One of the most breakout characters in "Stranger Things " is Nancy's sweet but doomed best friend Barb, played by Shannon Pulser. The out-of-control #WeAreAllBarb movement made her eventual death especially painful for fans, who were egged on by an introductory sketch from the Golden Globes, which featured young stars including Millie Bobby Brown ( Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin and Finn Wolfhard joked that Barb was still alive - which Not only is it a surprise for fans, but also for the cast. "I had no idea this was going to happen," Natalie Dyer (aka Nancy) tells Bustle of the Golden Globes moment. While Brown confirmed in the interview that Barb is still dead, Dyer noted that what happened to Barb is "definitely still on Nancy's mind."
For the new film "Nights and Short Mornings ," starring Dyer (now streaming on iTunes and on-demand platforms), having Nancy contemplate losing her barb was an important part of getting into character. "It's really important to think as much as possible about what it's like to lose a friend like that," she said. "It was a very traumatic experience." But, Dyer added, Nancy was a "determined" teen who could overcome anything.
It's hard to argue with this logic, considering that within a few months, Nancy fought off supernatural beasts, entered a creepy plane of existence, had her best friend killed by the beasts, and helped rescue the same The kidnapped brother's best friend's evil monster has a lot to deal with, and that's without touching on Nancy's complicated love life. Many viewers were surprised at the end of the first season when Nancy was paired with the brash jock Steve instead of the quiet Jonathan with whom Nancy developed a strong friendship. The trio's future is unclear and both "are competitors," Dyer said, adding, "The way the writers write these arcs and these characters makes you go back and forth: 'Oh, he's great. But Oh, he's great.'"
Dale revealed that if she were Team Anybody, she would probably be Team Nancy. "My thought has always been: I don't think Nancy necessarily needs to be with anyone," she explained. "She's been through a lot internally. It's been a tumultuous year for her after everything fell apart."
However, Dyer added that while she understands fans' interest in Nancy's romantic pursuits, she doesn't think it should be the focus. "I get it. It's hard not to get caught up [in romance]," she said. "But from my perspective on the character, it was kind of like, 'Come on, guys, Nancy's gotta kick some Demagogue ass, she can't just worry about this.'"
Among Nancy's multiple identities, she's a caring and supportive sister, a lovestruck teen grappling with gender dynamics, and a ruthless, fearless mysterious pursuer trying to rescue her missing best friend. Nancy's greatest moments on the show are her more physical and confident actions, such as when she bravely explores the Upside Down and when she wields a baseball bat against Demagoggon. "This was my dream for her," Dyer said of Nancy's transformation into an action hero. “I really like Nancy’s calm, stoic side.”
Dale revealed that just as they did on the hit series' first season, Stranger Things writers are still working on the script while the cast is filming season two. "Last season, we were more surprised than anyone by the results," she said, meaning there was a lot of excitement and curiosity on set. The actor added, "It keeps us on our toes and surprises us... It's fun, like reading a book; you can't wait to read the next chapter."
After last Sunday's Stranger Things Super Bowl commercial, fans are more excited than ever to see what the next chapter for Nancy and the other characters will be like.
