The highly anticipated second volume of Stranger Things season five has finally premiered on Netflix, bringing with it the dramatic return of a fan-favourite character. Linnea Berthelsen reprises her role as Kali, also known as Eight, Eleven's super-powered 'sister', joining the core group's mission in a significant capacity.
Kali's Crucial Return and Dark Revelations
The first part of the season concluded on a cliffhanger, with Will Byers discovering his own abilities and Eleven reuniting with Kali. Now, in Volume 2, Berthelsen's character takes centre stage with a much-expanded narrative. Following her rescue, Kali discloses a harrowing ordeal: the military killed her friends, held her captive, and has been draining her blood.
She delivers a vital piece of information to El and Hopper, explaining that Dr. Kay, portrayed by Linda Hamilton, is attempting to create more children with powers. The key to this dangerous experiment is the blood of Henry Creel, which Eleven now carries within her system. This revelation directly ties Kali's storyline to the central threat of the final season.
Who Is Actress Linnea Berthelsen?
Linnea Berthelsen is a 32-year-old, British-trained Danish actress. Raised in Denmark, she moved to London in her twenties and now calls the city home. Her breakout role came in Stranger Things season two in the standalone episode 'The Lost Sister', where audiences first met Kali.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Berthelsen revealed she never expected to return to the hit series. "I was about to do something else when they called me three years ago to do [season 5]," she said. "So I think I was never attached mentally to come back... but it's just very lovely to see they had something that they wanted to do with the character." The call from the Duffer Brothers came in 2022, leading to her pivotal role in the finale.
From 'Devs' to Hawkins: Berthelsen's Career
While Stranger Things remains her most prominent role to date, Berthelsen has built a solid career in screen acting. Following her initial stint on the Netflix show, she featured in the acclaimed tech thriller miniseries 'Devs', playing software engineer Jen. She has also appeared in the sci-fi show 'The Desert' alongside various short film projects.
Off-screen, fans discussing the new episodes have noted the striking height difference between Berthelsen and her co-stars. Standing at exactly 5 feet tall, she contrasts sharply with David Harbour's 6'3" and even Millie Bobby Brown, who is 5'3".
Stranger Things Volume 5, Part 2, featuring Linnea Berthelsen's return as Kali, is streaming now on Netflix. The series conclusion weaves her character's arc directly into the heart of the battle for Hawkins and beyond.
