For Gwendolyn Sundstrom, playing Grace in Crystal Lake meant finding the emotional truth in a character whose experiences were far removed from her own. Grace’s loneliness, fierce loyalty to Jason Voorhees and growing anger give her a complicated place in the Friday the 13th story—and Sundstrom embraced the challenge.

Joining Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias, Sundstrom discussed her audition, the friendship at the heart of Grace’s story and the physical preparation behind her fight scenes. She also broke down filming the boathouse sequence with Phoenix Parnevik and Danielle Kotch, and shared where she would like Grace’s story to go if a second season happens.

Finding Grace’s Voice

Sundstrom auditioned for Grace from the beginning, describing a process that stretched over roughly three months. Despite a long period without news, she felt an early connection to the material and liked both the script and the character.

Turning that initial enthusiasm into a performance required imagination. Sundstrom explained that she had little in common with Grace’s circumstances, so she developed her own understanding of the character’s inner life. She also watched the original Friday the 13th to help familiarize herself with the world she was entering.

Why Grace’s Friendship With Jason Matters

Grace’s defense of Jason against the children bullying him comes from a deeply personal connection. As Sundstrom sees it, their friendship gives both characters someone to rely on when they otherwise feel alone.

“They’re like the only person that the other has, and they really stick up for each other.”

— Gwendolyn Sundstrom, Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias

That bond benefited from an easy connection between the young performers. Sundstrom recalled improvising and bouncing ideas back and forth during their first chemistry test over Zoom. By the time they met in person, that playful dynamic gave them a foundation for the friendship viewers see on screen.

Grace’s attempts to connect with the older girls come from a similar need for companionship. Sundstrom explained that Grace wants the friendships and support they appear to have. Claudette’s rejection—and her accusation over the broken windshield—help turn that longing into resentment.

Doing Her Own Stunts in the Bathroom Fight

The bathroom confrontation offered Sundstrom an opportunity she had been eager to try: performing her own stunts. She recalled dedicating a full day to rehearsing the sequence without filming, working through the movements and falls so the action could be performed safely.

The physical work was part of the appeal. Getting to fight, fall onto a mat and take part in the choreography made the scene a particularly enjoyable experience for her.

Playing Grace’s Trust in Pamela

Grace’s difficult home life adds another layer to her relationship with Pamela Voorhees. Asked how she separated her knowledge as an actress from what Grace knows, Sundstrom pointed to Linda Cardellini’s warmth on set and the importance of staying within the character’s perspective.

In scenes set before Pamela’s violence, Sundstrom approached her as Jason’s mother: someone looking out for Grace, rather than someone Grace already has reason to fear. That distinction helped keep the performance grounded in the moment.

The Boathouse Scene and a Different Kind of First Kill

Sundstrom singled out episode five as a favorite, and the boathouse sequence—in which Grace kills Claudette and Barry—as her favorite scene to film. The night shoot and the emotional intensity of the material made it stand out.

Reading the sequence also made her think about the audience. Grace’s involvement changes the familiar circumstances of Friday the 13th’s opening killings, giving longtime fans a different perspective on a moment they already know. Sundstrom was excited to discover how viewers would respond.

Despite the scene’s weight, filming on the water moved quickly. Sundstrom recalled being told they might spend about an hour there, but estimated that the sequence took only two takes.

Where Could Grace Go Next?

With Grace surviving the season, Sundstrom is interested in the choices ahead of her. If the story continues, she hopes to explore what happens after Grace’s hospital stay and whether she stays with Pamela or takes another path.

“What pathway does she kind of take?”

— Gwendolyn Sundstrom on Grace’s possible future

Those are hopes for a potential continuation, rather than confirmed story details. For now, the interview offers a closer look at how Sundstrom approached a character whose search for connection becomes entangled with the violence at Crystal Lake.