Nell Fisher

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Nell Fisher
Born (2011-11-02) 2 November 2011 (age 14)
London, England
OccupationActress
Years active2022–present
Parent Laura Clarke (mother)

Nell Fisher (born 2 November 2011) is a British-New Zealand actress. [1] She is known for her roles in the horror film Evil Dead Rise (2023) and the comedy Bookworm (2024). [2] In 2025, she began portraying Holly Wheeler in the fifth season of the Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things . [3]

Contents

Early life

Fisher was born in London, England, on 2 November 2011. [1] Her father, Toby Fisher, is an environmental lawyer and former actor from New Zealand. [4] [5] [6] Her mother, Laura Clarke, is a British diplomat who served as high commissioner to New Zealand from 2018 to 2022. [7] [6] Fisher had an international upbringing and lived in New Zealand for four years during her childhood, where she began her acting career. [4] [6] She lived in South Africa, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom during her childhood. [7] She currently resides in North London. [8] Fisher studies several languages, including Russian, Ancient Greek, and Latin. [7]

Career

2022–2024: Early work and film debut

Fisher began her professional acting career in 2022. [9] Her debut film role was as Tia in the New Zealand post-apocalyptic film Northspur. [1] During the same year, she appeared in two episodes of the television series My Life Is Murder . [9]

In 2023, Fisher gained recognition for her role in the horror film Evil Dead Rise . [10] She played the character Kassie. [1] The film's director, Lee Cronin, had Fisher use fake blood and vomit before filming to ensure she was comfortable with the horror elements. [1] Critics praised her performance in the film. [9] That same year, she appeared in the interactive romantic comedy Choose Love . [2]

In 2024, Fisher starred in the adventure comedy Bookworm . [11] She played Mildred, a precocious 12-year-old girl who goes on a camping trip with her estranged magician father, played by Elijah Wood. [12] [13] The film premiered at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival. [12]

2025: Stranger Things

Fisher joined the cast of Stranger Things for its fifth and final season with filming beginning in January 2024. [14] [6] She was cast as Holly Wheeler, the younger sister of main characters Mike Wheeler and Nancy Wheeler. [15] The role had previously been played by twins Anniston and Tinsley Price in seasons 1–4. [16] The show's creators, the Duffer brothers, recast the role because the character required a larger presence and more maturity for the final season's storyline. [17]

Fisher secured the role after a self-tape audition and a Zoom meeting with the show's creators. [7] She later performed a chemistry test in New York with actress Sadie Sink. [7] Fisher noted that her previous experience in Evil Dead Rise helped her secure the role in the science fiction horror series. [10]

In the fifth season, Fisher's character has a central storyline involving an interaction with the villain Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower, who appears to her as a friendly figure she calls "Mr. Whatsit". [18] [6] The season explores her interactions with the villain Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower. [18] Fisher filmed scenes involving stunts, including an underwater sequence with actress Cara Buono. [19] She received advice from co-star Finn Wolfhard regarding navigating the industry as a young actor. [3] Behind-the-scenes photos of Fisher on set were released by Netflix to celebrate the season premiere. [20]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2022NorthspurTia [1]
2023 Evil Dead Rise Kassie Bixler [2]
Choose Love Luisa [2]
2024 Bookworm Mildred [11]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2022 My Life Is Murder Olive Crowe2 episodes [9]
2025 Stranger Things Holly WheelerMain cast (Season 5) [8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, Katie Louise (27 November 2025). "Who is Holly in Stranger Things 5? Nell Fisher's age, past roles and where she's from". Capital FM. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Wickes, Hanna (26 November 2025). "Why 'Stranger Things' Recast Holly Wheeler — Meet Rising Star Nell Fisher: Age, Roles and More". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  3. 1 2 Esquibias, Liza (27 November 2025). "Stranger Things Breakout Star Nell Fisher Reveals the Best Advice Finn Wolfhard Gave Her When She Joined Show (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  4. 1 2 Baculinao, Michael (27 November 2025). "Who Is Nell Fisher? Meet the New Actress Who Plays Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things 5". Epicstream. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  5. Jacobs, Eammon. "'Evil Dead Rise' director says one of the child actors played with 'fake blood and vomit' to make her feel comfortable on set". Business Insider. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Aurthur, Kate (27 November 2025). "Meet the New Holly Wheeler: 'Stranger Things 5' Star Nell Fisher Spills All About Filming That Crazy [SPOILER!] and Working With [SPOILER!] to Fight Vecna". Variety. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "How Stranger Things Season 5 Star Nell Fisher Brought Holly Wheeler to Center Stage". Teen Vogue. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  8. 1 2 O'Keefe, Meghan (26 November 2025). "'Stranger Things': How Old is Nell Fisher, the New Holly Wheeler? Why Were Tinsley and Anniston Price Replaced?". Decider. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Brookes, Emily (16 July 2024). "Young Kiwi actress Nell Fisher joins cast of Stranger Things season 5". Stuff. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  10. 1 2 Austin, Nicola (18 November 2025). "Why was Holly Wheeler recast in Stranger Things season 5? Nell Fisher character explained". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  11. 1 2 Puschmann, Karl (27 July 2024). "How NZ's Bookworm and Stranger Things star Nell Fisher became our next big thing". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  12. 1 2 Foreman, Alison (19 July 2024). "'Stranger Things' Season 5 Actor Nell Fisher Couldn't Tell Her Classmates Where She Was for 'a Year'". IndieWire. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  13. Roxborough, Scott (20 April 2023). "Nell Fisher, Michael Smiley Join Elijah Wood in 'Bookworm' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  14. "Young actor praised after taking unexpected role in Stranger Things season 5". The Independent. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  15. Gunning, Cathal (19 July 2024). "Stranger Things Season 5's New Holly Actor Is A Bad Omen After Her 2023 Horror Movie". Screen Rant. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  16. Feneley, Ruby. "Holly Wheeler And Her Imaginary Friend Hold the Key To Stranger Things Season 5's Creepiest Plotline". Elle Australia. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  17. Gibbons, Ben (16 July 2024). "Why Stranger Things Season 5 Recast Holly Wheeler". Screen Rant. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  18. 1 2 Gomez, Dessi (26 November 2025). "How Holly Wheeler's "Larger Role" & 'A Wrinkle In Time' Lens Bring 'Stranger Things' Season 5 "Full Circle"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  19. Danhauer, Whitney (18 November 2025). "Who Plays Holly Wheeler in 'Stranger Things 5'? Meet Nell Fisher". Parade. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  20. Felt, Klein (27 November 2025). "Stranger Things' New Holly Actress, Nell Fisher, Celebrates Her Debut With Must-See BTS Photos". Screen Rant. Retrieved 28 November 2025.