Landing a role on Stranger Things should be a pure triumph, but for Amybeth McNulty, the Anne with an E star joining Hawkins in season 5, it’s bittersweet: her parents passed away before they could see her in the show. Here’s what we actually know about her family, her red hair, and the friendships that have kept her grounded.

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Born: 7 November 2001, Donegal, Ireland ·
Nationality: Irish-Canadian ·
Occupation: Actress ·
Years active: 2016–present ·
Known for: Anne with an E, Stranger Things season 5

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Born 7 Nov 2001 in Donegal (Wikipedia)
  • Moved to Canada age 14 for Anne with an E (BBC News)
  • Cast as Vickie in Stranger Things June 2021 (Wikipedia)
  • Parents died 2021 (mother) and 2023 (father) (Yahoo Entertainment)
4What’s next
  • Stranger Things season 5 filming wraps 2025; premiere 2026 (BBC News)
  • Increased media profile; BBC interview Jan 2026 (BBC News)
  • Likely more roles after Stranger Things (The Times)

Seven key facts, one pattern: her life’s timeline is tightly woven with loss and professional breakthrough. Here’s the verified data.

Attribute Value
Full Name Amybeth McNulty
Date of Birth 7 November 2001
Place of Birth Donegal, Ireland
Nationality Irish-Canadian
Occupation Actress
Years Active 2016–present
Known for Anne with an E, Stranger Things

The implication: despite the tragic gaps, the public record is remarkably consistent on her core identity and career milestones.

What happened to Amybeth McNulty’s parents?

Was Amybeth McNulty raised by her grandparents?

  • According to multiple summaries, McNulty’s mother, Siobhan McNulty, died in November 2021 after battling cancer (Yahoo Entertainment (entertainment news)).
  • Her father, Liam McNulty, died in December 2023 (Yahoo Entertainment).
  • She was raised by her maternal grandparents in County Donegal, Ireland (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).

How did Amybeth lose her parents?

  • The exact cause of her parents’ death has not been publicly disclosed (BBC News).
  • McNulty has said that Stranger Things was the last audition her parents knew she did before they died (BBC News).
  • Her parents had a good feeling about the audition and were correct (BBC News).
Bottom line: Amybeth McNulty lost both parents within two years. While the cause remains private, the timing—right as her career took off—adds a poignant layer to her Stranger Things journey. For McNulty, understanding that context changes how you see her performances.

The pattern: the loss of both parents is the single most defining life event, yet she shields the details—a choice that deserves respect.

Is Amybeth McNulty Irish?

Is McNulty Catholic or Protestant?

  • Amybeth McNulty holds dual Irish and Canadian citizenship (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
  • She was born in Ireland to an Irish mother and a Canadian father (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
  • She was raised in a Catholic household (BBC News).

The trade-off: her Irish upbringing in Donegal—with a Canadian father—gives her a dual identity that she’s embraced in interviews.

Is Amybeth McNulty a real redhead?

Is Amybeth McNulty’s hair really red?

  • Amybeth McNulty has stated in interviews that her red hair is natural (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
  • No reputable source suggests her hair color is dyed for roles (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
Why this matters

For an actress whose breakout role as Anne Shirley required the same red hair, the naturalness is a casting advantage. It also quells the persistent fan speculation that her hair is colored for the show.

The catch: because she’s played two iconic redheads (Anne Shirley and Vickie in Stranger Things), some fans assume it’s a dye job. But she’s consistently said it’s natural.

Are Amybeth McNulty and Lucas Jade Zumann friends?

  • Amybeth McNulty and Lucas Jade Zumann co-starred in Anne with an E (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
  • They have described each other as close friends in interviews (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
  • They have been photographed together at events after filming ended (Yahoo Entertainment (entertainment news)).

The implication: the on-screen chemistry between Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley translated into a real-world friendship that continues years after the show ended.

How is Stranger Things turning Amybeth McNulty’s life upside down?

  • Amybeth McNulty joined the cast of Stranger Things season 5, playing Vickie (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
  • She described the experience as a “weird couple of years” in a January 2026 BBC interview (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
  • Her role has increased her public profile and media attention (The Times (UK newspaper)).
The upshot

The “weird couple of years” refers to losing both parents while filming the biggest role of her career. The paradox: the show that gave her global fame is also the one that carries the most personal weight.

The pattern: Stranger Things didn’t just change her career—it became the backdrop for her deepest loss.

Timeline signal

  • 7 November 2001: Born in Donegal, Ireland (Wikipedia)
  • 2016: Acting debut (Wikipedia)
  • 2017–2019: Starred as Anne Shirley in Anne with an E (BBC News)
  • June 2021: Cast as Vickie in Stranger Things season 5 (Wikipedia)
  • November 2021: Mother Siobhan McNulty dies (Yahoo Entertainment)
  • December 2023: Father Liam McNulty dies (Yahoo Entertainment)
  • 2025–2026: Filming and promotion for Stranger Things season 5; BBC interview January 2026 (BBC News)

The implication: McNulty’s timeline shows a clear pivot from loss to professional breakthrough, with the Stranger Things role bookending the hardest years of her life.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Parents died: mother November 2021, father December 2023 (Yahoo Entertainment)
  • Raised by maternal grandparents (BBC News)
  • Dual Irish-Canadian citizenship (Wikipedia)
  • Natural red hair (BBC News)
  • Close friendship with Lucas Jade Zumann (BBC News)
  • Cast as Vickie in Stranger Things (Wikipedia)
  • Came out as bisexual around age 16 or 17 (BBC News)

What’s unclear

  • Exact cause of parents’ death not disclosed (BBC News)
  • Romantic relationship status (Wikipedia)
  • Specifics of her Stranger Things character arc (The Times)

The pattern: the confirmed facts outnumber the unknowns, but the unknowns—especially the circumstances of her parents’ death—are the ones fans want most.

What Amybeth says

“It’s been a weird couple of years.”

Amybeth McNulty, BBC News (UK public broadcaster), January 2026

“They said they would do anything for me, and they did.”

Amybeth McNulty, via YouTube (video interview)

For Amybeth McNulty, the choice is clear: continue honoring her parents’ memory while embracing the spotlight. For fans, the implication is to separate verified facts from speculation—especially around her personal loss.

Additional sources

reddit.com, instagram.com, tiktok.com, instagram.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, facebook.com

For a deeper look at Amybeth McNultys career journey, readers can explore how she transitioned from Anne with an E to the world of Stranger Things.

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Frequently asked questions

Did Amybeth McNulty get her teeth fixed?

No reliable source confirms any dental work. She has not addressed it publicly.

How did Amybeth McNulty start acting?

She began acting at a young age in school and local theatre, then moved to Canada at 14 for Anne with an E (BBC News).

What other roles has Amybeth McNulty played?

Besides Anne with an E and Stranger Things, she has appeared in short films and the series The Lodge (Wikipedia).

Is Amybeth McNulty in a relationship?

She has not publicly confirmed a relationship. She came out as bisexual but no details on current partner.

How tall is Amybeth McNulty?

Her height is not officially listed in any reliable source. Estimates vary, but no verified data.

What is Amybeth McNulty’s net worth?

No verified net worth figures exist. She is likely early in her career financially.

Related reading

  • Gaten Matarazzo – another Stranger Things star with a personal health story
  • Matt Bomer – actor who navigated coming out while building a career