Linnea Berthelsen is a Danish actress who gained international recognition for her portrayal of Kali Prasad, also known as Eight or 008, in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Born in India and raised in Denmark, she trained in London and has built a career that spans Danish short films, international television, and British stage work. Her path from a childhood in Kalundborg to the Hawkins lab is marked by deliberate choices and a preference for privacy rarely seen in the streaming age.
Berthelsen first appeared on screen in her early teens. By the time she was cast in one of the most-watched shows in the world, she had already completed formal training at a leading British drama school. Her story is one of quiet ambition, transnational movement, and careful professional curation.
Who Is Linnea Berthelsen?
Role as Kali / Eight in Stranger Things
India (raised in Denmark)
Danish
East 15 Acting School, London
- Linnea Berthelsen is a Danish actress born in India, best known for her portrayal of Kali Prasad (also known as Eight) in the Netflix series Stranger Things.
- She is a British-trained actress, having studied at the prestigious East 15 Acting School in London.
- Berthelsen has a limited but impactful filmography, with notable roles in Stranger Things (season 2 and 5) and the Alex Garland series Devs.
- As of late 2025, she is making her UK stage debut in a solo show titled Darkling at the Bush Theatre in London.
- She maintains a very private personal life, with no confirmed information about her romantic relationships.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Linnea Berthelsen |
| Date of Birth / Age | July 13, 1993 (33 years old as of 2026) |
| Place of Birth | India (raised in Kalundborg and Copenhagen, Denmark) |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Height | 1.53 m (5′ 0¼″) per IMDb; other sources cite 1.64 m (5′ 4″) |
| Profession | Actress |
| Years Active | 2014–present |
| Notable Work | Stranger Things, Devs, Darkling |
| Education | East 15 Acting School, Essex, England |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Social Media | Verified Instagram: @linneaberthelsen |
What Is Linnea Berthelsen Known For? Key Roles and Career
The Role That Changed Everything: Kali in Stranger Things
Berthelsen was cast as Kali Prasad, a test subject with the power to create hallucinations, in the second season of Stranger Things. The character is introduced as the biological sister of Eleven and leads a gang of runaways in an abandoned warehouse. For many viewers, the episode titled The Lost Sister was their first encounter with Berthelsen. She later reprised the role in the fifth and final season in 2025, according to Wikipedia.
Training and Early Work
Berthelsen began acting in her early teens. Her debut came in the short film Mirrors in 2014. She went on to appear in Danish short films including Natskygge, Dyspno, Cape Fear, and the film Hybrid (2015). Her formal training took place at the East 15 Acting School in Essex, England, where she also developed skills in mezzo-soprano singing, contemporary dance, and ballet, as documented on IMDb.
Berthelsen’s education at East 15 Acting School included not only acting but also mezzo-soprano singing, contemporary dance, and ballet. This diverse training has informed her physical and vocal approach to performance.
Beyond Hawkins: Devs and Other Work
In 2020, Berthelsen appeared in Devs, a limited series created by Alex Garland for FX. The show, a science-fiction thriller about a quantum computing company, represented a significant departure from the world of Hawkins. She also appeared in the 2017 mini-series The Desert as Nura and featured as herself in the Netflix after-show Beyond Stranger Things.
Linnea Berthelsen’s Personal Life: Parents, Relationships, and Background
Family and Upbringing
Berthelsen was born in India and raised in Denmark, growing up in Kalundborg and later Copenhagen. Her parents have not been publicly identified, and she has not shared details about them in interviews. Her specific ethnic background has not been detailed, though she has spoken about her connection to both Indian and Danish cultures. According to the Danish Wikipedia entry, she moved to England in 2014 at age 20 to pursue acting.
Relationship Status
Berthelsen maintains a very private personal life. There is no public, official confirmation of a husband or current relationship. One unverified source claims she is in a long-distance relationship with a man in San Francisco, but this has not been corroborated by primary biographies or by Berthelsen herself. She is reportedly not married.
Religion
Berthelsen has not publicly discussed her religious beliefs. This information is not available from credible public sources.
Questions about Berthelsen’s husband, parents, and religion arise primarily from fan curiosity. In every case, the absence of public information reflects her deliberate choice to keep these aspects of her life outside the media spotlight.
What Is Linnea Berthelsen’s Height and Physical Appearance?
Berthelsen’s height is one of the most frequently searched facts about her, yet no authoritative source has confirmed it. IMDb lists her height as 1.53 m (5′ 0¼″). Several other biographical sites, including Naija News, cite 1.64 m (5′ 4″). The discrepancy is common among public figures whose measurements are estimated rather than officially published. Neither Berthelsen nor her representatives have addressed the question.
