Having already been part of some huge projects,Linda Cardellinihas officially been cast in a major horror franchise, and now is the perfect time to check out her elite animated series that you may not have realized she was in. Although she’d been part of several TV shows beforehand,the actress rose to fame in 1999’sFreaks and Geeks.
Since then, her career has only gotten better, with some ofCardellini’s best TV shows and movies, including huge hits likeMad Men,Brokeback Mountain,Dead To Me,Scooby-Doo, andGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Her resume indicates that comedy and drama are her most comfortable genres, making her upcoming horror project all the more interesting.

Cardellini will star inCrystal Lake, aFriday the 13thprequel show which will see her take on the role of Pamela Voorhees.Playing the mother of an iconic horror figure should highlight a new side of Cardellinithat is hard not to be excited by, but it’ll still struggle to top her most underrated role from a decade ago.
Linda Cardellini Stars As Wendy in Gravity Falls – What The Disney Classic TV Show Is About
Cardellini Has A Massive Role In One Of Disney’s Best Cartoons
Despite it not being her most recognizable role,Cardellini delivers a stellar performance in Disney’sGravity Falls, which is easily among her greatest projects. Having debuted in 2012,Gravity Fallsran for two seasons and was extremely popular, earning it a loyal audience in the process. As a result, the show has continued to age well, largely due to its fascinating premise.
The series follows a set of twins who spend the summer with their uncle in a town called Gravity Falls. While the location may seem normal at first, it quickly becomes clear that it is hiding many secrets, which the leading duo begins to uncover with the help of a journal alongside the show’s other main characters.

Its creative twists and charming personality helped cementGravity Fallsas one of Disney’s best-ever animated shows, a title it retains to this day. Additionally, the unique cast of characters also helps the project shine, with Cardellini’s Wendy Corduroy being a critical part of the plot.
How Gravity Falls Is A More Child-Friendly Companion To The Upcoming Crystal Lake
Whereas Crystal Lake Is Targeted Towards A More Mature Audience, Gravity Falls Is Suitable For All Ages
Given its ties to theFriday the 13thfranchise, there’s no doubt thatCrystal Lakewill be filled with mature content suited for an older audience, unlikeGravity Falls. Despite both being set in small towns, the similarities end here between Cardellini’s two shows, other than containing some magical elements.
Friday the 13thmay be a vintage slasher series, but there is no doubt Jason contains a few supernatural elements that make him so intimidating, suggestingCrystal Lakewill presumably continue this trope. The show seems destined to be bloody, violent, and dark, a complete contrast toGravity Falls.

The Disney cartoon is instead a more light-hearted and humorous show that still manages to contain a gripping plot.
The Disney cartoon is instead a more light-hearted and humorous show that still manages to contain a gripping plot. While there are certainly some emotional moments throughout the narrative,Gravity Falls' bright and colorful nature makes it extremely kid-friendly, with children and young adults being the intended audience.

Crystal Lakehas begun filming and is expected to debut in 2026, but no official release window has been confirmed.
Still, even those excited about seeing whichFriday the 13thquestionsCrystal Lakeanswers may enjoyGravity Fallsgiven its universal appeal, and it’s definitely a strong option for fans of Linda Cardellini.
Gravity Falls Is Still A Near-Perfect Show, Almost 10 Years Later
Despite Only Lasting 2 Seasons, The Series Completely Surpassed All Expectations
Disney has had no shortage of hit shows over the past few decades, butGravity Fallsremains one of the studio’s best. Even over a decade after it ended, it still holds up and is close to perfect due to its wonderful pacing and originality, with Alex Hirsch - the show’s creator - deciding to end the story after two excellent seasons.
Whereas other series often go way beyond their expiration date, particularly cartoons,Gravity Fallshad a clear start and end point, making it feel engaging throughout. There were very few filler moments or low points; instead, it maintained its quality throughout the three years it was on TV, building an almost flawless reputation.
The series also has some truly iconic characters, incredible animation, and plenty of clever clues and Easter Eggs that make it so rewatchable. As a result,Gravity Fallswill always be talked about positively, and despiteLinda Cardellinihaving a plethora of great projects to her name, very few compete with the animated classic.
Gravity Falls
Cast
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake explores the origins of the infamous Crystal Lake killer, set against the backdrop of a quiet, lakeside community. The series delves into the dark history and secrets that haunt the fictional town, intertwining past and present narratives. This prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise promises to shed light on the events leading to the horror saga, providing a deeper understanding of the eerie and sinister locale.