Katheryn Winnick

Early life and education

Katheryn Winnick was born on December 17, 1977, in Toronto, Ontario, into a family of Ukrainian heritage. Ukrainian was her first language, and she did not begin speaking English until she was eight years old. She has two brothers, who would later make appearances on her television series Vikings. From a young age, Winnick demonstrated a strong aptitude for martial arts, beginning her training in Taekwondo at the age of seven. She earned her first black belt by the time she was 13, a dedication that would shape her future career both on and off screen.

While still a teenager, Winnick's entrepreneurial spirit led her to open three Taekwondo schools by the age of 21. She balanced this venture with her academic pursuits, eventually enrolling at York University in Toronto. There, she earned a degree in kinesiology, a field that complemented her physical expertise. To support herself through university, she taught Taekwondo and self defence to fellow actors. Her early artistic interests were also nurtured at her local community centre and at Richview Collegiate Institute, where she directed plays and won a scholarship for drama and directing.

Career beginnings and breakthrough

Winnick's entry into the film industry was unconventional, beginning not as an actress but as a martial arts instructor for actors on movie sets. This experience on set inspired her to pursue acting professionally. Her first significant acting role was as a series regular on the television show Student Bodies. Notable guest roles included appearances on House, Law & Order and its spin off Criminal Intent, and all three CSI series.

Her film career began with roles in various genres, including the horror film Amusement and the thriller Choose. She appeared in supporting parts in major studio films such as Failure to Launch, Love & Other Drugs, and Killers. A career turning point came in 2009 when she starred in the comedy drama Cold Souls, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2010, she landed a recurring role on the Fox series Bones, playing Hannah Burley, a war correspondent and love interest for the protagonist Seeley Booth. This role provided her with wider recognition and set the stage for her defining opportunity.

• 2009: Starred in Cold Souls, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
• 2010 to 2011: Played recurring character Hannah Burley on the series Bones.
• 2011: Guest starred on the CW spy drama Nikita.
• 2013: Appeared in the films A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III and The Art of the Steal.

Major television roles

Winnick's career reached a new level of international fame in 2013 when she was cast as Lagertha in the History Channel's epic drama Vikings. Lagertha, a legendary shieldmaiden and ruler, became one of the series' most beloved and enduring characters over its six season run until 2020. Winnick's physical prowess and commanding presence were perfectly suited to the role, which required extensive combat and stunt work. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase. In a move reflecting her growing behind the camera skills, she also directed an episode of Vikings in its final season.

Following Vikings, Winnick continued to secure leading roles in television. In 2019, she starred as Christine 'C.G.' Gavin, a tough as nails homicide detective, in the Netflix supernatural crime series Wu Assassins. For this series, she also stepped into the director's chair for one episode. Shortly after, she was cast as Jenny Hoyt, a private investigator and former police officer, in the ABC crime drama Big Sky. She starred in the series from its premiere in 2020 through its conclusion in 2023, further cementing her status as a leading actress in action oriented dramatic roles.

• 2013 to 2020: Starred as Lagertha in the History Channel series Vikings.
• 2019: Starred as Christine 'C.G.' Gavin in the Netflix series Wu Assassins.
• 2019: Directed the Wu Assassins episode 'Legacy'.
• 2020: Directed the Vikings episode 'Valhalla Can Wait'.
• 2020 to 2023: Starred as Jenny Hoyt in the ABC series Big Sky.

Film and other work

Alongside her television success, Winnick has maintained a presence in feature films. In 2013, she appeared in the comedy A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III and the crime comedy The Art of the Steal. She later starred in the 2019 Netflix action thriller Polar, based on the graphic novel. In 2021, she appeared alongside Liam Neeson in the action thriller The Marksman. Her work extends beyond traditional film and television, including a foray into video game voice acting. In 2017, she was revealed to be the voice and likeness for Marie Fischer in the Nazi Zombies mode of the popular video game Call of Duty: WWII, a project announced at San Diego Comic-Con that year.

Her filmography demonstrates a consistent preference for roles that involve physicality and strength, a direct reflection of her personal training and background. While not as prolific in film as in television, her movie roles often complement the tough, capable characters she has become known for playing on the small screen. This cross medium presence has helped solidify her image as an actress capable of anchoring both long form serialized stories and self contained cinematic narratives. Her early work includes roles in films like Stand Up Guys and appearances that built her industry profile before her major television breakthrough.

