The Story of Amybeth McNulty: From Her Childhood in Ireland to Netflix Stardom

Amybeth McNulty is a Canadian-Irish actress best known for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Anne Shirley-Cuthbert in Anne with an E, a role that earned her a Canadian Screen Award and widespread recognition for her emotionally nuanced performance. With a background in theater and a deep love for storytelling, she has seamlessly transitioned from stage to screen, proving her versatility across genres.

Following her breakout success, McNulty expanded her career with roles in Netflix’s Stranger Things and independent films, further establishing herself as a rising talent in the industry. Beyond acting, she has explored creative projects in filmmaking and podcasting, using her platform to engage with meaningful narratives.

This article delves into McNulty’s journey—from her early influences to her most defining roles—highlighting the achievements that have shaped her career and solidified her place as one of the most compelling young actresses of her generation.

Family Background

Amybeth McNulty was born on November 7, 2001, in Letterkenny, Ireland, to an Irish father and a Canadian mother, Siobhan Eileen Martha McNulty. Though she was homeschooled, her grandparents made sure she had plenty of social interactions. They didn’t want her to grow up feeling isolated, so they encouraged her to take acting and dance classes—helping her find both a passion for performance and a way to connect with others. Reflecting on their influence, she once shared that they were determined she wouldn’t become “a strange child in the corner who doesn’t know how to communicate with people or make friends.”

Amybeth was incredibly close to her mother, describing her as a kind, caring, and extraordinary woman. Losing her to cancer on November 18, 2021, was devastating, but Amybeth has continued to honor her memory in both quiet moments and public tributes. On her mother’s birthday, February 27, 2023, she wrote,

“Happy Birthday Mama 🤍 I’m so proud to carry your heart with me, although you can’t any longer. Hope you can see the candles from up there ✨.”

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Later that year, she reflected on the second anniversary of her passing, expressing,

“Two years ago we lost a kind-hearted, caring, and beautiful soul. She also just so happened to be my mum. I simply couldn’t have asked for a better role model. Because if I’m even a quarter of the extraordinary woman that she was… then that is all I can ever hope for. All I do is for you, mumma, I hope I can make you proud ❤️.”

In December 2023, Amybeth faced another heartbreaking loss when her father passed away. Remembering him, she shared a tribute that captured just how much he meant to her:

“Dad. You are everything I’ve admired and all I aspire to become. The kindest soul I will ever know. Thank you for all the love you gave. My love will endlessly continue to grow, even without you. Rest well my love. Nighty noo, I’ll see you in the moo x.”

Accompanying her words were several photos, including a childhood picture of her as a toddler with both her parents—a poignant reminder of the love and support that shaped her.

Despite these profound losses, Amybeth continues to carry their influence with her. Through her work, her words, and the way she lives her life, she keeps their memory alive, honoring the lessons and love they gave her.

Early Childhood & Love for Storytelling

From a young age, McNulty displayed an intense love for reading and storytelling. She has recounted how, at just five years old, she wanted to perform in a play called Peggy the Pint-Sized Pirate. Unlike other children who relied on scripts during performances, she was determined to memorize her lines and be off-script, leading her to teach herself how to read in a matter of months.

“I wanted to be off script, so I learned to read in a couple of months.”

This early drive to master language and narrative structure foreshadowed her later ability to tackle complex monologues and emotionally rich characters.

Growing up in a rural environment, she described a childhood where she lived a relatively quiet life, often surrounded by nature and books. Despite being homeschooled, she never felt isolated, thanks to her involvement in local theater and dance programs, which became a central aspect of her development as a performer.

Early Theater Experience

McNulty’s first experiences with stage performance were in ballet and youth theater at An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny. At the age of eight, she performed in a local production of Annie, where she played a comedic role that involved pretending to be drunk. She vividly remembers how performing in front of an audience gave her an early understanding of the impact of storytelling and humor.

“I just wanted to give people a positive experience and help the jokes come across,” she recalled.

Transition to Film & Television

Her transition from theater to television and film was a significant shift. She first gained on-screen experience in a college short film at around 10 years old, which introduced her to the different demands of acting in front of a camera. By 13, she secured a role in the Irish crime drama Clean Break, marking her entry into professional television. However, she quickly realized that acting for the screen required a different approach compared to theater. She was repeatedly told to “tone it down” since her theatrical expressions were too exaggerated for the intimacy of film.

To help her navigate this transition, her grandfather—who had been an actor himself—taught her the Alexander Technique, a method used by actors to improve breathing, posture, and emotional regulation.

“Because my Grandad used to be an actor, he helped me learn the Alexander technique and breathing.”

