Katheryn Winnick from 'Vikings': where is she now?

Lagertha in 'Vikings'
A legendary figure
World known
Activist against Vladimir Putin
Ukrainian parents
Strong connection with Ukraine
Close relationship with the Zelenskys
She calls Zelensky
A strong profile in martial arts
Acting classes
Theater director
She began in the industry as a martial arts instructor
First TV role
Sporadic roles in big series
Cinema: small roles in romantic comedies
Bones
Big break: Lagertha
A spectacular job
Wu Assassins
'Flag Day' at the Cannes Film Festival
Big Sky
Katheryn Winnick: a present-day Lagertha
Lagertha in 'Vikings'

No matter how much work Katheryn Winnick has done in TV or film, the role in which she most made her mark was that of the fearless Lagertha in the renowned series 'Vikings'.

A legendary figure

In fact, the character's final fate was mourned by all fans of the History channel's story of struggle, love and courage. Since then, many have lost track of Katheryn Winnick.

World known

Canadian actress Katheryn Winnick became known around the world for playing one of the strongest female roles on television: Lagertha from the History Channel series 'Vikings' (2013-2020).

Activist against Vladimir Putin

While that series may have boosted her career, she hasn't stopped working since. What's more, she has even used her influence for a cause outside the film studio: the fight against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian parents

While having been born in Canada, Katheryn Winnick is the daughter of Ukrainian parents. Her mother tongue is Ukrainian and the actress only started speaking English at the age of eight.

Strong connection with Ukraine

Therefore, Winnick has converted her social media into a medium for defending her parents' country of origin. It is clear that she maintains a strong bond with Ukraine.

Photo: @katherynwinnick / Instagram

Close relationship with the Zelenskys

In fact, in February 2022, Katheryn Winnick actively participated in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. In the photo, the actress gives an interview during an event organized by Olena Zelenska, in Kyiv.

"We will fight to the death to protect what is ours"

"I am so proud that he (Volodymyr Zelensky) is the leader that we have," Katheryn Winnick said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "He understands our fight, that we are Ukrainian strong, and we will fight to the death to protect what is ours and is our home," she added.

She calls Zelensky "a true hero"

She continued: "I want the world to see… this is a true hero. This is a true leader who's bringing the world together and highlighting our Ukraine."

A strong profile in martial arts

Katheryn Winnick was born in Etobicoke, Ontario (Canada), on December 17, 1977. She started training in martial arts at age seven and earned her first black belt at age 13. By the age of 21, Winnick had already founded three Taekwondo schools.

Acting classes

At the same time, Katheryn already had an interest in the world of acting. She participated in theater classes at a community center in Toronto.

Theater director

She also directed school plays and won a theater and directing scholarship while attending the Richview Collegiate Institute in Toronto.

She began in the industry as a martial arts instructor

Still, Katheryn Winnick entered the film industry not as an actress but as a martial arts teacher for actors on film sets.

First TV role

This experience inspired her to pursue a professional acting career. In 1999, she was cast to play a guest character in the series 'Student Bodies'. She appeared in a total of five episodes.

Sporadic roles in big series

After that first experience, Katheryn Winnick participated in sporadic episodes of some series that were well known: 'Law & Order' (2002 and 2008), 'CSI: Miami' (2004), 'House' (2007, photo), and 'Nikita' (2011), for example.

Cinema: small roles in romantic comedies

In cinema, the actress also had small roles in films like 'Two Weeks Notice' (2002), '50 First Dates' (2004), and 'Love & Other Drugs' (2010).

Bones

In 2010, Winnick got her first steady job. Starting in the sixth season of the series 'Bones,' she played Hannah Burley for 11 episodes.

Big break: Lagertha

Then, finally, in 2013, the actress made her big leap to stardom. She played one of the protagonists of the series 'Vikings', a show that quickly became very popular.

Image: still from 'Vikings,' History Channel

A spectacular job

Initially, her character was a little overshadowed by the many strong men in the ensemble. But Katheryn Winnick did such a spectacular job that Lagertha ended up being the center where all the stories converged during the show's six seasons.

Image: still from 'Vikings,' History Channel

Wu Assassins

After her big break with 'Vikings,'  job offers have been coming in. In 2018, she not only acted but also co-executive produced the Netflix series 'Wu Assassins'.

Image: still from 'Wu Assassins,' Netflix

'Flag Day' at the Cannes Film Festival

In 2021, she returned to producing and acting, this time in the film 'Flag Day', directed by Sean Penn. It had its big premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where you can see her pose with Penn and his daughter Dylan, who also starred in the film.

Big Sky

She has also starred as Jenny Hoyt, the protagonist of the three seasons of the ABC series 'Big Sky' (2020-23).

Photo: Still from 'Big Sky,' ABC

Katheryn Winnick: a present-day Lagertha

Katheryn Winnick has demonstrated that she's not just a good fighter but also a great actress. We look forward to the next films and series she'll be appearing in!

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