Amybeth McNulty, the talented Irish-Canadian actress best known for her Emmy-nominated role as Anne Shirley in “Anne with an E,” has revealed the heartbreaking personal tragedy that coincided with her final audition for Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” In a candid interview, McNulty disclosed that both her parents passed away shortly after she completed the audition process for the hit series—a role she ultimately didn’t secure. The revelation sheds light on the immense personal challenges the young actress faced while pursuing her career during an unimaginably difficult period. McNulty’s openness about grief, loss, and continuing to work through trauma has resonated deeply with fans and fellow actors, highlighting the often-unseen emotional struggles that performers navigate behind the scenes.
The Heartbreaking Revelation
Amybeth McNulty recently opened up about a devastating personal tragedy that occurred during a pivotal career moment. According to interviews reported by Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, the actress revealed that both her parents died shortly after she completed her final audition for “Stranger Things”—one of television’s biggest shows.
The timing of this loss—during what should have been an exciting career opportunity—adds a particularly painful dimension to her story. McNulty was competing for a significant role on the Netflix phenomenon when tragedy struck. Instead of celebrating a potential breakthrough, she faced unimaginable grief while also processing professional disappointment.
Who Is Amybeth McNulty?
For those unfamiliar, Amybeth McNulty is an Irish-Canadian actress born in 2001 who achieved international recognition portraying Anne Shirley in Netflix’s “Anne with an E” (2017-2019). According to IMDb, her performance in the beloved adaptation earned critical acclaim and award nominations.
| Career Milestone | Project | Year | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough Role | Anne with an E | 2017-2019 | Lead role, critical acclaim |
| Awards Recognition | Canadian Screen Awards | 2018-2019 | Multiple nominations |
| Major Audition | Stranger Things | Unknown season | Final round consideration |
| Industry Impact | Various projects | 2019-Present | Continued career growth |
McNulty’s talent was evident from her breakthrough role, where she brought depth, humor, and emotional authenticity to the iconic literary character.
Also read Amybeth McNulty Journey: From Anne With An E To Stranger Things Star.
The Stranger Things Connection
What Happened During Auditions
While specific details about which “Stranger Things” role McNulty auditioned for haven’t been publicly confirmed, the timing suggests it was likely for one of the series’ later seasons. According to Entertainment Weekly, the show has introduced major new characters in each season.
The final audition process for major Netflix productions typically involves multiple rounds, chemistry reads, and network approval—a lengthy process that makes not getting a role difficult even under normal circumstances. McNulty faced this professional disappointment while simultaneously dealing with the loss of both parents.
The Emotional Weight
McNulty’s experience highlights the intense emotional investment actors make in audition processes. According to Backstage, actors preparing for final auditions often spend weeks attached to a potential role, building hope around the opportunity.
When personal tragedy intersects with professional disappointment, the compound grief becomes overwhelming. McNulty faced not only the loss of her parents but also a significant career setback during the worst possible time.
Working Through Grief
Remarkable Resilience
What makes McNulty’s story particularly striking is her decision to continue working despite devastating loss. According to mental health experts cited by Psychology Today, continuing work during grief can provide structure and purpose while also being emotionally challenging.
Her approach included:
- Maintaining professional commitments despite personal pain
- Seeking support from colleagues and friends
- Using work as a form of therapy and normalcy
- Being open about struggles rather than hiding them
- Advocating for mental health awareness in entertainment
Industry Support Needs
The entertainment industry’s relationship with mental health is complex. According to The Guardian, while some productions offer tremendous support, the competitive “show must go on” mentality can make it difficult for performers to take necessary time for healing.
McNulty’s openness has sparked important conversations about improving mental health support systems for young actors facing personal crises while building careers in an already-challenging industry.
Why Sharing Her Story Matters
Breaking the Silence
McNulty’s decision to publicly share her story serves multiple important purposes. According to mental health advocates at NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), when public figures discuss grief and loss, it:
- Reduces stigma around mental health struggles
- Provides validation for others experiencing similar situations
- Encourages help-seeking by demonstrating that support is strength
- Humanizes celebrities by showing real struggles behind glamorous facades
Overwhelming Support
The response to McNulty’s revelation has been overwhelmingly supportive. According to Deadline, fans, fellow actors, and industry professionals have expressed admiration for her courage in sharing such a personal tragedy.
Many have praised her resilience and talent, noting that her continued success despite devastating circumstances demonstrates extraordinary character. The entertainment community’s supportive response highlights growing awareness of mental health importance.
Lessons and Impact
For the Entertainment Industry
McNulty’s story illuminates larger issues about mental health support in entertainment. According to SAG-AFTRA resources, the union provides mental health services, but awareness and utilization remain inconsistent.
Key takeaways:
- Need for comprehensive mental health support systems
- Importance of production schedules that accommodate personal crises
- Value of environments where performers feel safe discussing struggles
- Recognition that actors are human beings, not machines
Message to Young Artists
For aspiring actors facing similar challenges, McNulty’s story offers important lessons:
Resilience is possible: Even devastating loss doesn’t have to end your dreams
Seek support: Professional help and supportive communities are essential
Your pace is valid: There’s no “right” way to grieve while pursuing a career
Openness helps: Sharing struggles can provide relief and connection
Success isn’t linear: Career setbacks don’t define your worth or future
Where She Is Now
Despite the tragedy she experienced, Amybeth McNulty has continued building her acting career. According to IMDb, she has appeared in various film and television projects since “Anne with an E” concluded, demonstrating commitment to her craft despite personal hardship.
Her journey serves as testament to human resilience—the ability to continue pursuing passions and finding purpose even after devastating loss. While she didn’t land the “Stranger Things” role during that painful period, her career continues evolving with new opportunities.
Beyond acting, McNulty’s openness has positioned her as an advocate for mental health awareness in entertainment. Her willingness to share such a painful part of her life helps reduce stigma around grief and loss, particularly for young people navigating career demands while processing trauma.
The Bottom Line
Amybeth McNulty’s revelation about losing both parents shortly after her final “Stranger Things” audition provides a sobering reminder that behind every performer’s public face lies a private life with real struggles and triumphs. Her story demonstrates extraordinary resilience—continuing to pursue her passion despite unimaginable loss.
For fans, her openness creates deeper appreciation for the emotional depth she brings to roles. For the industry, it highlights the urgent need for better mental health support and compassionate practices. Most importantly, for anyone facing grief while maintaining responsibilities, McNulty’s story offers hope that it’s possible to survive devastating loss and continue pursuing dreams.
Her courage in sharing this painful chapter deserves respect and serves as an important reminder: Success isn’t just about talent or opportunity—sometimes it’s simply about having the strength to keep going when everything falls apart.
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