By Joe Puccio

Very few television shows have captured the collective public interest over the last decade more than an (initially) unassuming quaint tale centering on a group of outcast children battling supernatural entities in the 1980s. Since its debut ten years ago, Stranger Things, the multifaceted Netflix series – an amalgamation of horror, science fiction, and coming-of-age drama – has taken popular culture on a thrill ride of epic proportions. And even more impressive is the fact that as each volume was unleashed on its rabid fan base, the stakes of said program increased tenfold, climaxing with a fifth and final season that was more a monumental event, with an actual theatrical release, than a mere small screen production.

Besides its layered storytelling, detailed atmosphere, and massive budget, the modern sensation’s undeniable success was clearly a result of its ensemble group of players who so naturally brought the program to life. While the adult contingent of established thespians like Winona Ryder, Matthew Modine, Linda Hamilton, and Paul Reiser certainly gave it an air of prestige and purpose, it was the plethora of obscure child performers, completely unknown before its premiere, who became the pure, unadulterated energy that made Stranger Things a bona fide bingeworthy phenomenon – even among its own.

“I have a funny story about this,” Calista Craig effused, during a recent conversation with Generation X Wire. “When I was 9, I was in my room with the lights off, watching the first season on my iPad. And I was absolutely terrified. My parents and I would talk about how great it would be if I could get on the show. I remember them asking me if I would shave my head for it. Fast forward a couple of years and I actually booked it! I wound up binging it with my mom.”

While Craig wasn’t required to have a bald mane like breakout star Millie Bobby Brown originally was, she managed to overcome her fear of its spooky subject matter and become a key cast member in its concluding eight episodes, portraying Mary, the best friend of Nell Fisher’s Holly Wheeler.  

When the dynamic ingenue landed the life-altering part, she hadn’t yet fully finished watching the first four seasons, a fact that she has mixed emotions about. “I wish I had completed it by the day of my audition because I think it would have helped me understand the character a little more,” Craig admitted. “But then again, who knows if it would’ve changed something in a negative way? I tried being as grounded as possible and not artificially scary during the reading. I was about 12 at the time.”

Stranger Things, created by Hollywood golden boys Matt and Ross Duffer, famously launched the careers of a handful of now established names, such as Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, and of course, the aforementioned Brown. For the Atlanta-born Craig, all indications point towards a lengthy profession that will be just as fruitful. “This show was definitely the biggest production that I’d ever worked on. And some of the scenes I filmed were so intense and it was cool to be able to see everything that went into bringing them to life,” she explained. “But it was also great to be able to work on each scene in the moment, like the ones at the Creel House, balancing everything from set to set. I especially enjoyed the ones shot at the military base. It all had to be choreographed in such a specific way, from how we ran, to where we ran, to what the camera would focus on going up the hill. For me, it was like a dance choreography.”

It’s not a surprise that Craig equates the intricacies of filming an elaborate sequence in Stranger Things to coordinating a complex dance routine as the versatile artist’s talents reach far beyond acting. “My parents have always told me that from the moment I learned to walk, I was dancing,” she smiled. “So, I studied dance when I was younger, which led to singing lessons. Then my singing coach suggested that I try acting, which led to going on auditions, and I fell in love with it. I’ve just always loved performing and entertaining people.” Her proclivities for the arts could even be beneficial on her resumé. “Being on a Disney show is a dream of mine,” she stated. “And to do that, it’s definitely better to have a background in dancing and singing as well.”

Despite Stranger Things culminating this past New Year’s Eve with its series finale (generating 31.5 million views worldwide in just its first week), Craig’s schedule has done anything but slow down. The diligent actress is set to appear in two very diverse films this month, family comedy The Breadwinner (May 29), starring Nate Bargatze, Mandy Moore, and Colin Jost, and suspense thriller Ed (date TBD), featuring John Travolta. “Nate was so fun to work with. Off camera, he’s exactly the way he is on stage doing his stand-up. The scenes we have together are so natural and uplifting,” she beamed. “Ed is totally different. It’s pretty gory and graphic but also has an interesting story. I can’t wait for people to see it together in theaters.”

As if acting, dancing, and singing aren’t enough for the busy entertainer, Craig also has her sights set on writing and directing in the future. “I love the idea of being in charge and creating something that’s my own. On Stranger Things, I’d often ask the Duffer Brothers, who were super open about everything, if I could try out things in scenes a certain way and they’d always let me,” she acknowledged. “And writing has always piqued my interest too.”

At only 15 years old, the world is undoubtedly Craig’s oyster. And with both genre and lighthearted fare already under her belt, her potential for more eclectic projects is limitless. “I’d love to do a rom com (romantic comedy) someday,” she shared, matter-of-factly. “Stranger Things has opened up so many doors for me and I’m grateful. I’m really excited to see what comes next.”