1. Overview
Priah Nicole Ferguson is an American actress born on October 1, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Erica Sinclair in the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, a character she initially played in a recurring capacity before being promoted to a main cast member. Ferguson began her acting career at a young age, appearing in various local and independent productions before her breakthrough on the streaming platform. Her career extends across film, television, and voice acting, with notable roles in films like The Oath and The Curse of Bridge Hollow, and voice work in animated series such as My Dad the Bounty Hunter. Beyond her acting endeavors, Ferguson is also involved in philanthropic efforts, including her role as a spokesperson for United Way of Atlanta and advocacy for environmental sustainability through initiatives promoting thrift shopping.
2. Early Life
Priah Nicole Ferguson was born on October 1, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. Her parents are John and Adjua Ferguson; her father, John, works as a design director, and her mother, Adjua, is a graphic designer. She has one younger sister named Jayda.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Ferguson attends public school and is an active member of her school's cheerleading squad.
3. Career
Priah Ferguson's professional journey in the acting industry began in her early childhood and quickly expanded to include significant roles in both television and film.
3.1. Early Work and Motivations
Ferguson was motivated to begin acting after watching the films Crooklyn and Daddy's Little Girls. In 2015, she started her career by acting in locally-produced short and independent films. Her television debut came in 2016 with appearances on the FX Networks show Atlanta and the American Civil War drama Mercy Street.
3.2. Breakthrough Role in Stranger Things
In 2017, Ferguson was cast in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things as Erica Sinclair, the younger sister of Lucas Sinclair, portrayed by Caleb McLaughlin. Her character quickly became a fan favorite due to her witty remarks and strong personality. Initially a recurring character in season two, Ferguson's performance led to her promotion to a main cast member for season three and subsequent seasons. She has performed various "cool stunts" as part of her role and is expected to appear in the series' fifth and final season.
3.3. Other Acting Credits
Beyond her prominent role in Stranger Things, Ferguson has accumulated a diverse range of acting credits across film, television, and voice acting.
3.3.1. Film
In 2018, Ferguson appeared in the film The Oath. She also starred in the 2022 Halloween comedy The Curse of Bridge Hollow, which was formerly titled Boo!, where she played Sydney Gordon alongside Marlon Wayans. Her early film work includes short films such as Suga Water (2015), Deus ex Machina (2016), Ends (2016), and La Vie Magnifique De Charlie (2017).
3.3.2. Television
In addition to Stranger Things, Ferguson's television appearances include roles in Coffee X Cream (2016), Daytime Divas (2017), and Bluff City Law (2019). Since 2022, she has had a recurring voice role as Bailey Carter in the animated series Hamster & Gretel.
3.3.3. Voice Acting
In 2023, Ferguson lent her voice to the character Lisa in the animated series My Dad the Bounty Hunter, marking her contributions to the field of voice acting.
4. Philanthropy and Advocacy
Ferguson is actively involved in charitable work and social initiatives. In 2015, she was selected as a spokesperson for United Way of Atlanta, highlighting her early commitment to community service. In 2022, she partnered with ThredUp to promote thrift shopping as a form of environmental advocacy, encouraging sustainable fashion choices and raising awareness about the impact of fast fashion.
5. Personal Life
In her free time, Ferguson enjoys recreational activities such as bowling or attending her younger sister's volleyball matches. She also has a variety of pets, including a poodle and a bearded dragon. In 2019, Ferguson participated in a public event by throwing the first pitch in a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres.
6. Filmography
6.1. Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Suga Water | Young Kai | Short film |
| 2016 | Deus ex Machina | Little Girl | Short film |
| 2016 | Ends | Charlie | Short film |
| 2017 | La Vie Magnifique De Charlie | Young Brandy | |
| 2018 | The Oath | Hardy Fontaine | |
| 2022 | The Curse of Bridge Hollow | Sydney Gordon |
6.2. Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Coffee X Cream | Michelle | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Atlanta | Asia | Episode: "Streets on Lock" |
| 2017-present | Stranger Things | Erica Sinclair | Recurring role (season 2); main (seasons 3-present) |
| 2017 | Mercy Street | Girl | Episode: "One Equal Temper" |
| 2017 | Daytime Divas | Fatima | Episode: "Lunch is on Us" |
| 2019 | Bluff City Law | Erika | Episode: "When the Levee Breaks" |
| 2022-present | Hamster & Gretel | Bailey Carter (voice) | Recurring role |
| 2023 | My Dad the Bounty Hunter | Lisa (voice) | Main role |