The most recent season of Stranger Things has been a resounding success for Netflix, as it has managed to break viewership records for an English-language show – the premiere garnered a whopping 287 million hours of viewership and still holds the record. It is second only to Squid Game among Netflix programs!
While the fourth season of Stranger Things had many highlights, the new additions to the cast perhaps generated the most fanfare.
Actors like Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna/Henry/001), Joseph Quinn (Eddie Munson), Tom Wlaschiha (Dmitri “Enzo” Antonov), and, of course, Grace Van Dien (Chrissy Cunningham) have quickly become fan-favorite characters despite their fates within the events of the latest season.
Grace Van Dien portrays a vulnerable Chrissy Cunningham in a hauntingly lit scene from Season 4 of Stranger Things, capturing the character’s inner turmoil (Credit: Netflix)
But how did Grace Van Dien, specifically, land the role of Chrissy Cunningham?
Grace Van Dien’s Hollywood Roots: Acting Legacy and Early Career
Grace Van Dien was born in Los Angeles, California, the epicenter of the American film industry. She is the daughter of Hollywood actor Casper Van Dien, best known for his roles in several 1990s films, particularly the cult classic Starship Troopers (1997).
Her mother, Carrie Mitchum, also comes from a film background, being the granddaughter of the famous Golden Age Hollywood actor Robert Mitchum.
Grace Van Dien shares a heartwarming hug with her father, Casper Van Dien, at the premiere of Roost during the 47th Toronto International Film Festival on September 15, 2022 (Credit: Julien Reynaud / ABACA / INSTARimage / Cover Images)
Due to her Hollywood parentage, numerous accusations of nepotism have been leveled against the young Van Dien.
She responded to these accusations in an interview with The Washington Post, stating: “I love my dad. I love that I have someone to guide me through this rollercoaster of an industry… Does that single-handedly book me the job? No. And I wouldn’t want it to. But I find it so awesome.”
Van Dien initially did not want to pursue a career as an actress, telling People magazine: “I wanted to go to college and become a writer, and I didn’t want to be a part of this world at all.”
Grace Van Dien (center, in yellow) as Brooke Osmond in Netflix’s teen drama Greenhouse Academy, surrounded by fellow cast members in a scene full of school spirit (Credit: Netflix)
Van Dien’s first significant role was with Netflix as Brooke Osmond in the series Greenhouse Academy. She was 21 years old when she was cast, and she played the part in the first two seasons of the show, from 2017 to 2019.
In 2019, Van Dien departed the role of Brooke Osmond to take on the central role of Katie Campbell in the NBC series The Village, which unfortunately was canceled after only one season.
Grace Van Dien delivers an emotional performance as Katie Campbell in NBC’s short-lived drama The Village, portraying a young woman navigating complex personal challenges (Credit: NBC)
She followed this up with more minor roles in various films and episodic appearances in television productions before finally landing the role of Chrissy Cunningham in the fourth season of Stranger Things, which premiered in May 2022.
How Grace Van Dien Landed Her Breakout Role in Stranger Things
Grace Van Dien’s familiarity with the Netflix studio undoubtedly helped contribute to her landing the role of Chrissy Cunningham in Stranger Things.
Chrissy is a popular high school cheerleader, and Van Dien’s cutesy blonde look felt natural for the role during the casting process.
Grace Van Dien wears a retro green and gold cheerleading uniform as Chrissy Cunningham, the Hawkins High head cheerleader, in Season 4 of Stranger Things (Credit: Netflix)
Her initial casting and character were announced via the official Stranger Things social media accounts on June 9, 2021, sparking speculation about how her character would fit into the already established and beloved cast.
Was There Romance Between Chrissy and Eddie in Stranger Things?
This is a question that gets brought up time and time again by fans of Stranger Things, and it’s clear to see why. Grace Van Dien and Joseph Quinn had chemistry in every scene that they shared in the most recent season.
In interviews on the subject, both actors confirmed that they believe that their characters did, indeed, have crushes on one another, although Chrissy was dating Jason Carver at the time.
Grace Van Dien as Chrissy Cunningham and Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in the fourth season of Stranger Things (Credit: Netflix)
Quinn described Chrissy and Eddie as “having been on the outskirts of falling in love” in an interview with TVLine. Van Dien also expressed that Chrissy would have probably left Jason for Eddie if she were able to appear in the second episode of the latest season.
Unfortunately, as we know, Chrissy Cunningham met her gruesome fate at the end of the first episode, so her and Eddie’s romance was never able to reach fruition.
Grace Van Dien floats midair in a chilling scene as Chrissy Cunningham, wearing her Hawkins High cheer uniform in Stranger Things Season 4’s haunting premiere episode (Credit: Netflix)
Why Fans Compare Grace Van Dien to Scarlett Johansson
Grace Van Dien’s appearance has also been widely compared to that of a young Scarlett Johansson, with many people on popular social media platforms posting side-by-side comparisons of the two.
