Barb from 'Stranger Things' Surprised Everyone By Scoring an Emmy Nomination

People are losing their minds over Shannon Purser's Emmy nomination.

Shannon Purser
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Image via Getty/Christopher Polk

Shannon Purser

This year’s Emmy nominations were officially announced today, but there is one nominee in particular causing a stir. Shannon Purser, 20, who played the fan favorite Barb on Stranger Things, snagged an outstanding guest actress in a drama series nomination.

Wow. I am so incredibly honored. Thank you so much. Congratulations  to all the other incredible nominees. @TheEmmys

Purser appeared only in four of the eight episodes of the Netflix original show, but it was more than enough for her character Barb to gain a healthy following and even a hashtag: #JusticeForBarb. In the show, Barb is the quirky, slightly nerdy best friend to Nancy Wheeer, who is concerned over Nancy’s budding relationship with Steve. After left alone by the pool at a party at Steve’s house, Barb vanishes. Even though Will, another character in the show, also vanishes and returns, Stranger Things showrunners the Duffer brothers have confirmed that Barb is truly gone… which makes her nomination all the more surprising.

This is Purser’s first nomination for an Emmy, but only one of 18 Emmy nominations for Stranger Things. Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour both were nominated for best supporting actress and actor in a drama series, and the show was also nominated for best drama series. You can read the full list of nominations here.

Many fans of the show, and Barb, rushed to Twitter to voice their surprise and happiness that Purser was recognized by the TV academy.

#JusticeForBarb: SHANNON PURSER IS NOMINATED FOR OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA!!! #StrangerThings #Emmyts pic.twitter.com/tjbZvEJvuM
BARB IS BACK FROM THE DEAD WITH AN EMMY NOM GOD BLESS #JusticeForBarb pic.twitter.com/zT5UlK8v8A
This really is excellent 😂❤️ #JusticeForBarb https://t.co/3mMecNMZpq
Barb from #StrangerThings got nominated for an #Emmys2017 At this very moment, all is right in the world #JusticeForBarb
HI @shannonpurser IS OFFICIALLY *EMMY* NOMINATED FOR HER ROLE AS BARB IN @Stranger_Things AND WE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE NO #JusticeForBarb pic.twitter.com/ptJuHjNm90
The most important news to come out of the Emmy nominations is that we finally got SOME #JusticeForBarb pic.twitter.com/WkZ8NSOTgo

Stranger Things season 2 will premiere October 27, 2018.

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