Note: This story contains spoilers from “Stranger Things” Season 5, Volume 2.
Eight is back, as is actress Linnea Berthelsen.
Exactly eight (ha) years after her appearance in “Stranger Things 2,” Berthelsen returns to Netflix’s hit sci-fi series as Kali Prasad. The new volume 2 of “Stranger Things 5” teases Eight’s important role in the series finale.
But who is the actress behind this character, and what is Eight’s overall role in the past and future of “Stranger Things”? Read on to find out.
Who is Linnéa Berthelsen?
Linnea Berthelsen is a relatively unknown actress who became known for her role in “Stranger Things.” Born in India and raised in Denmark, Berthelsen began her career appearing in several short films including “Mirrors,” “Teenland” and “Natskygge.”
In 2017, Berthelsen gained recognition for her role in “Stranger Things” as Eleven’s sister, Kali Prasad (also known as Eight). Berthelsen appeared in three episodes of the second season of “Stranger Things,” including the infamous episode “The Lost Sister.”
Outside of “Stranger Things,” Berthelsen hasn’t appeared in much. The actress, however, starred in four episodes of the science fiction series “Devs”. “Devs” was created, written and directed by Alex Garland, whose film credits include “28 Days Later,” “Ex Machina,” “Annihilation,” “Civil War” and, soon, “28 Years Later: The Temple of Bones.” Berthelsen appeared in the acclaimed series, about a software engineer investigating the mysterious death of her boyfriend, as Jen, the co-worker and companion of the series’ main character, Lily.
Who is eight?
Kali Prasad is a “sister” of Eleven, both of whom were essentially raised by Dr. Martin Brenner as test subjects at Hawkins Lab. While Eleven has developed telekinetic and telepathic abilities, Eight’s powers give her the ability to cause hallucinations and psychic manipulation.
Before being taken to the Hawkins Lab, the Rainbow Room and a life of experimentation, Kali grew up in London, where she was abducted at the age of 5. Eventually, Kali escaped the lab and joined a gang to kill the people who ruined her life.
Kali’s past became the focus of the “Stranger Things 2” episode “The Lost Sister,” where Eleven joins the gang and (as Hopper points out in “Stranger Things 5” Volume 2) learns the word “bitchin’.” The episode was controversial because it was a massive diversion from the main storyline of the series’ second season.
What is Eight’s role in ‘Stranger Things 5’?
Throughout the first volume of “Stranger Things 5”, Hopper and Eleven attempted to break into a room in the Upside Down where they believed Vecna was being held by the military. In the military base, they discover that the one they thought was Vecna is actually Eight, being held captive by Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton) and her team. This is the first time Kali (and Linnea Berthelsen) have appeared on the series since “Stranger Things 2.”
Eleven and Hopper bring Kali with them out of the Upside Down, with Hopper and Kali vying for Eleven’s role in the world to come. After being kidnapped a second time by the military, Kali remains aggressive and vindictive, attempting to enlist Eleven to help put an end to their activities for good.
In the penultimate episode of “Stranger Things” (and the final episode of the second volume of the fifth season), Kali hatches a plan with Eleven that involves them both sacrificing themselves when they destroy the Upside Down. According to Kali, this would prevent the military and government from creating more children with superpowers, as losing Henry Creel and Eleven would destroy their two most powerful entities.
It’s unclear what role Kali will play in the final episode, although it seems clear that she has no intention of allowing Eleven to live if it means putting more children in danger. This will likely lead to a confrontation between Kali and Hopper, whose only goal this season has been to keep Eleven safe and alive.
Fans will have to wait until New Year’s Eve to see if Hopper goes on a wild ride in the latest episode of “Stranger Things.”