This technique proved instrumental in helping her refine her screen acting skills.

Auditioning for Anne with an E

At the age 13, McNulty auditioned for the role that would define her career—Anne Shirley in Anne with an E. The audition process was long and intense, consisting of multiple rounds:

• She first sent in a self-tape, performing a monologue from the scene where Anne talks about being a bride while sitting in the buggy with Matthew.
• After a callback, she was asked to redo the audition with notes from casting directors.
• She then traveled to Toronto for a live audition, competing against other young actresses.
• The final audition involved an unusual improvisational exercise where she had to describe different pictures spontaneously. She recalled,

“They just said, ‘We’re going to pass your phone, and there’s going to be different pictures, and you’re just going to talk about whatever it is for as long as you can.’” Her natural storytelling ability set her apart.

The final live screen test took place at a mansion, where she had to orchestrate imaginary flowers playing music. Despite feeling she had failed the audition because she couldn’t do a cartwheel when asked, she received the life-changing call a few weeks later, informing her she had been chosen. Her reaction was both disbelief and excitement.

“Hey, can you be ready in two weeks to come to Toronto for six months?” she recalled. Her first thought? “I can’t do a cartwheel, though.”

Amybeth McNulty’s Journey in Anne with an E

Amybeth McNulty starred as Anne Shirley in Anne with an E, which premiered on March 19, 2017 on CBC and later on Netflix. The show ran for three seasons, with the final season premiering on September 22, 2019, and concluding on November 24, 2019. She was involved in the series from its beginning in 2017 until its cancellation in 2019.

First Steps into Anne’s World: Filming in Prince Edward Island

McNulty’s first day on set filming Anne’s buggy ride with Matthew was an unforgettable experience. She arrived in Prince Edward Island unaware of how beloved Anne of Green Gables was in Canada. Seeing Anne-themed posters at the airport, visiting themed sweet shops, and even receiving a welcome basket with Anne-related gifts made her realize the cultural significance of the character she was about to bring to life.

“Flyover, we come into the airport first of all, and there’s like an Anne of Green Gables little poster of like a girl with braids, and I’m like—because I’m still 13, I haven’t realized how big this is in PEI or Canada yet—and I’m kind of going like, ‘Oh [expletive], okay, that’s fine.’”

One of the biggest challenges before filming started was perfecting Anne’s freckles. McNulty sat through multiple rounds of makeup tests to get the freckle placements just right.

Growing Up on Set: A Journey of Personal and Professional Growth

Filming Anne with an E spanned several years, during which Amybeth McNulty grew from a young teenager into a young adult. It was a defining period in both her personal and professional life—one filled with excitement, challenges, and self-discovery. Balancing the demands of a major production with the normal ups and downs of growing up wasn’t always easy. She often felt the pressure to be perfect, to live up to the expectations placed on her, but looking back, she realizes just how much she has evolved.

“If I was who I am now and stepping into that for the first time, I would be overwhelmed, anxious, crying every night,” she admitted.

But at 13, she wasn’t fully aware of the magnitude of the show’s impact. “I was just a kid in a costume, learning my lines and doing the best I could.”

Despite the challenges, the Anne with an E set became a second home. The cast and crew created an incredibly supportive environment, one that allowed Amybeth to grow not just as an actress but as a person. She formed close friendships, particularly with Kyla Matthews (Ruby) and Miranda McKeon (Josie).

“We were all just kids, and we became really good friends,” she shared. There was a sense of competition, but at the end of the day, “when you’re a kid, you just want to be friends.”

Now, years later, she reflects on that journey with deep gratitude. As she turned 22 in November 2023, she took a moment to acknowledge how far she had come, writing,

“Turning 22 feeling endlessly grateful to be surrounded by the kindest, funniest, and most loving group of people. Thank you for everything.”

From a wide-eyed 13-year-old stepping into the world of Anne with an E to a young woman with a strong sense of self, Amybeth’s journey has been one of resilience, friendship, and personal growth.

Emotional Parallels Between Anne Shirley & Amybeth

One of the most remarkable aspects of Anne with an E was how its writing eerily mirrored Amybeth’s real-life emotions at times. She felt like each season’s script lined up perfectly with personal struggles she was facing.

A particularly memorable scene in which Anne cries in the barn to Matthew about not belonging was deeply personal for Amybeth. At the time, she was going through personal family difficulties, making her emotions in the scene very real. McNulty recalled:

“A lot of what I was saying in that scene was very, very genuine to how I felt… every time Moira wrote an episode, it was exactly what I was going through at the time.”

