Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless, the New Zealand actress and filmmaker best known for her iconic role in “Xena: Warrior Princess,” has built a career that stretches far beyond the sword and sandals drama that made her a global star in the 1990s. She rose to international prominence as Xena, a character who became a cultural touchstone for female empowerment on television.

After “Xena: Warrior Princess” ended in 2001, Lawless continued to reinvent herself with high-profile roles across television and film. She appeared in “Battlestar Galactica” as the conflicted journalist D’Anna Biers and later in the Starz historical epic “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” and “Spartacus: Vengeance,” where she portrayed the calculating Lucretia. In comedy, she found success with a recurring role on “Parks and Recreation,” playing Diane Lewis, and took darker turns in “Salem” and “Ash vs Evil Dead.”

In recent years, Lawless has become equally known for her work behind the camera. Her debut documentary, “Never Look Away,” which she co-wrote and directed, premiered at Sundance in 2024. The film chronicles the life and daring work of New Zealand-born CNN war camerawoman Margaret Moth. Critics praised Lawless’s eye as a filmmaker and her ability to capture Moth’s uncompromising spirit. She also appeared at SXSW Sydney to discuss the project, underscoring her shift into filmmaking.

Lawless continues to lead onscreen in “My Life Is Murder,” which premiered in 2019 and follows her as Alexa Crowe, a sharp-witted private detective in Auckland. The crime drama has become a steady success for Acorn TV and is currently filming its fifth season, set to debut in 2025. That same year, she will reprise her role as Lucretia in “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” a new chapter in the long-running franchise. She also marked the 30th anniversary of “Xena: Warrior Princess” in 2025, appearing at fan events in New Zealand to celebrate the series’ enduring legacy.

Her voice work has been heard in a variety of animated projects, including “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “The Spine of Night” and “Star Wars Resistance.”

Beyond acting and directing, Lawless has long been committed to activism. She serves on the board of trustees of the StarShip Foundation, which supports the Starship Children’s Health hospital in Auckland. She has also been a vocal advocate for environmental issues, working with Greenpeace as a climate ambassador and famously participating in a 2012 protest against oil drilling in New Zealand.

Now in her 50s, Lawless has described this stage of her career as one of immense creative power. Balancing her celebrated acting career with new directorial ventures, she remains a defining presence both in front of the camera and behind it.