Linnea Berthelsen is a Danish actress best known for playing Kali Prasad (Eight) in Netflix’s Stranger Things
She was born in India, adopted and raised in Denmark, trained in England at East 15 Acting School, and has built a career that spans short films, television and streaming series.
Her presence in Stranger Things combined toughness and vulnerability. Off-screen, her path to acting included early training, cross-border moves, and steady work in short films before landing the part that made her widely known.
This article tells her story in straightforward language, covers career milestones, lists key credits in a stats table, answers common questions, and cites reliable sources.
Also Read: Robert Englund’s Bio, Career and Legacy of the Man Behind Freddy Krueger
Table of Contents
Linnea Berthelsen’s Biography
Early life and background
Linnea Berthelsen was born in India and later adopted and raised in Denmark. She grew up in the town of Kalundborg.
From a young age she showed interest in performance and began acting in local projects and short films.
Her multicultural background and early experiences in Denmark helped shape her outlook and led her to pursue professional training in acting.1
Thank you @franticassembly. This was wild! pic.twitter.com/AlDv3HyO6Y
— Linnea Berthelsen (@linnea_bert) July 19, 2023
Moving for training
As a young adult, Berthelsen moved to England to study acting. She attended East 15 Acting School in Essex.
This school is known for combining practical training with classical and contemporary techniques.
The move signaled her commitment to turning early acting experience into a professional career.
Career Beginnings: Short Films and Early Credits
Before her international break, Berthelsen built experience in short films and independent projects. Early credits include short titles where she played varied roles.
Those early projects gave her on-set experience and helped her develop range. Her credits from this period show steady work across short films and smaller projects that prepared her for larger roles.2
Notable early projects
-
Mirrors (short) — one of her earliest screen credits.
-
A string of short films through 2014 and 2015 where she took leading and supporting parts.
These projects are important because they show how she built craft and confidence before mainstream exposure.
Breakthrough: Stranger Things and the role of Kali / Eight
Linnea Berthelsen’s major breakthrough came when she was cast as Kali Prasad, also called Eight, in the second season of Stranger Things.
Kali is one of the series’ “sisters” of Eleven who share similar experiment-based abilities. The character is visually distinct, with a punk aesthetic and strong presence, and appears in a pivotal multi-scene arc that explores trauma, revenge and the limits of telepathic powers.
Her appearance in season two made her known to international audiences and opened doors for further acting work. Kali returned to the storyline in later seasons, increasing interest in the character and in Berthelsen’s future roles.
The look and the preparation
For Kali, Berthelsen adopted a half-shaved, purple-tinted hairstyle and a bold makeup style. The creative decisions were collaborative.
In interviews she described the transformation process and credited fellow cast members for support. The haircut and style became part of how the role was perceived by fans. These visible choices helped make Kali memorable. 3
Reception and debate
The episode that introduced Kali sparked strong conversation. Some viewers loved the addition and found the character compelling.
Others debated the episode’s tone and placement in the story. Berthelsen publicly supported the showrunners’ choices and emphasized trust in the series creators.
That stance, and her measured interviews, showed a professionalism that resonated with press and fans alike.4
Continuing Career: TV and Other Projects
After Stranger Things, Linnea Berthelsen continued to work in TV and film, taking roles that broadened her portfolio.
She appeared in series and projects that leaned toward science fiction and drama, showing a pattern of interest in complex characters.
Selected TV roles
-
Devs, a science fiction miniseries where she played a supporting role. This project placed her within another high-profile, technology-focused story.
-
Appearances in other television projects and short-form films helped keep her in the acting circuit. Film and TV credits are listed in the stats table below for quick reference.5
Acting Style and Public Persona
Berthelsen’s acting style often uses quiet intensity. She tends to give characters a grounded emotional core.
Directors and interviewers note her ability to shift between physical toughness and emotional softness. She has described her approach as collaborative.
She trains in voice and movement and has mentioned working with coaches to expand what she can bring to roles.
Those practical elements support an acting style that is flexible and physical when needed.6
Off-screen, she presents as thoughtful and earnest in interviews. She speaks about craft and the value of preparation. She has discussed aesthetic risks like hair and wardrobe as choices that support character work rather than gimmicks. That measured voice aligns with how she manages press and fans.
Impact and Cultural Notes
Kali’s introduction to Stranger Things mattered for more than plot. The character added diversity to a show set primarily in a fictional American town.
Casting an actress with a South Asian background in a strong, leading-edge role broadened representation in mainstream streaming drama.
