Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace
Fans have been saying it for years: these two look like they could be sisters. Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace have similar blonde hair, bright eyes, and the same early start in Hollywood. They even played the same character on the same show. But they are not related.
The real link between Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace is Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix. Shipka played teenage witch Sabrina Spellman. Grace played a young Sabrina in a 2018 holiday episode, and Shipka herself suggested Grace for the part because they were “dead ringers.”
This profile covers their ages, education, career timelines, music, and what each is working on in 2026.
Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace at a Glance
| Kiernan Shipka | McKenna Grace | |
|---|---|---|
| Born | November 10, 1999 | June 25, 2006 |
| Age (October 2026) | 26 | 20 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA | Grapevine, Texas, USA |
| Started acting | As a young child | Around age 5 |
| Known for | Mad Men, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Gifted, Young Sheldon, Ghostbusters |
| Shared role | Sabrina Spellman | Young Sabrina Spellman |
| Also does | Producing and fashion | Singing and songwriting |
Are They Related?
No. Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace are not related. They have no family connection at all. The rumor started because they look so much alike, and it grew after they played the same character. Shipka was the one who pushed for Grace to play young Sabrina.
Early Life and Education
Kiernan Shipka
Kiernan Shipka was born in Chicago in 1999. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was young so she could pursue acting. She started with small parts in TV shows and commercials.
She grew up on the set of Mad Men, which she joined at about 7. She balanced school with filming for years and has spoken about how her parents kept her life grounded. She has also developed a strong interest in fashion.
McKenna Grace
McKenna Grace was born in Grapevine, Texas, in 2006. She started acting professionally at about 5, and her family moved to Los Angeles so she could work. Her early credits include the Disney XD show Crash and Bernstein and the soap The Young and the Restless.
She did her schooling around a busy filming schedule. Alongside acting, she started writing songs as a teenager and began releasing music.
Career Timeline
Kiernan Shipka’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Joins Mad Men as Sally Draper |
| 2015 | Mad Men ends after seven seasons |
| 2017 | Stars in the horror film The Blackcoat’s Daughter |
| 2018 | Chilling Adventures of Sabrina premieres on Netflix |
| 2020 | Sabrina ends after four parts |
| 2023 | Returns as Sabrina in Riverdale; stars in Totally Killer and Twisted Metal |
| 2024 | Twisters, Longlegs, Red One, Sweethearts, and The Last Showgirl |
| 2025 | Stone Cold Fox and more Twisted Metal |
| 2026 | Comedy film Idiots |
McKenna Grace’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Early TV roles, including Crash and Bernstein |
| 2017 | Breakout role in Gifted with Chris Evans; plays young Tonya Harding in I, Tonya |
| 2018 | Young Theo in The Haunting of Hill House; young Sabrina in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina |
| 2019 | Young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel |
| 2018 | Begins playing Paige on Young Sheldon |
| 2021 | Guest role in The Handmaid’s Tale earns an Emmy nomination; plays Phoebe Spengler in Ghostbusters: Afterlife |
| 2023 | Releases her debut album |
| 2024 | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire |
| 2025 | Regretting You and Anniversary |
| 2026 | Stars in Scream 7; releases “Twisting the Knife” with Ice Nine Kills |
How Their Careers Compare
Shipka grew up in prestige TV. Playing Sally Draper on Mad Men put her next to Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss for eight years. Critics praised her mature performance. As Sabrina, she proved she could lead a show. Since then, she has picked a wide mix of roles, from horror to comedy to big studio films.
Grace became the go to young version of big stars. She played younger versions of characters portrayed by Margot Robbie, Brie Larson, and Kiernan Shipka herself. Then she broke out as a lead in her own right, especially in the Ghostbusters films. She also built a music career on the side.
| Trait | Kiernan Shipka | McKenna Grace |
|---|---|---|
| Big TV role | Sally Draper in Mad Men | Paige in Young Sheldon |
| Horror work | Sabrina, Longlegs, Totally Killer | Scream 7, The Haunting of Hill House |
| Franchise | Twisted Metal | Ghostbusters and Scream |
| Music | Not a focus | Singer songwriter |
| Biggest honor | Shared SAG Award with the Mad Men cast | Primetime Emmy nomination |
Awards and Achievements
Kiernan Shipka shared Screen Actors Guild Award nominations with the Mad Men ensemble, and the cast won in 2009.