Another significant moment was filming Anne’s heartbreak when Gilbert arrives with Winifred, which coincided with McNulty going through a breakup in real life. She reflected:

“That scene where Gilbert walks in with Winifred—I had been broken up with like two days before. And so I was sort of going through this… every experience was so, like, we were on the same wavelength.”

Memorable Moments & Behind-the-Scenes Interactions

Amybeth McNulty’s time on Anne with an E was filled with meaningful experiences, strong friendships, and plenty of humorous behind-the-scenes moments. From her first day on set to the final wrap, she built lasting bonds with her co-stars, sharing moments of joy, laughter, and even occasional embarrassment.

Season 1 Moments

One of Amybeth McNulty’s most cherished memories from Anne with an E was filming the buggy ride with R.H. Thompson (Matthew Cuthbert) on Prince Edward Island. It was then that she truly understood just how deeply Anne of Green Gables was woven into Canadian culture. The moment she arrived, she was surrounded by Anne-themed posters, sweet shops, and gifts—every corner of the island a reminder of how much the story meant to people.

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Filming was filled with both heartfelt and hilariously awkward moments. One that stuck with her happened during a classroom scene in Season 1, Episode 3. Lucas Jade Zumann (Gilbert Blythe) threw a note to Anne, and Amybeth, caught up in the moment, misread his movement and thought he was going in for a hug. Without thinking, she leaned in—only for Lucas to pull back, confused, and ask, “What are you doing?” Looking back, she laughed at the mix-up, especially since, by Season 3, Anne and Gilbert finally kissed.

“That was me just like… we’ve gone full circle. I kissed him in Season 3. Full circle, come on.”

But beyond the funny moments, what stood out most to Amybeth was the sense of family that formed on set. On March 9, 2018, as filming wrapped for Season 2, she shared a group photo of the entire cast and crew, bundled up in the cold, standing in front of a rustic barn.

“Every single human (and chicken and horse) in this photograph puts their heart and soul and tears and energy into this production,” she wrote.

From the smallest details—freckles, red dirt, a camera on a crane—every person on that set poured love into the show. “This is one loving crew with one loving show.”

Season 1 had been a whirlwind, and as Season 2 approached, Amybeth was just as excited as the fans waiting to see it. “Season two is coming… I hope you’re as excited as we are.” The experience of bringing Anne Shirley-Cuthbert to life had been more than just another acting role—it was a journey, filled with laughter, lessons, and lifelong friendships.

Season 2 Moments

The on-set laughter was often uncontrollable. Amybeth found it impossible to keep a straight face during the “Acorn Scene” in Season 2, Episode 5, where Kyla Matthews accidentally hit Glenna Walters in the head with an acorn. Another particularly challenging moment was the “Cole Scene” in Season 2, Episode 3, where Anne welcomes Cole into the friend group. Amybeth found the entire situation hilarious, while Miranda McKeon had to physically turn away and face the wall to stop herself from laughing.

“There was the one where Anne is going to talk to Cole in the corner and include him… We’re all in the corner, and I don’t know why, I just thought it was hilarious. And then I remember everyone—it was like that tortured laugh—everyone was like, ‘No, no, not again.’”

Season 3 Moments

One particularly unforgettable scene was the Christmas pantomime in Season 3, Episode 7, where Glenna Walters took her role extremely seriously, delivering a Broadway-worthy performance while the rest of the cast struggled to keep straight faces.

“Kelly took charge. It was her Broadway debut. Stephen Sondheim was there.”

One of the most famous cast moments was the “Oreo Milkshake Incident.” While filming the nighttime fire scene in Season 3, Episode 9, the cast decided to order Oreo milkshakes at 4 AM, which became an unforgettable memory for everyone.

“Milkshakes save lives every day. Oreo milkshakes specifically.”

Off-Set Fun & Friendships

Off-set, the friendships continued, leading to even more hilarious memories. One of the most infamous stories was when Kyla Matthews laughed so hard during a dinner that chili came out of her nose, leaving the entire table in shock and amusement.

“It was so sweet too because everyone was just asking you… and all of us were gagging because it was so gross.”

These moments highlight the camaraderie among the Anne with an E cast, showing how the deep friendships and lighthearted energy made the filming experience unforgettable. Despite the emotional weight of many scenes, the supportive and fun environment created by the cast ensured that their time together was filled with laughter and meaningful connections.

The Impact of Anne Shirley: A Transformative Role

For Amybeth, playing Anne Shirley was more than just a role—it was a transformative experience. She described how Anne’s journey mirrored her own in many ways, allowing her to explore themes of identity, belonging, and resilience.

