers" Equal Del Martin Docuseries, 1 episode 2022 The First Lady Peg Episode: "Please Allow Me"2025 Mono Torayo Kurokuma (voice) English dub Watson Shannon Episode: "Shannon Says Bex Loves Micah"
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2017 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Stranger Things
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