Fan response and media coverage often returned to this theme, discussing both the character and how she fit into the larger show. Berthelsen’s presence contributed to conversations about casting, representation and the kinds of stories that big series can tell.7
Challenges and Choices
Working on a major show brings visibility and scrutiny. The debates around certain episodes show that high-profile roles come with complex responses.
Berthelsen handled this environment with professionalism. She expressed trust in artistic choices and focused on craft.
At the same time she continued to pursue roles that let her grow. That balancing act is common for actors who move from independent work to global hits.
Also Read: Alec Utgoff Bio, Rise to Fame, Inspiring Acting Career and More
Stats Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Linnea Berthelsen |
| Birthplace | India (adopted and raised in Kalundborg, Denmark). |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Training | East 15 Acting School, Essex, England. |
| Years active | 2014–present. |
| Most known role | Kali Prasad / Eight in Stranger Things. |
| Selected TV | Stranger Things (S2, S5), Devs (2020). |
| Selected films / shorts | Mirrors (short), Teenland (short), Hybrid (2015), Sláinte (2022). |
| Representation | Listed with agencies and industry contacts, varies by region. |
Interviews and Public Statements
Berthelsen has given multiple interviews about her work. Press pieces from Vogue, W Magazine and other outlets covered her transformation for Stranger Things and her thoughts about the character.
In interviews she often:
-
Describes physical preparation for a role.
-
Credits co-stars and creative teams for collaborative choices.
-
Emphasizes trust in the showrunners and the storytelling process.
These interviews show she is comfortable explaining craft choices and hair and makeup transformations when those are key to a role.
Personal Life
Linnea keeps a relatively private personal life. Publicly available information focuses on her early life being adopted from India and raised in Denmark, and on her professional choices.
She has not centered relationships or family details in press coverage. Her public profile centers on acting work and professional development rather than personal exposure.
If she chooses to share more in the future those details will likely appear in interviews or on official social profiles.
What critics and industry observers say
Critics praised Berthelsen’s ability to deliver intensity and nuance in a short but crucial arc. Industry observers identify her as an actor with both physical presence and emotional range.
Commentators also note that her choice of roles since Stranger Things suggests a preference for layered, dramatic parts. That trajectory is common for talented actors who use a mainstream moment to expand into varied projects.
Awards and Nominations
As of the last public records available, Linnea Berthelsen has not been widely singled out in major awards circuits.
Her recognition mainly comes from press coverage and fan response to her role in Stranger Things. Many actors build awards momentum over time.
Berthelsen’s path shows steady work that could lead to further critical recognition in the future. For the latest awards information check entertainment industry listings and press outlets.
View this post on Instagram
FAQ’s
Q1: Where was Linnea Berthelsen born?
A: She was born in India and later adopted and raised in Kalundborg, Denmark.
Q2: How did she get the role in Stranger Things?
A: After training at East 15 Acting School and building a portfolio of short films, she auditioned and was cast as Kali. The role appeared in season two and returned in later seasons. Interviews indicate the role was cast to expand the show’s story about the experiment siblings.
Q3: Does she shave her head like Eleven?
A: For Kali she adopted a half-shaved style and dramatic color. In interviews she discussed the hair and makeup decisions and credited co-stars for support during the transformation. She has also stated she would be willing to change her look again for roles.
Q4: What other shows has she done?
A: She appeared in the miniseries Devs and several shorts. Industry databases list other credits and guest roles. Search IMDb or similar sites for a full list.
Q5: Is she active on social media?
A: Actors often maintain public social accounts, but the best way to find current and confirmed profiles is to check verified social platforms or professional pages managed by her representatives. Public coverage focuses more on roles than social posts.
Q6: Will Kali return in future seasons of Stranger Things?
A: Television storylines are decided by showrunners and network producers. There has been fan speculation and media discussion about possible returns. Official confirmation comes from the show’s creators and network announcements. Berthelsen’s character has been discussed in media coverage as a potential return character.
Coclusion
Linnea Berthelsen is an actor whose career shows how steady training, thoughtful role choices and strong collaborative instincts can lead to visibility on a global scale.
Her breakout in Stranger Things introduced her to millions. Since then she has continued to work in projects that align with her strengths.
She keeps a low personal profile while focusing on her craft. For fans and industry watchers the trajectory suggests more nuanced and varied roles ahead.
Also Read: Raphael Luce Bio, Career, Family, Movies, TV Shows and More
