Maria Sten Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Height, Movies & TV Shows, Parents, Siblings

Maria Sten-Knudsen, known professionally as Maria Sten, is a Danish actress, writer, director, and former beauty pageant titleholder, celebrated for her role as Frances Neagley in the Amazon Prime series Reacher.

With a career that spans acting in television and film, writing for acclaimed series like Big Sky, and directing short films, Sten has established herself as a multifaceted talent in Hollywood.

Profile

• Full Name: Maria Sten-Knudsen
• Stage Name: Maria Sten
• Born: 29, October 1989
• Age: 35 years old
• Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Nationality: Danish
• Occupation: Actress, Writer, Director, Producer
• Height: 1.78m
• Parents: Nina Sten-Knudsen, Mr. Sten
• Siblings: 8
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $5.2 million

Early Life and Education

Maria Sten-Knudsen was born on October 29, 1989, in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Nina Sten-Knudsen, a renowned Danish painter with Swedish heritage, and a Congolese father, referred to as Mr. Sten, whose details remain private.

She grew up in a large family with eight siblings, including one brother, four sisters, two step-sisters, and one unrelated sister, though she was primarily raised with one older sister.

Specific details about her formal education are not publicly available, though she majored in English and has cited her proficiency in multiple languages, including Danish, French, and German, learned during her school years.

Her ethnicity is Danish, Swedish, and Congolese, and her religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Maria Sten-Knudsen began her career as a professional dancer and model, gaining early recognition as Miss Denmark Universe 2008 and placing in the top seven at Miss Supertalent of the World 2011.

Her transition to acting started with a small role in the TV series The Doctors in 2012, followed by appearances in films like Straight Outta Compton (2015).

Her breakthrough came in 2018 when she landed the lead role of Jillian Hope Hodgson in Channel Zero: The Dream Door, a horror anthology series, earning praise for bringing emotional depth to a surreal narrative.

This role showcased her ability to navigate complex characters, setting the stage for her rise in the industry.

Sten’s acting career gained further traction with her portrayal of Liz Tremayne in the DC Universe series Swamp Thing (2019), where her grounded performance as a journalist added heart to the fantastical narrative.

Her most prominent role to date is Frances Neagley in Reacher (2022–present), where she plays a sharp, tough former military investigator alongside Alan Ritchson.

The series’ success, dominating Prime Video’s charts, has elevated her profile, with a confirmed Neagley spin-off in production as of 2025.

Beyond acting, Sten’s writing career flourished with her selection for the 2017 Black List x WIF Episodic Lab and her inclusion on the 2018 Tracking Board’s Young & Hungry List, recognizing her as one of Hollywood’s top new writers.

She wrote two episodes of ABC’s Big Sky and has penned short films like When It Burns (2016) and Wild Things Run Free (2017).

Sten’s filmmaking endeavors include writing, directing, and producing short films, with her debut When It Burns premiering at the Uptown Short Film Festival and LA Shorts Fest in 2016.

Her work emphasizes representation and “stories that matter,” reflecting her commitment to diverse narratives.

Her role in Reacher Season 3 and the upcoming Neagley spin-off, coupled with her ongoing writing projects, including a feature film, highlight her versatility.

Sten’s ability to balance acting, writing, and directing, combined with her advocacy for inclusivity, positions her as a significant influence in modern entertainment, inspiring creatives to break boundaries.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @mariasten
• Twitter Handle: @Maria_Sten

Personal Life

Maria Sten-Knudsen is unmarried and keeps her personal life private, with no confirmed romantic partner.

In 2019, rumors surfaced about a relationship with her Swamp Thing co-star Crystal Reed after Reed referred to Sten as her “girlfriend” on Instagram, but neither confirmed the speculation, and the relationship is considered unverified.

Sten has no children and resides primarily in Wyoming, with frequent trips to Los Angeles for work.

Filmography

• Straight Outta Compton (2015)
• Persuasion (2015)
• Channel Zero: The Dream Door (2018)
• Swamp Thing (2019)
• Emmanuel and Me (2019)
• Reacher (2022–present)

Net Worth

Maria Sten-Knudsen has an estimated net worth of $5.2 million.

Her wealth is primarily derived from her acting roles in high-profile series like Reacher, Swamp Thing, and Channel Zero: The Dream Door, as well as her writing contributions to Big Sky.

Additional income stems from her work as a director and producer of short films and her early career in modeling and pageantry.