Philanthropy and public life

Winnick holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States, having obtained American citizenship as noted in a 2015 interview. Her Ukrainian heritage has played a significant role in her philanthropic activities. In March 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Winnick co founded The Winnick Foundation with her mother. The charity was established to raise funds addressing humanitarian needs in Ukraine.

This ban highlights the public and political dimension of her charitable work. The Winnick Foundation represents a personal commitment to her family's country of origin, leveraging her public profile to support relief efforts. Her journey from a Ukrainian speaking child in Toronto to an internationally recognized actress using her platform for humanitarian causes illustrates a deep connection to her roots that extends beyond her artistic career. Her brothers have also been involved in her professional life, appearing in episodes of Vikings.

• 2015: Confirmed she holds dual Canadian and American citizenship.
• March 2022: Co founded The Winnick Foundation with her mother to aid Ukraine.
• November 2022: Banned from entering Russia by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Professional: Her brothers have made appearances on the series Vikings.

Selected filmography

Katheryn Winnick has built a substantial body of work across television and film. She is known for her starring roles in the television series Vikings, Wu Assassins, and Big Sky. She has also appeared in many films, including Amusement, Choose, A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III, The Art of the Steal, Polar, and The Marksman. Her career includes both leading parts in long running series and supporting roles in feature films.

In addition to her acting roles, Winnick has directed an episode for Wu Assassins and an episode for Vikings. Her work in the video game Call of Duty: WWII as Marie Fischer also represents a notable part of her diverse career portfolio. She has guest starred in numerous television shows, including Person of Interest, Criminal Minds, and The Glades. She also guest starred in House, Law & Order, CSI, and Nikita, which contributed to her career development.

Questions about Katheryn Winnick

What is Katheryn Winnick best known for?

Katheryn Winnick is best known for her starring role as the shieldmaiden Lagertha on the History Channel television series Vikings, which aired from 2013 to 2020. This role brought her international recognition and acclaim. She is also known for leading roles in the Netflix series Wu Assassins and the ABC drama Big Sky. Her portrayal of strong, physically capable characters is a consistent feature of her career.

Is Katheryn Winnick really a martial artist?

Yes, Katheryn Winnick is a highly trained martial artist. She began studying Taekwondo at age seven and earned her first black belt by the age of 13. By 21, she had opened three Taekwondo schools. She holds a third degree black belt and taught martial arts to actors while studying at university. This background has been integral to many of her acting roles, which often involve complex stunt work.

Where is Katheryn Winnick from?

Katheryn Winnick was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is of Ukrainian descent and spoke Ukrainian as her first language, learning English only when she was eight years old. She attended Richview Collegiate Institute in Toronto and later graduated from York University with a degree in kinesiology. She also studied acting at the William Esper Studio in the United States.

Has Katheryn Winnick directed any television episodes?

Yes, Katheryn Winnick has directed television episodes. She made her directorial debut with an episode of the Netflix series Wu Assassins in 2019, titled 'Legacy'. She later directed an episode of the final season of Vikings in 2020, called 'Valhalla Can Wait'. This expansion into directing demonstrates her growing involvement in the creative process behind the camera.

What is The Winnick Foundation?

The Winnick Foundation is a charitable organization co founded by Katheryn Winnick and her mother in March 2022. It was established to raise funds for humanitarian needs in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. The foundation is a personal initiative for Winnick, reflecting her Ukrainian heritage. Her involvement led to her being banned from entering Russia by the Russian government in late 2022.

What other TV shows has Katheryn Winnick been in?

Beyond her starring roles, Katheryn Winnick has guest starred in many popular television series. Her notable appearances include a recurring role as Hannah Burley on Bones. She has also guest starred in episodes of House, The Glades, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Criminal Minds, Person of Interest, and Nikita. She has appeared across the CSI franchise in CSI, CSI: NY, and CSI: Miami. This extensive list shows her work in numerous procedural dramas and other series throughout her career.

Sources and further reading

• Katheryn Winnick (Wikipedia)
• Katheryn Winnick Movies & TV Shows List (rottentomatoes.com)
• Katheryn Winnick (unitedagents.co.uk)
• Katheryn Winnick: Movies, TV, and Bio (primevideo.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-02.