Let’s discuss Kiernan Shipka—the young actress quietly and steadily making a mark on television, one unforgettable role at a time. You could know her from Mad Men or Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but there are a few lesser-known shows that really show us just how versatile this young actress is. So, if you are a fan of her work or just looking for something new to binge, I got you covered. Let’s take a look at the top 5 Kiernan Shipka TV shows that you have to watch.
1. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020)
Now, I’m sure you’ve heard of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, right? Maybe you remember the light-hearted, wacky 90s version with Melissa Joan Hart. But hold on — Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a whole different beast. And here’s the kicker: Kiernan Shipka absolutely owns the role of Sabrina Spellman.
Sabrina Spellman, a half-witch, half-mortal teen. That means she carries the weight of her magical powers with that of a mortal. Think dark magic, betrayal, and many emotional moments; you get hooked right here. She’s playing not just a witch, but a girl caught in the middle of a battle for her soul, between two worlds. Let me tell you: Shipka plays this stuff at such a depth you’d almost forget you are watching a supernatural teen drama.
What I love about the show is how Shipka portrays the growth of Sabrina. By the start, she is a very naive girl not knowing about her powers at all. But by the end? She is unstoppable, and you get to see all the steps involved in this transformation. It does not surprise me that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina went cult status, especially with the center of it all in Shipka. If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to walk the line between normal teenager and witch with serious consequences, this show nails it.
2. Mad Men (2007-2015)
Alright, so let’s rewind the tape for a second and discuss Mad Men. If you were around when this program conquered television, it was like the ultimate cool show in this very glamorous and shady 1960s ad world. But what made this series so remarkable? It had the characters, particularly the kids.
Kiernan Shipka as Sally Draper: She is Don Draper’s daughter in Mad Men. Imagine this: a young girl living through the unwinding of her parents’ marriage, trying to find sense in this adult world she’s stuck in. Sally is incredibly nuanced in Shipka’s portrayal. As Sally matures through the series, Shipka grows up with her, capturing subtlety as she finds her way growing up in this time when it seemed like everything was shifting: from expectations of society to family dynamics.
You see, what makes Shipka’s performance in Mad Men so remarkable is that she is capable of showing Sally’s vulnerability. She is not just this kid in the background – she is an observer of everything that goes on in her life, including all the chaos surrounding her parents’ lives. Seeing how she grows from being this innocent, sweet girl to someone who understands the darker sides of life is a real journey. And with her quiet strength, Shipka delivers one of the most compelling child-to-teen transitions I’ve seen on TV.
3. Riverdale (2021-2022)
Here’s a fun one: Kiernan Shipka’s Sabrina Spellman made an unexpected crossover into Riverdale in 2021. Now, if you’ve watched Riverdale, you know it’s not exactly the show for those looking for realism. It’s part teen drama, part supernatural weirdness. So, naturally, when Sabrina showed up, she brought a bit of magic to the mix.
But let me tell you, Shipka’s performance in Riverdale was a refreshing blast. Sabrina wasn’t just a guest star thrown in for a crossover stunt. She fit right into the strange, unpredictable world of Riverdale with ease. Whether she was casting spells or just offering guidance to the core crew of characters, Shipka added a supernatural flair that felt like the show needed.
What I love most about her role in Riverdale is how Shipka plays Sabrina with this quiet authority. She’s not the same wide-eyed witch from her own series. In Riverdale, Sabrina is a little darker, more mysterious, yet still unmistakably the same character who’s ready to take on anything the Riverdale crew throws at her. It’s definitely one of those “didn’t see that coming, but glad it happened” moments.
4. Feud: Bette and Joan (2017)
For those wanting a closer glimpse into classic Hollywood—sometimes toxic yet utterly captivating—a new version is finally arriving. While that period drama is currently a box-office smash around the globe, this will delve much further into reality when examining What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? to chronicle one of two fierce foes’ bitter disputes for legend among Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Here’s the list of confirmed actresses.
Shipka stars in the role of B.D. Hyman.
What I didn’t expect going into this was just how much Shipka’s role would stand out. She’s surrounded by powerhouse performances from Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon, yet she manages to shine. As B.D. Hyman, Shipka beautifully navigates the emotional turmoil of growing up under the weight of her mother’s fame, especially when Bette’s public persona starts to clash with the real woman. She tackles the inner turmoil of B.D. with great elegance while adding a human element to the Hollywood melodrama so big in the sky.
Here, what’s really intriguing is that Shipka succeeds in playing the “child of fame” without getting swallowed up by all the legends surrounding her. Seeing her in Feud really was a good indication of just how much she has evolved as an actress, which was really far more mature and complex than anything she had done previously.
5. Swimming with Sharks (2022)
If you haven’t checked out Swimming with Sharks yet, you’re in luck because you can discover just how bold Shipka will be. Lou in Swimming with Sharks is not at all the glamorous place we often hear of—a dark world where ambitious up-and-coming assistants in the city of Hollywood, climbing over, through, and indeed atop anyone else, fight tooth and nail to move higher up the corporate ladder by the means necessary to end it all at the pinnacle and still find their hearts being trampled in that game.
What makes this role so interesting is how Shipka flips the script. We’re used to seeing her as the innocent girl next door or the morally conflicted witch. But in Swimming with Sharks, Shipka embraces the cutthroat side of the industry. Lou is an incredibly layered character, and Shipka brings so much energy and raw emotion to the part. Watching her navigate the world of Hollywood manipulation and power struggles is a thrilling ride.
This role demonstrates that Shipka doesn’t hesitate to roll up her sleeves and plumb into the darker spaces of her art. Nothing at all could be likened to this role more than all the previous, but what makes it simply fabulous.
Conclusion: The Story Behind the Rising TV Star: Kiernan Shipka
It’s well over inspiration for Kiernan Shipka’s tale when all said and done of this particular day. She, from her breakout role in Mad Men as Sally Draper to darker, complex performances in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Swimming with Sharks, has always proven that she is indeed one of the most talented young actresses working today. She is great whether playing a witch, a daughter caught in the midst of family drama, or an ambitious assistant working her way through the studios of Hollywood; she plays with depth, nuance, and natural charm.
So, if you haven’t seen these shows yet, now’s the perfect time to jump into these series. Shipka’s diversity will keep you glued on your screens, and her performances will give you reasons to view her differently. Believe me, you won’t regret it.
