On screen, the Stranger Things newcomer steps into centre stage as her character Holly Wheeler becomes Vecna’s latest fixation. But off it, it’s business as usual for a 14-year-old racing to finish the school term. As Season 5 Volume 2 hits Netflix, we sit down with Fisher to unpack her brilliant new chapter.

“It was pretty daunting being thrown into an environment filled with your heroes, but everyone was completely wonderful at making me feel at ease.” Nell Fisher is reminiscing about the first time she set foot on the Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things set. If you’ve already dived into the first drop of the show’s final season – with Volume 2 arriving this Boxing Day – you’ll know exactly the moment she means. That breakfast scene. The Wheelers and the Byers, gathered around the table, suspended in an uneasy calm before everything inevitably unravels.

For a series of the calibre of Stranger Things, you’d think by the time the show hits its fifth season (and grand finale!) the era of new breakthroughs would be long over. But Fisher is here to prove us oh-so wrong. The Duffer Brothers’ set has long been an incubator for some of the most exciting acting talent of our generation, and the British-Kiwi 14-year-old is quickly joining those ranks.

As Holly Wheeler, the youngest sister of Mike and Nancy, Fisher steps into the spotlight, hands clasped with Sadie Sink’s Max Mayfield as they attempt to navigate a way out of Vecna’s grip. But away from Hawkins, reality looks a little more familiar. There’s a school play in rehearsal, essays piling up, a maths exam looming – and, tucked somewhere in between, the premiere of one of the biggest television shows of her generation.

As Vecna’s storm gathers over Hawkins for the final time, Fisher sits down with Wonderland to talk pinch-me moments, finding friendship on set, and superpower manifestations. Keep reading…

Hi Nell, thanks so much for chatting with us – how are you? What’s been keeping you busy lately?
Hi, it’s great to chat! I’m really well and enjoying the fact that Stranger Things Vol 1 is finally out! It’s been pretty hectic these last few weeks with school and publicity (and also a school play!).

Do you have any favourite holiday traditions? How do you usually like to spend this time of year?
I’m currently in Singapore en route to New Zealand for Christmas. It’s where a lot of my family are from and I lived there for four years, so I’m looking forward to a good break by the beach. 

Massive congratulations on Stranger Things. How and when did this project first land on your radar? Had you been a fan of the show before joining the cast?
I’d never actually watched the show before the audition came in, but I’d wanted to. The audition gave me the excuse I needed. I then binge watched the first four seasons in about three weeks, and became a huge fan.

What was the audition process like for you? Do you remember your first reaction to the script?
So, the first round was just a self-tape. Although it didn’t explicitly say it was for Stranger Things when I got it, I kinda worked it out. It was so exciting to read but the character was originally called ‘April,’ and the process was all a bit weird. I was then asked to screen-test with Sadie Sink in New York and it started to feel like this might actually happen. That was both amazing and alarming because I was only 11, lived in London, and both my parents have big full-time jobs, so we were totally not set up for me to shoot a TV show in the US for most of a year. After nearly pulling the plug a couple of times, I flew to NYC, hit it off with Sadie, and landed the part!  

How was your first day on set, and what was it like collaborating with the crew to shape this character?
My first day was shooting the breakfast scene with the Wheelers and the Byers. It was pretty daunting being thrown into an environment filled with your heroes, but everyone was completely wonderful at making me feel at ease. And I was so lucky to have generous and beautiful people to share my scenes with: Cara Buono, Sadie Sink, Jamie Campbell-Bower, and the hilarious Jake Connelly.  

Have you always envisioned yourself acting? Growing up, who felt like your greatest influence in the industry? And do you have a favourite character of all time?
No! This wasn’t a career I chased. My mum is a CEO and my dad’s a barrister, so I didn’t grow up connected to this world. I’ve been really lucky – one thing led to another which led to Stranger Things. But I do feel like I belong now. As for influences, I’ve been lucky to work with some very special people. Lee Cronin (director of Evil Dead Rise) gave me my first big break and created such a fabulous environment on set that I was hooked. I’ve worked with Lucy Lawless (Xena Warrior Princess!) who has been very kind to me. As has Elijah Wood, who I starred with in this movie called Bookworm.

Tell us a bit about Holly – what drew you to her most, and what aspects of playing her proved the biggest challenge?
Holly is curious, intelligent, and empathetic. She has a really interesting story line this season that strays away from the main group but still drives an engaging story. I can tell you what wasn’t a challenge about playing Holly: working with Sadie Sink! She is an incredible performer who raises the level of everyone around her. The biggest challenge was living away from home for the best part of a year though mostly, it was the most incredible adventure. Sometimes I just got a bit homesick.  

If you could step into the shoes of any other character in Stranger Things, who would it be, and why?
Robin. I completely love her character (but mostly I just love Maya Hawke).

Any advice on perfecting the signature Stranger Things scream?
Is there a signature scream?! No-one told me. Hope I got it right… 

If Holly could have one superpower, what would you give her?
Teleportation. Maybe it would help her escape…

How did it feel stepping into the series’ big finale? What was it like working with the Duffer Brothers, and what are you carrying forward from the experience?
I just feel very lucky. For many of the people on the show this is the culmination of a decade’s work. I’ve literally just arrived. But – aged 12 – to be directed by the Duffers, by Shawn Levy and by Frank Darabont was such a blessing. I learned so much about myself and about the film-making process. What will I take with me? Be brave. Make deliberate choices. Put it all out there. And hopefully audiences will respond. 

Do you have any ins and outs for the new year? What are we officially leaving behind in 2026?
In: another Taylor Swift album
Out: “six – seven” 

And looking ahead, what’s exciting you most about the future?
I’m just looking forward to the release of Volume 2 and the Finale! The Duffers have ended the show perfectly and I think the fans will love it. Beyond that, I have a Latin test, some essays, and a Math exam to worry about!

Words – Sofia Ferreira
Photography – Jesse Volk
Makeup – Jo Strettell
Hair – Buddy Porter
Styling – Penny Lovell