Barbara "Barb" Holland was a recurring character in the first season of Stranger Things. She is portrayed by Shannon Purser.
Barb was the best friend of Nancy Wheeler. In late , Barb mysteriously vanishes, which leads Nancy and Jonathan Byers to investigate her disappearance. Eventually, it was revealed that she had been killed by the Demogorgon. In , following an acknowledgment of Hawkins Lab 's involvement in her death, she was given a proper funeral.
Barbara "Barb" Holland was born on September 13, , to Mr. Around , when Barb began first grade, she became best friends with Robin Buckley. The two would often imagine escaping Hawkins and exploring the world on adventure.
However, around , when the girls began sixth grade, Barbara had met a popular girl named Nancy Wheeler at an unspecified school club and eventually drifted apart from Robin. At some point, Barbara Holland saw her teacher Mr. Hauser get dropped off at school by another man. She thus correctly deduced that Mr. Hauser was in fact, gay, a fact that she knew would not be received well by other people.
She approached Mr. Hauser and informed him that she knew and that she would keep his secret in confidence. In , Nancy began dating Steve Harrington , a popular boy at school, making out with him "a couple of times". Nancy and Barb went clothes-shopping one weekend, with Nancy seeking to impress Steve. Barb seemed cautious about Nancy's relationship with Steve and her growing popularity. She expressed her dislike of Steve's friends Tommy and Carol , telling Nancy she wanted to keep "hanging out" with her.
