Canadian actress, director and producer Katheryn Winnick starred in the critically acclaimed, Emmy award-winning television series Vikings, produced by MGM and The History Channel. In addition to her lead role on Vikings, an episode directed by Winnick debuted in 2020. Entertainment Weekly declared that her role as "Lagertha may be the most exciting feminist character on TV." Her portrayal of the fierce shieldmaiden has garnered her several impressive accolades including a Women's Image Network award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2018, a nomination for a Critic's Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Performance by a Lead Dramatic Actress (2014), Best Actress in a Drama Series by the Women's Image Network nominations in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and a Golden Maple Award nomination for Best Actress in a TV Series. In addition to these prestigious nominations, Katheryn received the Serendipity Film's Award of Excellence at the Banff World Media Festival in 2015. She was also chosen to be a jury member for the 2019 Cannes Series festival. A triple threat, Winnick wrapped the new Netflix series Wu Assassins that she stars in, co-executive produced and directed an episode of the series in 2019. In addition, she starred in Polar, based on the action noir comic series of the same name that premiered on Netflix. In 2017, Winnick starred in the adaptation of the Stephen King novel, The Dark Tower, starring Academy Award-winner Matthew McConaughey and Golden Globe winner Idris Elba. Winnick's other credits include roles in such movies as Love & Other Drugs with Jake Gyllenhaal, Killers starring Ashton Kutcher, as well as Stand Up Guys with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin. She also starred in the Paul Giamatti comedy drama Cold Souls, which received a best ensemble performance nomination in the 2009 Gotham Independent Film Awards. Off the big screen, Katheryn is no stranger to TV and in addition to Vikings has appeared in numerous television series including roles in Person of Interest, House, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order, and a notable recurring role on the hit prime time series Bones. In 2015, Winnick was named as the brand ambassador for luxury Swiss watch company Raymond Weil and is the face of their 2016 elegant and feminine Shine Collection. Katheryn proudly endorses the brand of watches, which celebrates both the strength and beauty of the active modern woman worldwide. She can also be seen in the hit video game Call of Duty. In addition to acting, Katheryn Winnick is an accomplished martial artist who holds a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a second-degree black belt in Karate. By twenty-one she had founded and owned three martial arts schools. After completing her university education at York University, Toronto, Katheryn went on to successfully pursue an acting career in New York and subsequently Los Angeles.