Katherine Langford

Katherine Langford, born on April 29, 1996, in Perth, Western Australia, developed an early interest in music and performance. She began voice lessons in 2005 and pursued classical, jazz, and contemporary vocal training. During her time at Perth Modern School, where she studied music and drama, she also excelled as a nationally ranked swimmer. Initially interested in medicine and politics, a Lady Gaga concert in 2012 inspired her to focus on music and piano. She wrote and shared original songs, including “Young and Stupid,” an anti-suicide song penned in 2013 after local tragedies. After graduating high school, despite rejection from multiple acting schools for being too young, Langford committed to becoming an actress. She enrolled in acting classes and workshops in Perth from 2014 to 2015 at the Principal Academy of Dance & Theatre Arts and trained at Nicholson’s Academy of Screen Acting, appearing in local productions such as Godspell and Evita.

Langford’s career began with roles in independent short films, including “Daughter” (2016), which premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. A significant turning point came with her casting as Hannah Baker in the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” (2017–2018), a role for which she received widespread critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award nomination. Her portrayal involved extensive research, including consultations with sexual assault awareness campaigns and adolescent psychiatrists. Following her breakout role, Langford expanded into feature films, appearing in “Love, Simon” (2018) and the ensemble mystery “Knives Out” (2019), which earned a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Acting Ensemble. In 2020, she took on lead roles in the dark comedy film “Spontaneous” and the Netflix series “Cursed,” further establishing her versatility and presence in both film and television.

Her career progression continued with diverse projects and recognitions. In October 2022, she was cast in the Starz television series “The Venery of Samantha Bird,” though production was halted due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Most recently, on September 23, 2024, Langford made her stage debut as Sally Bowles in the West End musical “Cabaret” at the Playhouse Theatre, demonstrating her capabilities across different performance mediums. She has consistently sought roles that allow for detailed character exploration, contributing to her reputation as a thoughtful and impactful performer in the entertainment industry.