Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace
When Netflix needed someone to play a younger version of Sabrina Spellman in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Kiernan Shipka had a suggestion. “We’re dead ringers,” she said about McKenna Grace, according to showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. The casting worked so well that fans started asking a question that still comes up today: are Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace related?
They aren’t. But the two actresses share a striking resemblance, a character, and now a new project. Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace are set to star together in The Nowhere Game, a survival thriller.
This article covers their Sabrina connection, their new film, both of their backgrounds, and career highlights.
Quick Facts
| Kiernan Shipka | McKenna Grace | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kiernan Brennan Shipka | McKenna Grace |
| Born | November 10, 1999 | June 25, 2006 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois | Grapevine, Texas |
| Breakout | Sally Draper on Mad Men | Gifted, I, Tonya |
| Sabrina role | Sabrina Spellman (main role) | Young Sabrina |
| Other talents | Producing | Singing and songwriting |
| New project together | The Nowhere Game | The Nowhere Game |
Are Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace Related?
No. Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace are not related. They look so much alike that many viewers assume they’re sisters, but they have no family connection. Their only link was professional, until their friendship and new film made it more than that.
The Sabrina Connection
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018 to 2020)
Kiernan Shipka starred as Sabrina Spellman, a half-witch, half-mortal teenager, in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The series, based on the Archie Comics character, ran for four parts.
McKenna Grace joined as young Sabrina in “A Midwinter’s Tale,” a holiday special that aired December 14, 2018. She appeared in flashbacks showing Sabrina’s childhood. Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said Shipka herself recommended Grace for the part because of how similar they look.
The Nowhere Game
Years later, the two are reuniting on screen. In The Nowhere Game, directed by David Charbonier and Justin Douglas Powell from a script by Alex Pototsky, Grace plays Carin and Shipka plays Allie. The two characters are on a road trip when a kidnapper traps them in a deadly game. They’re released into a forest with a head start while an online audience watches them being hunted. To survive, they have to turn the tables and become hunters themselves.
Kiernan Shipka: Early Life and Education
Kiernan Shipka was born on November 10, 1999, in Chicago, Illinois. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was young, and she began acting as a child. She was also a competitive ballroom dancer as a kid.
Career Timeline
- 2007 to 2015: Played Sally Draper, Don Draper’s daughter, on AMC’s Mad Men, growing up on screen over seven seasons.
- 2014: Starred in Flowers in the Attic for Lifetime.
- 2017: Appeared as B.D. Hyman in FX’s Feud: Bette and Joan.
- 2018 to 2020: Starred as Sabrina Spellman in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
- 2023: Led the horror comedy Totally Killer on Prime Video.
- 2024: Appeared in Twisters and Longlegs.
- 2026: Set to star in The Nowhere Game.
McKenna Grace: Early Life and Education
McKenna Grace was born on June 25, 2006, in Grapevine, Texas. She started acting at a young age, appearing in commercials before landing TV and film roles.
Career Timeline
- 2014 to 2016: Played Faith Newman on The Young and the Restless.
- 2017: Starred opposite Chris Evans in Gifted and played young Tonya Harding in I, Tonya.
- 2018: Played young Theo in The Haunting of Hill House and young Sabrina in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
- 2019: Played young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel.
- 2021: Joined The Handmaid’s Tale as Esther Keyes.
- 2021: Also starred as Phoebe Spengler in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
- 2024: Returned as Phoebe in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
- 2020s: Built a music career as a singer-songwriter, releasing singles and an EP.
- 2026: Attended the Academy Awards and is set to star in The Nowhere Game.
How Their Careers Compare
| Category | Kiernan Shipka | McKenna Grace |
|---|---|---|
| Started acting | As a young child | As a young child |
| Breakout | Mad Men | Gifted, I, Tonya |
| Genre focus | Drama, horror, thriller | Drama, sci-fi, horror |
| Famous “young” roles | None needed | Young Tonya, young Carol Danvers, young Sabrina, young Theo |
| Franchise | Sabrina | Ghostbusters |
| Music | No major music career | Singer-songwriter |
What Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace Have in Common
- Child actors: Both started acting before they were ten.
- Sabrina Spellman: Both have played the teenage witch.
- Horror and thriller fans: Shipka has Longlegs and Totally Killer. Grace has The Haunting of Hill House and Ghostbusters.
- Lookalikes: Their similar features are a big part of why fans connect them.
- Mature careers: Both have moved smoothly from child roles to adult careers.
Why Fans Love This Pairing
Fans of Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace love the idea of two Sabrinas sharing the screen again. Their resemblance made the young Sabrina casting unforgettable, and The Nowhere Game gives them a chance to work side by side as adults. Many fans are curious to see how their chemistry plays out in a dark, high-stakes thriller.
Where to Start
For Kiernan Shipka, watch Mad Men to see her grow up on screen, then Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Totally Killer. For McKenna Grace, start with Gifted, I, Tonya, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Lessons From Their Careers
- Grow with your roles. Shipka went from playing a child to leading her own series.
- Every role counts. Grace built her reputation playing young versions of famous characters.
- Support your peers. Shipka recommending Grace for young Sabrina shows how actors can lift each other up.
- Explore new talents. Grace’s music career shows how actors can expand their creative work.
The Legacy of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina ran on Netflix from October 2018 to December 2020 across four parts. It was based on the Archie Horror comic series created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Robert Hack. The show took a much darker approach than the 1990s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, mixing horror, coming-of-age drama, and dark humor.
After the Netflix series ended, Shipka returned as Sabrina in a crossover on The CW’s Riverdale, giving fans a chance to see the character again. The show still has a strong fan base, and the young Sabrina flashbacks with Grace remain a favorite with viewers because of how well the two actresses matched.
For many fans, that holiday special was the first time they realized how much the two actresses looked alike. It sparked years of online comparisons, side-by-side photos, and the question of whether they’re related, which they are not. Their reunion in The Nowhere Game adds a new chapter to a connection that started with one small but memorable casting choice.
In Short
In short, both actresses grew up on screen and handled the jump to adult roles with skill. Their shared Sabrina history and new thriller give fans plenty of reasons to keep watching. Shipka brings years of experience leading a series, while Grace brings range from drama, sci-fi, and music. Together, they make one of the more interesting on-screen pairings of their generation, and fans are eager to see how their real-life connection shows up in a tense survival story.
Final Thoughts
Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace share more than a famous resemblance. Both played Sabrina Spellman, both started as child actors, and both have built impressive careers in drama, horror, and blockbuster franchises. Now they’re teaming up again in The Nowhere Game. Whether you know them from Mad Men, Ghostbusters, or Greendale, the story of Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace is a fun reminder of how small casting choices can create lasting connections.
Key Takeaways
- Kiernan Shipka was born November 10, 1999, in Chicago. McKenna Grace was born June 25, 2006, in Grapevine, Texas.
- Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace are not related, despite their striking resemblance.
- Shipka starred as Sabrina Spellman in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Grace played young Sabrina in the December 2018 holiday special “A Midwinter’s Tale.” Shipka recommended Grace for the role.
- The two are set to star together in The Nowhere Game, a survival thriller in which their characters are hunted while an online audience watches.
- Shipka rose to fame as Sally Draper on Mad Men and later starred in Totally Killer, Twisters, and Longlegs.
- Grace broke out in Gifted and I, Tonya, played young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel, and stars as Phoebe in the Ghostbusters films.
- Both started acting as young children and have built strong adult careers.
