Amybeth McNulty Reflects on Surreal Journey in ‘Stranger Things’

Irish actress Amybeth McNulty has described her time in the Stranger Things universe as both surreal and transformative. The star, who gained recognition for her role in Anne with an E, joined the cast of the popular Netflix series during its fourth season, portraying Vickie, a student at Hawkins High School and the girlfriend of Robin Buckley, played by Maya Hawke.

In a recent appearance on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty, McNulty reflected on her experience, stating, “It’s been a weird couple of years.” The 24-year-old actress expressed her astonishment at the show’s immense popularity. “It’s insane, I feel like a little cog in this very massive machine,” she said, highlighting the overwhelming scale of the production.

McNulty’s journey to securing the role was influenced by her long-standing admiration for the series. She noted, “I know what the show likes, I know the pacing,” and felt confident during the audition process. Upon receiving the news of her casting, she reacted with a mix of excitement and disbelief. “I was screaming, crying down the phone,” she recalled.

The audition carried deep emotional significance for McNulty, as it was the last one her parents were aware of before their passing. She shared, “They said they had a good feeling about it and they were right.” Raised in Letterkenny, County Donegal, by her Irish father and Canadian mother, McNulty moved to Canada at the age of 14 to pursue her acting career.

Reflecting on her family’s support, she stated, “They moved with me to Canada… I was very, very lucky they were retired and they were able to do that for me.” Their encouragement has left a lasting impact on her career.

Before gaining international fame, McNulty trained in ballet and participated in local theatre productions at An Grianán Theatre. These formative experiences contributed to her passion for acting. She fondly remembered her hometown, emphasizing the sense of community that shaped her early years. “There is a real sense of family there. It was everything,” she said.

McNulty’s acting career began in 2014 when she appeared as Jenny Rane in the RTÉ One series Clean Break. As she navigates her role in a show celebrated for its diverse representation, McNulty has been vocal about the importance of portraying queer characters. Growing up as “a queer kid in Donegal,” she came out online at 16, sharing that her experiences influenced her approach to the role of Vickie.

She explained the significance of her character in the context of the show, stating, “I wanted to do it justice and do it right for kids like me growing up.” McNulty believes that while the storyline includes elements of horror and adventure set in the 1980s, the representation of queer identities is an essential aspect. “I think it is important, especially when the queer storyline is a part of their chapter, whilst they’re dealing with monsters… it doesn’t have to be about that. It is just a part of it. I think that is ideal.”

As Stranger Things continues to captivate audiences worldwide, McNulty’s contributions to the series underscore the evolving landscape of representation in popular media. Her journey from County Donegal to the international stage serves as an inspiration for many young actors and advocates for diversity in storytelling.