The comparison makes sense considering that both Van Dien and Johansson share facial features common to their ancestral roots. Van Dien has Scandinavian heritage from her father, and Johansson has Danish heritage from her father as well.
Though not related, Grace Van Dien (right) has often drawn comparisons to a young Scarlett Johansson (left) for their shared features—bright blue eyes, high cheekbones, and radiant smiles (Credit: S_bukley / Shutterstock / Kathy Hutchins)
Van Dien has become instantly recognizable for these features, which include her bright blue eyes, high cheekbones, and her toothy smile – all features that Johansson also shares.
We think she’s in pretty good company if she’s already drawing comparisons to Scarlett Johansson!
Grace Van Dien beams with joy while meeting fans at German Comic Con, held at Westfalenhallen in Dortmund, Germany, on July 15, 2022 (Credit: CI / DDP / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Grace Van Dien’s Height: How Tall Is the Stranger Things Star?
Grace Van Dien is relatively petite at 5ft 2 ½ in (158.8 cm), even shorter than her co-star Reina Hardesty (5ft 4), and wears a US women’s shoe size 7.
To elongate her frame and enhance her red carpet presence, she often opts for high heels and sleek stiletto boots.
Reina Hardesty poses in a sheer lace bodysuit and pointed black pumps next to Grace Van Dien, who pairs her edgy asymmetrical dress with sleek stiletto boots at the Beyond Fest premiere of “It’s What’s Inside” held at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on October 1, 2024, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Grace Van Dien’s Age and Birthday Details
Grace Van Dien was born on October 15, 1996. She celebrated her 28th birthday in 2024.
Grace Van Dien on Twitch: Gaming, Streaming, and Her Online Persona
Yes! In January 2022, Grace Van Dien launched her very own Twitch channel under her moniker “BlueFille” and began streaming.
She describes herself as an avid gamer, and she streams herself playing multiple games, including Fortnite, Valorant, The Forest, and Overwatch.
Grace Van Dien glows in a champagne satin dress at the world premiere of Charlie Says during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival on May 2, 2019 (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto)
Avid Twitch fans have been impressed with the quality of her gameplay, as she has shown excellent gaming skills.
This is exemplified by how quickly she has amassed followers on the platform as well. In seemingly no time at all, Van Dien boasts a follower count of 319,000 avid fans as of May 2025.
As you can see, there is certainly more than meets the eye when it comes to this young, talented star. Her career has skyrocketed due to her relatively short-lived role as Chrissy Cunningham in Stranger Things, and we’re excited to see what roles she lands in the future!
Grace Van Dien exudes vintage elegance in a velvet black dress with pearl accents at the Roost premiere during the 47th Toronto International Film Festival on September 15, 2022 (Credit: Julien Reynaud / ABACA / INSTARimage / Cover Images)
Stranger Things Stars: Fashion Moments and Rising Style Icons
From Hawkins High to haute couture, the cast of Stranger Things has showcased remarkable fashion transformations. Explore some standout style moments from the series’ stars:
Maya Hawke’s Evolution: From Scoops Ahoy to Red Carpet Glamour
- Role: Robin Buckley in Stranger Things
- Breakout Look: Maya’s character debuted in a sailor uniform paired with custom-scribbled red Converse sneakers, reflecting her rebellious spirit.
- Fashion Highlight: At the Season 4 premiere, she stunned in a black tulle Dior gown adorned with celestial embroidery and a bold red bat motif.
- Read more: Maya Hawke’s Rise in Stranger Things
Sadie Sink’s Paris Fashion Week Debut
- Event: Ashi Studio Haute Couture Fall/Winter Presentation
- Outfit: Sadie captivated audiences in a coquette pink bralette twisted into a large bow, paired with matching pink tapered pants.
- Style Impact: Her ensemble showcased a blend of youthful charm and high-fashion sophistication.
- Explore her look: Sadie Sink Stuns at Paris Fashion Week
Natalia Dyer’s Rodarte Moment in Madrid
- Event: Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in Madrid
- Outfit: Natalia donned a blue Rodarte dress, previously worn by Brie Larson, showcasing her elegant and timeless style.
- Fashion Note: The dress featured intricate detailing, highlighting Natalia’s penchant for classic silhouettes with a modern twist.
- See more: Brie Larson and Natalia Dyer Rock Same Rodarte Dress
Millie Bobby Brown’s Chic Footwear Choices
- Event: Various Red Carpet Appearances
- Footwear: Millie has been spotted in Stuart Weitzman’s ‘Climbing’ ankle boots, adding a sleek finish to her ensembles with their lace-up design and wrapped block heels.
- Style Evolution: From youthful looks to mature fashion statements, Millie’s shoe choices reflect her evolving style.
- Discover more: Millie Bobby Brown’s Height and Shoe Size
These fashion moments highlight the diverse styles and evolving fashion journeys of the Stranger Things cast, both on and off the screen.