Playing a legendary Viking shield maiden that can swing an axe better than most men might intimidate some actresses—but not Katheryn Winnick.

The Canadian actress stars as Lagertha on the wildy popular History Channel series Vikings, a role that allows her to show off her acting chops and her accomplished martial arts background.

She’s also been in a number of critically acclaimed films, most recently The Dark Tower alongside Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba. She holds a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a second-degree black belt in Karate, according to IMDb.

Winnick is the definition of a badass—both on- and off-screen—and her already-impressive film and television career is only just starting to heat up. Here are 13 jaw-dropping photos of the fiercely talented Winnick.

13 stunning photos of badass ‘Vikings’ actress Katheryn Winnick

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Winnick attends the fifth annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, on May 31, 2015.

Winnick attends the Season 2 U.K. premiere of Vikings at The Mayfair Hotel in London, England, on Feb. 13, 2014.

Winnick attends the special screening of Columbia Pictures and MRC’s The Dark Tower at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on July 31, 2017.

Winnick attends the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar party hosted by Graydon Carter in West Hollywood, CA, on March 2, 2014.

Winnick attends The Dark Tower New York premiere on July 31, 2017.

Winnick attends the 22nd annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA, on Dec. 11, 2016.

Winnick attends History’s Vikings ATAS panel at Leonard Goldenson Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on May 13, 2014.

Winnick attends the 2014 A+E Networks Upfront in New York City on May 8, 2014.

Winnick attends the closing ceremony during the 7th Rome Film Festival at Auditorium Parco Della Musica in Rome, Italy, on Nov. 17, 2012.

Winnick poses for a portrait during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival held at the Film Lounge Media Center in Park City, UT, on Jan. 19, 2009.

Winnick is seen at a fan meet-and-greet at Comic-Con in San Diego, CA, on July 25, 2014.

Winnick attends the Valentino show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2017/2018 in Paris, France, on March 5, 2017.

Winnick attends the Season 2 U.K. premiere of Vikings at The Mayfair Hotel in London, England, on Feb. 13, 2014.

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