McKenna Grace earned a Critics’ Choice nomination for Best Young Performer for Gifted. She received a Primetime Emmy nomination for her guest role as Esther Keyes in The Handmaid’s Tale.
Music and Other Interests
Kiernan Shipka is known for her love of fashion and is a regular at fashion weeks and red carpet events.
McKenna Grace is a singer and songwriter. She released her debut album in 2023, followed by the Autumn Leaves EP. In February 2026, she teamed up with metal band Ice Nine Kills on “Twisting the Knife” for the Scream 7 soundtrack.
Where Are They Now in 2026?
Kiernan Shipka is 26 and keeps building a wide film career. After a huge 2024 with five releases, she has the comedy Idiots in 2026. Twisted Metal also gave her a fan favorite role as Quiet.
McKenna Grace is 20. She stars in Scream 7, which hit theaters on February 27, 2026, and recorded a song for its soundtrack. She is also listed for the film Slanted.
Their Sabrina Moment in Detail
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina premiered on Netflix in October 2018. It was a darker take on the classic Archie Comics character. Kiernan Shipka played Sabrina Spellman, a half witch, half mortal teen growing up in the creepy town of Greendale.
For the special holiday episode, “A Midwinter’s Tale,” which arrived in December 2018, the show needed a young Sabrina for flashback scenes. Shipka suggested McKenna Grace, saying the two were “dead ringers.” The producers agreed, and fans were amazed at how alike they looked on screen.
The casting started a long running fan theory that the two are sisters. They are not, but the moment made them a favorite pair online.
Fun Facts
- McKenna Grace has played younger versions of characters portrayed by Margot Robbie, Brie Larson, and Kiernan Shipka.
- Kiernan Shipka was only about 7 when she joined Mad Men, and she grew up on set over eight years.
- Grace sings and writes her own music, and she has covered songs by Taylor Swift.
- Shipka played Sabrina again in a 2023 crossover episode of Riverdale.
- Both actors have done plenty of horror, from Longlegs and Totally Killer to Scream 7 and The Haunting of Hill House.
Lessons From Their Careers
Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace show how child actors can build lasting careers. Both chose a mix of big projects and smaller, interesting films. Both also stayed grounded with family support. Shipka learned her craft working alongside seasoned actors on Mad Men. Grace has found an outlet in music, which gives her another way to express herself beyond acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace sisters? No. They are not related at all. They simply look alike and played the same character.
Who played young Sabrina? McKenna Grace played young Sabrina in the 2018 holiday episode of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
How old is Kiernan Shipka? She was born on November 10, 1999, so she is 26 and turns 27 in November 2026.
How old is McKenna Grace? She was born on June 25, 2006, so she is 20 as of October 2026.
What’s Next
Shipka keeps choosing a wide mix of roles, from horror to comedy to drama, and is now one of Hollywood’s most reliable young leads. Grace is balancing acting with her music career and has said she wants to keep writing songs. As both move further into adult roles, fans will be watching to see if the two former Sabrinas ever share the screen again. A reunion in a horror film would feel like a natural fit, given how much scary material both have made.
Why People Compare Them
Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace started young, look alike, and shared a famous role. Both have moved from child roles to adult careers with skill, which many child actors find hard. Their Sabrina connection gives fans a fun reason to put Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace side by side.
Key Takeaways
- Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace are not related, but both played Sabrina Spellman in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
- Kiernan Shipka was born November 10, 1999, in Chicago, and is 26. She became famous as Sally Draper on Mad Men.
- McKenna Grace was born June 25, 2006, in Grapevine, Texas, and is 20. She broke out in Gifted and played Phoebe in Ghostbusters.
- Shipka recommended Grace to play young Sabrina in the show’s 2018 holiday episode.
- Grace is also a singer songwriter and earned an Emmy nomination for The Handmaid’s Tale.
- In 2026, Shipka stars in Idiots, while Grace stars in Scream 7 and sings on its soundtrack.
