In her second appearance on Pop Culture Unplugged, Annabel O’Hagan returned to talk all things Steph Harper and the emotional unraveling of her character in Fallout Season 2. As Steph’s control inside the Vault begins to slip, Annabel revealed how fear, trauma, and survival instincts shape her increasingly cold decisions.
“There’s part of Steph that is always running. She’s always trying to find her next move — even when it doesn’t look like it.”
A Survivor First, Always
Annabel explained that Steph has always lived in survival mode, long before viewers fully understood her backstory. In Season 2, that instinct becomes far more visible as her power erodes and paranoia takes over.
“When Steph gets scared, people become less like people to her. She has to turn off parts of her empathy just to keep moving forward.”
The actor described how Steph’s mother’s words still echo in her mind, guiding her choices inside the Vault.
“Her mother’s voice is always there: ‘Do whatever you have to do to survive.’ That’s the cornerstone of who she is.”
Discovering Steph’s Past in Real Time
One of the biggest reveals of Season 2 was Steph’s Canadian backstory and the trauma she endured before entering the Vault. Annabel shared that she only learned the full truth about her character mid-season while filming Episode 7.
“I was discovering it in real time as we were filming. When I got that script, everything clicked. It suddenly made sense why she is the way she is.”
To prepare, Annabel created detailed journals from Steph’s perspective at different ages.
“I journaled as Steph when she was ten, fifteen, and twenty. I wrote about her relationship with her mother and father. The inner life is mine to build.”
From Bubbly to Cold
Steph’s dual nature — cheerful on the surface but ruthless underneath — became even more pronounced this season. Annabel revealed that directors encouraged her to lean into the colder version of the character.
“I would do one take where she was bubbly and quirky, and another where she was cold and simple. In Season 2, they kept pulling the coldest deliveries.”
That shift signaled to Annabel just how dangerous Steph had become.
“That’s when I knew — she’ll do anything to protect herself.”
Is Steph a Villain?
Despite her morally gray actions, Annabel doesn’t view Steph as a villain.
“I don’t think anyone in the Fallout universe is good or bad. She makes questionable choices, but they make sense to her.”
She added that empathy is key to playing the role.
“My job is to love my character. If I didn’t believe in her, the audience wouldn’t either.”
Fan Reactions & Cult Following
Steph’s eyepatch and commanding presence have sparked intense fan reactions online — including tattoo requests.
“Someone asked if they could get a Steph tattoo. I didn’t even know how to respond. The idea that someone would tattoo my character is insane.”
Annabel joked that some fans have embraced Steph as a cult leader figure.
“People are like, ‘She can do no wrong.’ And I’m like… she definitely can.”
Looking Toward Season 3
Annabel hopes future seasons explore more of Steph’s past and possibly bring her to the surface world.
“I want more flashbacks. I want to see what it was like for her entering the Vault for the first time. And I hope she goes to the surface.”
She also had some advice for Steph if she could give it directly:
“Go to therapy, Steph. It works wonders.”
What’s Next for Annabel O’Hagan
Outside of Fallout, Annabel is keeping busy with new projects, including a short film premiering at the New Jersey Film Festival and an upcoming sci-fi romantic comedy.
“I’m auditioning a lot right now, and hopefully returning for Season 3. Fingers crossed.”
Pop Culture Unplugged Verdict:
Steph Harper remains one of Fallout’s most fascinating and unpredictable characters. Through Annabel O’Hagan’s layered performance, viewers see a woman shaped by trauma, driven by survival, and standing on the edge of something even darker in Season 2.