Nell Fisher Biography | Stranger Things Holly Wheeler
Nell Fisher is quickly emerging as a standout young talent—poised, versatile, and instinctively funny. Her sharp intelligence and advanced reading ability give her a level of maturity well beyond her years, allowing her to dive deeply into any character she portrays.
Her screen career already features an impressive range of projects. Nell starred in the global Warner Bros. release Evil Dead Rise, the fifth instalment of the iconic horror franchise directed by Lee Cronin. She earned praise for her focus and emotional conviction in the post-apocalyptic action feature Northspur, where she played Tia. She then appeared opposite Laura Marano, Scott Michael Foster and Avan Jogia in Netflix’s first interactive rom-com Choose Love, directed by Stuart McDonald. Television credits include Season 3 of the Australia–New Zealand crime series My Life is Murder, acting alongside Lucy Lawless.
Most recently, Nell led the family adventure comedy Bookworm, directed by Ant Timpson. The film pairs her with U.S. star Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings, Yellowjackets) and Irish actor-comedian Michael Smiley (Kill List, Bad Sisters). Coming up, Nell joins a powerhouse cast in the final season of Netflix’s global hit Stranger Things 5, released in November 2025.
With a British mother, a New Zealand father, and formative years spent in South Africa, New Zealand, and London, Nell brings a worldly, adaptable presence to her work—qualities that continue to shape her as one of the most exciting young performers to watch.
Bio
Know As : Nell Fisher, Holly, Holly Wheeler
Gender : Female
Birthday : November 2, 2011 ( 14 Years Old )
Place of Birth : London, England, UK
Birth Sign : Scorpio
Locations : Overseas
Ethnicity : NZ European
Height : 154cm / 5ft 1in
Bust/Chest : 65cm / 26inch
Waist : 55cm / 22inch
Hips : 65cm / 26inch
Instagram : Insta
Parents & Family
Nell Fisher was born to Toby Fisher, an environmental lawyer, and her mother, whose name is not publicly disclosed. She keeps her family life private, and limited information is available about her siblings.
Early Life & Education
Born on 2 November 2011 in London, England, Nell spent her early childhood between the UK and New Zealand. She has continued her schooling alongside her acting career and remains focused on her education as a young student.
Career Overview
Nell’s screen career began early, and she has quickly become known for her expressive performances and maturity on set.
Her credits include:
Evil Dead Rise – the global horror hit directed by Lee Cronin
Northspur – where she portrayed Tia in the post-apocalyptic action world
Choose Love – Netflix’s first interactive romantic comedy
My Life Is Murder (Season 3) – appearing alongside Lucy Lawless
She recently starred in Bookworm, a family adventure comedy directed by Ant Timpson, opposite Elijah Wood and Michael Smiley. Nell also appears in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, releasing in 2025, playing a major new chapter in the story of Holly Wheeler.
Ethnicity
Nell is of New Zealand European heritage, with an international upbringing across South Africa, New Zealand, and London.
Height & Appearance
Nell stands at 154 cm (5 ft 1 in). She has light brown hair and brown eyes. As she is still growing, her physical details may naturally change over time.
ACTING
Stranger Things 5 : The Finale (2025) – Holly Wheeler
Stranger Things (8 Episodes / 2025) – Holly Wheeler
Bookworm (2024) – Mildred
Choose Love (2023) – Luisa
Evil Dead Rise (2023) – Kassie
My Life Is Murder (2 Episodes / 2022) – Olive
Northspur (2021) – Tia
FILM
Bookworm (Firefly Films / 2024) – Mildred (Lead)
Evil Dead Rise (WarnerMedia / 2023) – Kassie
Northspur (Northspur Films / 2022) – Tia (Major Support)
Choose Love (GC Film Ltd / 2022) – Luisa
TELEVISION
My Life Is Murder S2 (Greenstone Ltd / 2022) – Olive
SHORT FILM
Splendid Isolation (Short Film / 2019) – Lead
Holly Wheeler Stranger Things Season 5 Quick Information
Holly Wheeler may not be new to the Stranger Things world, but in Season 5, the youngest Wheeler sibling steps out of the background and into the heart of the story. After her mother, Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono), defends her with a shattered wine bottle, Holly is captured by a Demogorgon in Volume 1, which premiered its first four episodes on Nov. 26.