“Every single bit of her storyline not only connected with me but connected to me in that moment,” Amybeth said. “It was like we were on the same wavelength.”

Her portrayal of Anne earned her critical acclaim, including a Canadian Screen Award, and left a lasting impact on fans around the world. Amybeth expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have her adolescence documented through the show, noting that it serves as a reminder of how far she has come.

“It’s really nice because now I can look back and see how much I’ve grown,” she said. “It’s like a comfort thing. I watch it, and I’m like, ‘Okay, we’ve done pretty well.’”

The End of Anne with an E and Reflections

The cancellation of Anne with an E after three seasons was a heartbreaking moment for both the cast and fans. McNulty has expressed sadness but also gratitude for the experience. Since the show ended, McNulty has taken on new roles, including Stranger Things and independent films. However, Anne with an E remains a defining chapter of her career. While she has never confirmed a potential return, she remains open to a reunion with the cast.

Joining Stranger Things and Expanding Her Career

Following her success in Anne with an E, McNulty joined the fourth season of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things in the role of Vickie, a fast-talking, music-loving band nerd. The character was seen as an immediate fan favorite, and some fans even compared her to being a modern-day descendant of Anne Shirley due to her quirky and expressive personality. McNulty herself acknowledged this connection, humorously stating,

“100%. I read the script, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is Anne in a completely different era.’”

Unlike Anne with an E, where she was the lead from the very first day of filming, joining Stranger Things meant stepping into a well-established cast and production. McNulty admitted she was initially nervous about being the newcomer on set, describing her expectations as

“I very much expected a sense of, ‘Oh yeah, hey nice to meet you,’ and then everyone moving on.”

However, she was welcomed warmly by the cast, with her co-star Maya Hawke inviting her to dinner before filming began, which helped ease her into the new environment.

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Filming Stranger Things was also a different experience in terms of production scale and pacing. She noted that there was no designated lunchtime, and instead, cast members had to grab food between takes. This was a stark contrast to Anne with an E, where she had a more structured schedule. Despite the differences, she enjoyed the experience, particularly having more downtime compared to her previous leading role.

“On Anne, I was there from day one to day zero. With Stranger Things, I actually had time to hang out, have dinner, and get to know the cast outside of filming.”

Personal Projects and Future Aspirations

Amybeth McNulty is a passionate storyteller who has continued to expand her creative horizons beyond Stranger Things. Dedicated to authenticity in her work, she has actively pursued independent film roles and personal projects that explore meaningful and underrepresented narratives. As she once stated:

“I want to tell really important stories, not just do something for money.”

In 2023, McNulty announced plans to develop a series of short films and interviews focused on trauma, resilience, and unheard voices. She invited audiences to participate in this initiative by sharing compelling real-life stories, reinforcing her commitment to storytelling—not just as an actress, but as a filmmaker and advocate for social change.

Her professional career expanded further in 2024 with major film and media projects. She starred in the psychological thriller She Came Back, released digitally in April 2024, and joined the cast of the action thriller Ballistic, co-starring Lena Headey, with production beginning in February 2024.

Alongside her film work, McNulty returned to Stranger Things 5, reprising her role as Vickie, a character introduced in Season 4. As the show reached its conclusion, she reflected on her time with the series, expressing deep appreciation for the experience. On December 16, 2024, she marked the end of filming with an emotional farewell: “Wrapped!! Thank you so much for allowing me to join this spectacular project with the most astounding team.” Though her time on Stranger Things lasted only from 2021 to 2024, she described the love and connection she felt as “completely unmatched by any other feeling.” To her castmates and crew, she shared a heartfelt message: “You know I love you, thank you for sharing your craft and kindness. Don’t ever be a stranger—I love youuu!!”

In addition to her on-screen work, McNulty ventured into podcasting, hosting Assume Nothing: Femicide – Eight Steps To Stop A Murder on BBC Sounds. Reflecting on the project in a March 2024 Instagram post, she described it as “a truly remarkable and important podcast” that sheds light on “the truth of women’s experiences and how we can learn to avoid such tragedies in the future.” She emphasized the need for these stories to be “shared, discussed, and listened to,” expressing gratitude for the team’s “love, kindness, and care” throughout its creation.

Beyond film and advocacy, McNulty has also made her mark in the fashion world, attending the 2024 New York Fashion Week and embracing new avenues of creative expression. She has spoken about how storytelling extends beyond film, influencing personal style and artistic representation. Whether through acting, filmmaking, podcasting, or fashion, McNulty continues to use her platform to elevate important narratives and challenge societal norms.

References:

https://youtu.be/jkVtBxohrUk https://www.instagram.com/amybethmcnulty/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6741374/