Amybeth McNulty (born 7 November 2001) is an Irish actress.[1] She is known for her starring role as Anne Shirley in the CBC/Netflix drama series Anne with an E (2017–2019), based on the 1908 novel Anne of Green GablesbyLucy Maud Montgomery.[1][2] She has also played loquacious teenager Vickie in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things (2022–present).
Amybeth McNulty
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Born | (2001-11-07) 7 November 2001 (age 22)
Milford, County Donegal, Ireland
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Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2014–present |
Amybeth McNulty was born on 7 November 2001 in Milford, County Donegal, Ireland, the only daughter of an Irish father and a Canadian mother.[3][4][5] She also has Scottish heritage.[6] She was homeschooled.[7] She was a member of An Grianán's "Youth Theatre", where she trained in acting and ballet.[8]
McNulty's stage experience began with ballet and amateur performances at An Grianán's "Youth Theatre", which was facilitated by Nora Kavanagh, as well as musicals by the writer and composer Paul Boyd.[7] In 2014, McNulty co-starred in the RTÉ One series Clean Break as inquisitive child Jenny Rane.[9] In 2015, McNulty appeared in Agatha Raisin as the younger version of the titular character and guest-starred in CBBC's The Sparticle Mystery.[10] McNulty made her film debut in sci-fi thriller Morgan, portraying the 10-year old iteration of the titular character.[10] The film received mixed reviews.[11]
From 2017 to 2019, she starred as Anne Shirley-Cuthbert in the CBC and Netflix drama series Anne with an E, an adaptation of the 1908 novel series Anne of Green GablesbyLucy Maud Montgomery. McNulty was cast from a selection of 1800 girls for her ability to deliver dialogue which is "incredibly thick and dynamic and beautiful"; her audition consisted of talking to trees, chatting with flowers and building thrones out of twigs."[12][13] McNulty received critical acclaim for her portrayal; Gwen Inhat of The A.V. Club lauded her "absolute possession" of Anne as well as her ability to make "fanciful language sing",[14] while Neil Genzlinger from The New York Times wrote McNulty's performance was "wonderfully ebullient and eminently likable".[15] Her portrayal earned her the Canadian Screen Award for Best Television Actress and the ACTRA Award for Best Performance – Female.[16][17]
McNulty portrayed the lead role in 2024 indie thriller She Came Back (pre-release title Maternal), the feature directorial debut of actress Megan Follows, which was filmed in early 2020.[18] She also starred in Black Medicine (2020), in which she portrays an alcoholic and drug-addicted Irish teenager.[19] In December 2020, McNulty was cast in director Michael McGowan's film adaptation of All My Puny Sorrows, a novel by Canadian author Miriam Toews.[20] In June 2021, McNulty was cast in season four of the Netflix drama Stranger Things, portraying Vickie, a "cool, fast-talking band nerd".[21]
At 19, McNulty moved out from her family home in rural Donegal to London.[22] In June 2020, she came out as bisexual.[23] McNulty is a vegetarian.[24][25][26]
Year | Title | Role | Note(s) |
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2014 | A Risky Undertaking | Ariadne Pleasant | |
2016 | Morgan | Morgan (aged 10) | |
2021 | Black Medicine | Áine | [27] |
All My Puny Sorrows | Nora Von Riesen | [28] | |
2024 | She Came Back (formerly 'Maternal') | Charlie McLeod | [29] |
Year | Title | Role | Note(s) |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Agatha Raisin | Young Agatha | 1 episode |
2015 | Clean Break | Jenny Rane | 4 episodes |
The Sparticle Mystery | Sputnik | 2 episodes | |
2017–2019 | Anne with an E | Anne Shirley-Cuthbert | Main role[30] |
2022–present | Stranger Things | Vickie | Recurring role (season 4); main (season 5)[31] |
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref(s) |
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2018 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Lead Actress, Drama Series | Anne with an E | Nominated | [32] |
2019 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Lead Actress, Drama Series | Anne with an E | Won | [33][34] |
ACTRA Toronto Awards | Outstanding Performance – Female | Anne with an E | Won | [17] | |
2020 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Lead Actress, Drama Series | Anne with an E | Nominated | [35] |