Katheryn Winnick, born on December 17, 1977, in Etobicoke, Ontario, is a Canadian actress, director, and producer.
She gained fame for her role as Lagertha in the series Vikings and has starred in Wu Assassins and Big Sky.
Winnick holds black belts in Taekwondo and Karate and has opened multiple martial arts schools.
She is also fluent in five languages and has directed episodes of Vikings and Wu Assassins.
Additionally, Winnick founded a production company, Kat Scratch Inc., to promote female-led stories.
Siblings
Katheryn’s older brother, Markjan Winnick, is an actor and producer. He is best known for his role as King Agantyr in the TV series Vikings.
Markjan has also appeared in other TV shows and films, such as Murdoch Mysteries and The Kennedys. He has worked with his sister Katheryn on several projects, including Vikings.
Adam Winnick is Katheryn’s younger brother. He had a minor role in the TV series Vikings, playing a character named Thorvald.
Adam is also an actor and has appeared in other TV shows and films. He is known for his support and close relationship with his sister Katheryn.
Daria Winnick is Katheryn’s younger sister. Unlike her siblings, Daria has not pursued a career in acting.
However, she is known to be very supportive of Katheryn’s acting career and often attends her sister’s events and premieres.
Daria and Katheryn share a close sisterly bond and often post pictures together on social media.
The Winnick siblings share a strong family bond and have supported each other’s endeavors, with Markjan and Adam appearing in projects alongside their sister Katheryn.
Career
Winnick began her acting career in the late 1990s, making her television debut in the series Student Bodies.
She quickly gained recognition through guest roles on shows like Relic Hunter and The Twilight Zone.
Winnick’s early film work includes appearances in Biohazardous and The Darkroom.
Her major breakthrough came in 2013 when she was cast as Lagertha in the historical drama series Vikings, created by Michael Hirst.
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The show aired on the History Channel and became a cultural phenomenon, receiving critical acclaim.
Lagertha, a fierce shieldmaiden and the wife of the legendary Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok, quickly became a fan favorite.
Winnick’s portrayal of Lagertha showcased her acting range and physical prowess, earning her several award nominations, including the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Winnick’s extensive background in martial arts has played a significant role in her career.
She holds black belts in Taekwondo and Karate and has trained in other disciplines, including Jiu-Jitsu and Krav Maga.
This expertise not only enhances her performances in action-oriented roles but also allows her to perform her own stunts, adding authenticity to her characters.
Winnick’s martial arts skills were particularly highlighted in Vikings, where she performed many of her own fight scenes.
In addition to her acting career, Winnick has ventured into directing. She made her directorial debut in Vikings, directing the episode The Best Laid Plans in Season 6.
This experience allowed her to explore storytelling from a different perspective and further develop her skills behind the camera.
Winnick continued to direct in other projects, including episodes of the Netflix series Wu Assassins, which features a blend of martial arts and supernatural elements.
Awards and accolades
Winnick has been recognized for her exceptional acting talent with several awards and nominations throughout her career.
Her most notable accolade is her role as Lagertha in the critically acclaimed series Vikings, which earned her multiple award nominations, including a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2015.
In 2012, Winnick won the Best Actress award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival for her performance in the film Children of the Air.
She has also received nominations from the Canadian Screen Awards, Women’s Image Network Awards, and Golden Maple Awards for her work on Vikings, showcasing her talent and versatility as an actress.
In 2020, Winnick made her directorial debut in Vikings, directing the episode Valhalla Can Wait in the show’s sixth season.
This achievement earned her the Best Director award at the 2020 WIN Awards, further demonstrating her skills both in front of and behind the camera.