Shannon Purser Says “Fat Actors” Are Only Cast in Supporting Roles

At the time, Shannon was optimistic about Hollywood’s inclusion of plus-size actors. She shared, “It’s slow-going, but it’s happening, for sure. I’m seeing a lot of roles written explicitly for plus-size women, which is so cool. Also, [I’m] going out for parts that I think I probably wouldn’t have been considered for, like, five years ago.”

The actress first received acclaim for her role as Barb in Stranger Things, earning her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Since then, she’s starred in Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, Rise and Riverdale, in which she plays Ethel Muggs.