Taking on this expanded, adolescent version of Holly is 14-year-old British actor Nell Fisher, who joined the cast well aware that she would be portraying a far more complex side of the character than audiences have seen before.
“Holly Wheeler was played in the first four seasons by Anniston and Tinsley Price, who did an amazing job creating a character fans really connect with,” Fisher explains. “Until now, Holly has been present but always on the sidelines. This season, she becomes a protagonist. Things happen because of her — and she starts taking action. I’m thrilled to bring that to life.”
To mirror the disappearance of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) in Season 1, creators Matt and Ross Duffer chose to elevate Holly’s role, returning to the show’s earliest themes of childhood, vulnerability, and lost innocence. Episode 2 of the new season, titled “The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler,” is a deliberate callback to the 2016 pilot, “The Vanishing of Will Byers.”
Executive producer Shawn Levy — who directed Episodes 6 and 7 — recalls the earliest days of the character. “Years ago, we had two 3-year-old twins play Holly, back when I was filming her following Christmas lights down a hallway,” he says. “For Season 5, we needed someone close in age to where our original kids were when the show began — that magical, defining, innocent age. It wasn’t just an opportunity, it was essential.”
Levy adds, “Shifting Holly into a central role gives the audience someone new to care about, while also reinforcing the show’s core themes. Stranger Things has always been about childhood — the fragility of innocence, but also its extraordinary strength. We’ve watched these kids grow up, and viewers feel deeply connected to them.”
As the season unfolds, Fisher reflects on joining the series in its final chapter — and reveals that the classic novel A Wrinkle in Time serves as an important touchstone for her portrayal of Holly Wheeler.
Where is Holly when Season 5 begins?
At the start of the season, Holly is at home in the Wheeler household, where the Wheelers and the Byers are now living under the same roof. She has an imaginary friend she calls Mr. Whatsit — who viewers later learn is actually Henry. From there, Holly is pulled into a massive journey as she steps into the strange, supernatural world that has been lurking around her for years.
How would you describe Holly’s mindset this season?
This season is Holly’s coming-of-age arc. Early on, she’s more of a passive part of the story — things happen to her, including her disappearance. But as she uncovers more about the Upside Down and her place within it, her perspective shifts. Eventually, she becomes someone who drives the plot through her choices and actions.
What was it like stepping onto set for the final season of Stranger Things?
For Nell Fisher, it was both overwhelming and magical. Although everything felt new and exciting to her, she was surrounded by cast and crew who had spent nearly a decade on the show. She describes feeling grateful to join such a beloved production and being inspired every day by the people who built it. Everyone was warm, welcoming, and incredibly generous.
Do you remember anything from your first days of filming?
Nell recalls being very intimidated at first. Her very first scene was in the Wheeler House, acting opposite Cara Buono and being directed by the Duffer brothers — all people and places she’d admired for four whole seasons. It was nerve-wracking, but the team’s kindness helped her settle in quickly.
How does A Wrinkle in Time help Holly understand what she’s experiencing?
The classic novel played a big role in Nell’s preparation. Holly has always brushed up against the supernatural, and she uses the book almost like a map to decode what’s happening to her. In her mind, Henry (Jamie Campbell Bower) becomes Mr. Whatsit, his mental prison mirrors Camazotz, and Vecna takes the role of IT. Through those parallels, Holly makes sense of her terrifying new reality.
What was filming the Demogorgon attack like?
In the scene, Holly is alone in her room after overhearing her parents argue when the lights begin to flicker — the surest sign that trouble is coming. Moments later, a Demogorgon crashes in from above. Nell won’t spoil the details but calls the scene incredible to film. She shot it with Cara Buono and under the direction of the Duffer brothers, and says the experience was thrilling.
What is it like working with the Duffer brothers?
Nell describes them as astonishingly creative. She admires how deeply connected they are to the world of Stranger Things — how every detail, character, and emotional beat comes from their imagination. Watching their process firsthand was inspiring, and she found it remarkable how much passion they invest in something that brings joy to so many people.
Why do you think Stranger Things resonates with audiences everywhere?
According to Nell, it’s because the show ultimately tells a story about love overcoming darkness — in all its forms. Friendship, sibling bonds, parent–child love, romantic relationships, and the solidarity of a community all play a part. Those emotional threads are universal, and viewers connect with them deeply.