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Lagertha a trailblazer

Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha in Vikings. Picture: Supplied

Katheryn Winnick got a few words of warning when she signed on to play Lagertha in Vikings, the first scripted series from the History Channel and the highest-rated drama on SBS for the past two years.

"I was told this is a male-dominated network and the male demographic is stronger than female. This is a show about Vikings and you are just the wife. I remember thinking that was not the way I was going to play it," Winnick says. "I had no idea that this character would end up being so complex and diverse."

You wouldn't think it possible that the woman - who looks more suited to a runway than a fjord - would make her character a fierce shield maiden that is as tough and determined as any of the males around her.

In season three, beginning tomorrow, she continues to play the part with the same grit and determination. Lagertha has become a major player in the tale of Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and the other Vikings who explored and plundered the world in the Dark Ages.

"I am happy to see the response of the female viewers," Winnick says. "There's a huge fan base of young girls who look up to Lagertha. Mothers watch the show with their daughters. And guys are like 'I want to marry a chick like that'."

The "chick" behind the role is a Canadian of Ukrainian decent whose credits include Bones, A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III and The Art of Stealing.

At the same time as she was working on her acting skills, Winnick was training in martial arts.

The toughness Winnick brings to the role was the reason she had trouble with a storyline in season two about Lagertha being in an abusive marriage.

"I had a hard time as an actress justifying why Lagertha would be in a relationship like that," Winnick says.

"I remember calling (series creator) Michael Hirst and asking him if he really saw Lagertha doing that. He had an interesting response. She might have done it for her son or other reasons. It wouldn't be realistic if Lagertha was this all-mighty person.

"How I want to play her is to show the vulnerabilities. And show the complexity of not everything being perfectly nice."

Fans didn't complain about the relationship and were happy with the way she finally fought back. A few fans told her they were so inspired by Lagertha they were able to leave their own abusive husbands. Those are the reactions that remind Winnick she's playing a woman who lived centuries ago but in many ways is contemporary.

"Lagertha is a very modern woman. She has to struggle with being a woman in power and how she gains respect. And, there are certain elements with fertility, infidelity by her husband, being a single woman," Winnick says.

The 10-episode third season starts with Ragnar leading his people to an uncertain fate on the shores of Wessex. King Ecbert (Linus Roache) has made many promises and it remains to be seen if he will keep them.

Winnick says Lagertha is in a different place during the third season, marked by challenges with new people in her life.

Vikings airs Friday at 8.30pm on SBS1.