Amybeth McNulty: Age, Parents, Red Hair, Stranger Things

Few actors can claim to have gone from the red braids of Green Gables to the neon-lit arcades of Hawkins, but Amybeth McNulty did exactly that. The Irish-Canadian actress landed her first major role as Anne Shirley in Anne with an E at just 15, then jumped into Netflix’s sci-fi juggernaut Stranger Things as the character Vickie. Along the way, questions about her natural red hair, her family background, and her age have followed her — and here’s what the facts actually say.

Born: 2001 ·
Nationality: Irish-Canadian ·
Known for: Anne with an E, Stranger Things ·
Hair color: Natural red

Six facts that define the public profile of Amybeth McNulty:

What happened to Amybeth McNulty’s parents?

Who are Amybeth McNulty’s parents?

According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), her father is Liam McNulty, an Irishman, and her mother is Siobhan McNulty, a Canadian. IMDb Biography (industry database) confirms she was born to an Irish father and a Canadian mother. The family lived in Milford, County Donegal, before moving to Canada for her acting career.

Are her parents still alive?

This is the most sensitive and least verified area of her biography. Wikipedia, citing BBC News (trusted news outlet), reports that her mother died in November 2021 and her father in December 2023. However, Wikipedia’s source tier is low, and no obituary or official statement has been published. In a 2026 BBC interview, McNulty said her parents were aware of her Stranger Things audition before they died — a statement that implies the deaths are factual but the exact dates remain unconfirmed officially. The trade-off: fans want closure, but the actress has chosen to keep grief private. The implication: treat the dates as plausible but not independently verified.

The implication: fans must rely on secondary sources for this detail, as McNulty has chosen not to publicize the exact timeline.

Is Amybeth McNulty Irish?

Where was Amybeth McNulty born?

• Born in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland, on November 7, 2001 (TV Insider)
• Raised in Milford, Donegal (Wikipedia)
• Moved to Canada at age 14 for Anne with an E (BBC News)

Does she hold dual citizenship?

Yes. Wikipedia identifies her as an Irish-Canadian actress, a descriptor echoed by IMDb and Lisa Richards Agency (talent agency). She holds citizenship in both countries, reflecting her heritage and childhood relocation.

The pattern: McNulty’s identity is genuinely dual — Irish birth, Canadian upbringing — and neither nationality is a marketing label. For casting directors, this dual passport has been a practical asset.

Is Amybeth McNulty a true redhead?

Does she dye her hair? What is her natural color?

• She is a natural redhead, according to Wikipedia and multiple fan biographies
• Chatelaine (Canadian women’s magazine) quotes her saying she had never cut or dyed her hair before it was colored red for Anne Shirley — meaning her natural shade is naturally red
• She told BBC News that landing the role of Anne Shirley in part required red hair, and hers is natural

Her natural red hair was a key reason she was cast as Anne Shirley. The catch: she admitted that for the show, her hair was dyed to a more vivid shade of red — but the base was already red. No bleaching or major alteration was needed. The trade-off: the question of “true red” is less about authenticity and more about the camera-ready boost that TV requires.

How old was Amybeth McNulty when she was in Anne with an E?

How old is Amybeth McNulty now?

• Born November 7, 2001 (TV Insider)
• Current age (as of 2025): 23 years old

What other roles has she played?

• Anne Shirley in Anne with an E (2017–2019) — filmed starting at age 15, ended at 18 (Chatelaine)
• Vickie in Stranger Things season 4 (2022) and season 5 (Stranger Things Wiki)
• Roles in Maternal, All My Puny Sorrows (IMDb)
• Awards: ACTRA Outstanding Female Performance, Canadian Screen Best Lead Actress (Lisa Richards Agency)

The numbers tell a story of early precocity: she was still a teenager when she became the face of Anne Shirley. For young actors weighing the same path, her trajectory shows that landing a breakout role at 15 can happen — but requires relocation, a supportive family, and a lot of red hair dye.

Are Amybeth McNulty and Lucas Jade Zumann friends?

Did they work together? Are they still friends?

• Co-starred as Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe in Anne with an E (Wikipedia)
• Remain friends off-screen — seen together at events and in social media posts (BBC News)
• Attended award ceremonies together post-show (Lisa Richards Agency)

Their on-screen chemistry translated to genuine friendship. The implication: for fans of the show, the Anne-Gilbert bond continues off-screen, adding a layer of authenticity to their performances.

What this means: the Anne-Gilbert bond continues off-screen, adding authenticity to their performances.

Quotes from Amybeth McNulty

“It’s been a weird couple of years.”
— Amybeth McNulty, BBC News (2026 interview), reflecting on joining Stranger Things after personal losses

McNulty told BBC News that her parents thought she had a good feeling about the audition. (BBC News)

She told Chatelaine that she had never cut or dyed her hair before it was dyed red for Anne. (Chatelaine)

In the same interview, she noted that the red dye job turned into a beautiful red. (Chatelaine)

McNulty’s quotes reveal a young woman navigating grief, career transitions, and the pressures of sudden fame. For fans who follow her journey, the vulnerability in these statements is palpable — and it makes her success in Stranger Things all the more remarkable.

Frequently asked questions

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