Two different heights circulate online: 1.53 m (5′ 0¼″) from IMDb and 1.64 m (5′ 4″) from other biographical sources. Neither has been confirmed by Berthelsen or an official agency.
Is Linnea Berthelsen on Social Media?
Berthelsen has a verified Instagram account with the handle @linneaberthelsen. She uses it to post updates about her career and occasional glimpses into her personal life. The account features promotional content for her projects, behind-the-scenes images, and interactions with collaborators. She does not maintain a public presence on other major social platforms under her own name.
- Early Life: Born in India; moved to and raised in Denmark.
- Training: Trained at East 15 Acting School in London.
- 2017: Cast as Kali Prasad / Eight in Stranger Things (Season 2).
- 2020: Appeared in the miniseries Devs by Alex Garland.
- 2025: Cast in Stranger Things Season 5 (final season) and announced UK stage debut in Darkling at the Bush Theatre.
What Remains Uncertain About Linnea Berthelsen?
Several biographical details about Berthelsen are either unconfirmed or subject to conflicting reports. The table below separates what is established from what remains unclear.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born in India, raised in Denmark | Exact birth year and date (often cited as July 13, 1993 but not officially confirmed) |
| Danish nationality | Specific ethnic background within India |
| Trained at East 15 Acting School | Height (multiple conflicting estimates) |
| Plays Kali / Eight in Stranger Things | Marital status and romantic relationships |
| Resides in London | Religious beliefs |
| Appeared in Devs (2020) | Net worth (no reliable public data) |
What Is the Context of Linnea Berthelsen’s Career?
Berthelsen represents a modern, globally mobile actor. Born in India, raised in Denmark, and trained in the UK, her career reflects the transnational nature of the entertainment industry. The gap between her appearances in Stranger Things seasons 2 and 5 has generated curiosity among fans. Rather than pursuing a high-volume television career, she has chosen selective, high-quality projects such as Alex Garland’s Devs.
Her upcoming stage debut in Darkling at the Bush Theatre, announced in a press release, signals a commitment to diversifying her craft beyond screen acting. The play marks her first UK stage performance and suggests a deliberate expansion of her artistic range.
Where Do the Facts About Linnea Berthelsen Come From?
The most authoritative sources for Berthelsen’s biography are the English Wikipedia entry and its Danish and German counterparts, which draw on credited references. Her professional credits are documented on IMDb, an industry-standard database. A long-form interview published by Hat C Magazine provides direct quotes and insight into her creative perspective. The Bush Theatre published an official announcement regarding her stage debut in Darkling.
No single public interview or press release has addressed the personal questions that circulate online. The absence of information on topics such as relationships, religion, and net worth is itself a fact worth noting.
Summary: Who Is Linnea Berthelsen?
Linnea Berthelsen is a Danish actress of Indian birth who rose to prominence through Stranger Things and has since built a deliberate, cross-cultural career spanning Danish film, American television, and British theatre. She was born in India, raised in Denmark, trained in London, and currently resides in the UK. As of mid-2025, she is performing in Darkling at the Bush Theatre and is set to appear in the final season of Stranger Things. Her biography continues to evolve as she takes on new challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Linnea Berthelsen
What is Linnea Berthelsen’s height?
Linnea Berthelsen’s exact height has not been officially confirmed. Fan sources and unverified databases estimate it to be around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm).
Does Linnea Berthelsen have a husband?
No confirmed information is publicly available about Linnea Berthelsen’s marital status or a husband. She has not shared details about her romantic relationships in interviews.
What is Linnea Berthelsen’s religion?
Linnea Berthelsen has not publicly discussed her religious beliefs. This information is not available from credible public sources.
Is Linnea Berthelsen on Instagram?
Yes, Linnea Berthelsen has a verified Instagram account with the handle @linneaberthelsen, where she posts updates about her career and personal life.
What is Linnea Berthelsen’s net worth?
There is no reliable, publicly available information about Linnea Berthelsen’s net worth. Estimates found online are speculative and should not be considered accurate.
Where was Linnea Berthelsen born?
Linnea Berthelsen was born in India and raised in Denmark, growing up in Kalundborg and later Copenhagen.
What role did Linnea Berthelsen play in Stranger Things?
She played Kali Prasad, also known as Eight or 008, a test subject with the power to create hallucinations who is the biological sister of Eleven.
Where did Linnea Berthelsen train as an actress?
She trained at the East 15 Acting School in Essex, England, where she also studied mezzo-soprano singing, contemporary dance, and ballet.
Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at DailyCity.co.uk, covering breaking news and general city stories across the UK.