Katheryn Winnick

Katheryn Winnick was born on December 17, 1977, in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, and is of Ukrainian descent. She spoke Ukrainian as her first language until the age of eight. Her early life included extensive training in martial arts, achieving a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a second-degree black belt in Karate by a young age. By 21, she had established three Taekwondo schools. While pursuing a degree in kinesiology at York University, Toronto, Winnick also taught Taekwondo and self-defense to actors. This experience provided her initial exposure to the film industry, inspiring her transition into acting. She honed her craft at the William Esper Studio.

Winnick’s career began with television appearances, including a recurring role in “Student Bodies.” She made guest appearances in numerous series such as “House,” “The Glades,” “Law & Order,” “CSI,” and “Criminal Minds.” A significant milestone came with her recurring role as Hannah Burley in “Bones” from 2010 to 2011. Her breakthrough role was as Lagertha in the History Channel’s “Vikings,” which she starred in from 2013 to 2020. This role earned her critical acclaim, including a 2019 WIN Award for Best Actress in a Drama series and nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards and the Canadian Screen Awards. Beyond acting, Winnick made her directorial debut during the sixth and final season of “Vikings.” She also directed an episode of “Wu Assassins” in 2019, where she served as the female lead and Co-EP.

Her filmography includes diverse roles, appearing alongside actors such as Al Pacino in “Stand Up Guys” (2012), Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba in “The Dark Tower” (2017), and Liam Neeson in “The Marksman” (2021). Winnick also produced and starred in Sean Penn’s “Flag Day” (2021), which premiered at Cannes. More recently, she led the ABC crime drama series “Big Sky” as Jenny Hoyt from 2020 to 2023. Through her production company, Kat Scratch Inc., Winnick is developing various film and television projects, focusing on literary adaptations and inspirational narratives. She also founded The Winnick Foundation to provide humanitarian assistance to women and children globally.