Jacket & Trousers by S C H A I
Heels by Kurt Geiger

Katherine McNamara is an actress, singer, and dancer with an impressive repertoire. She is best known for her roles in “Shadowhunters,” “Arrow,” “Mazerunner,” and most recently “Walker: Independence”. Walker,” follows Katherine McNamara’s character Abby Walker through her journey as a widow seeking revenge for the murder of her husband. Behind the scenes, McNamara is an advocate for women and children. She is an ambassador for Girl Up and a spokesperson for Stomp Out Bullying. Currently, you can see Kat McNamara as Terry in “Charlie Day’s Fool’s Paradise” out now in theaters.

Hat by Ozen
Top & Trousers by Bethel Helena
Heels by FRANCO SARTO

What drew you to the entertainment industry?
I ended up in this industry quite by accident. In fact, I wanted to be a developmental economist for most of my childhood. However, I was a ballet dancer from the time I was 2 or 3, but only as a hobby. I never considered it as a career until I bumped into a family friend at the grocery store who needed a dancer for a community theater show they were directing. I was the kid who would try anything so I was excited at the thrill of the unknown world of theater before me. I fell in love with the complete process. Then, when I stepped on stage on opening night, I had a moment of clarity that hit me like a brick wall, I knew in that moment I was put on this earth to tell stories. I wanted nothing more than to find a way to continue to be a part of the magic of creatives of all kinds and talents coming together to create a whole greater than the sum of their parts, to step outside of reality, and tell a story. Fortunately, I was able to do just that - and I am so grateful for that chance encounter.

Who was your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspirations have always been the women in my family. From my earliest memories, I have been surrounded by strong, kind, intelligent women who not only are passionate, driven, career women but also are the most caring mothers, sisters, friends, aunts, cousins, etc. I was and still am so grateful to have had them as an example to present to me the idea that it was never a question of “career or family.” With their tireless ambition and boundless love, these women have shown me by example and experience that if you are willing to work hard enough for it, it is possible for you to create the life you desire - no matter how unorthodox or impossible it may seem.

**Left:**
Jumpsuit by Bethel Helena
Heels by Kurt Geiger
**Right:**
Blazer by MARCELLA
Blouse & Trousers by LILYSILK
Heels by Azazie

How do you prepare for a role? Are there any specific methods or techniques you use?
Yes and no. I would say that generally speaking, yes. I do everything I can to explore a character, the environment in the physical and societal sense, relationships, the internal life, the person’s past and internal life, anything and everything. However, the ways in which I go about exploring and attempting to access a character are always specific to who they are and what feels right to best approach this person in this world. This is one of my favorite aspects of my job - I get to be a chameleon - to transform physically, emotionally, mentally, and otherwise to become these different individuals and see how and why they make the choices they make.

Which project has been the most challenging for you? Which has been your favorite?
This is always an interesting question to me. I have always loved being a student and, to me, being a creative and an actor specifically requires one to constantly be learning whatever is required to bring the character to life and tell the story fully. This could be a skill, a language, a lifestyle, an accent, how to put on a specific piece of wardrobe, or how to survive a day on set in a particular environment to name a few As such, each job brings with it its own challenges and I find it difficult to rank one above the others. Each one has given me the opportunity to grow and develop as a professional, an artist, and a person.

**Left:**
Top & Trousers by LILYSILK
Corset by SOLANGEL
Bangles by Gabriel New York
**Right:**
Jumpsuit by Bethel Helena
Heels by Kurt Geiger

Can you tell us about your role as Abby Walker in Walker: Independence?
Yes, Abby is one of my favorite characters I have had the opportunity to bring to life. She is a Bostonian socialite who hits the trail and heads west with her husband to start a new life in Texas where he has been appointed sheriff. On the way, tragedy, or more accurately foul play strikes and her husband is murdered, their wagon goes up in flames, and she is shot and left for dead in the middle of the desert. She somehow survives and finds her way to the town of Independence with the help of an Apache who finds her in her final breaths. There she finds, friends, foes, family, and the home she was seeking, even if it doesn’t look anything like she imagined it would.

What attracted you to the role?
From the moment I read the script, I was taken with Abby’s strength and conviction . She could have easily crumbled and become a victim of her circumstance, but not our Abby. Instead, she rose from the ashes like a phoenix aflame and started a new life, by herself, and perhaps for the first time, for herself. She is a woman out of her time who is smart enough to know what people expect of her but savvy enough to use that to her advantage to surprise everyone around her. She is a woman with agency in a time where it was not afforded to women readily and yet she takes it fearlessly while still caring and fighting for those who have done the same for her. There’s a reason the Walker legacy began with her.

**Left:**
Coat by Helen Anthony
**Right:**
Blazer by MARCELLA
Blouse & Trousers by LILYSILK
Heels by Azazie

How did you approach bringing the character to life?
Abby was fun to dive into because there was so much research. I grew up playing Oregon Trail (yes, kiddos the original CD-ROM computer game) and loving the history of the pioneer journeys out west, but this really opened my eyes not only to the hardships, but the beauty of the time. The tenacity of the people on all sides of these times and conflicts who fought to survive against or with society, each other, and at times nature itself is unparalleled. Also, the humor with which many of these stories were told is so undeniably human. Between this and finding as many ways as possible to subvert the tropes and expectations of the wilting ingénue or vengeful widow present in so many westerns, I had a ball seeing what makes Abby tick.

What do you most enjoy about playing strong female characters?
Everything. Truly though, I enjoy finding the flaws and complexities to these women. Often these women are written like superheroes who are proponents for good and are willing to fight for what they believe in. In order to humanize them and allow them to be more open to connect with audiences and draw them into the story, it’s important to find their downfalls, shortcomings, and the ways in which they aren’t perfect. These moments are the ones that I find the most interesting as they feel most nuanced and true to life. We live in a world that has become so much about the perfect filter or a curated look into someone’s life, people often forget that the most beautiful parts of life are the imperfect human ones. It is my job as a storyteller to show the human experience in as real a way as possible in every role I play and find the beauty in those raw, human moments to which we can all connect.

Can you tell us about “Fool’s Paradise?”
”Fool’s Paradise” is the brainchild of the brilliant Charlie Day. He wrote, directed, and starred in this film, a brilliant satire and love letter to Hollywood, the entertainment industry, and the unique experience of life in Los Angeles. With an incredible case of characters and cameos, this film follows the story of a man who stumbles into a myriad of situations and happens to live a miraculous life purely by chance. What I love about Charlie’s concept for this film is that he took one of the major rules of storytelling and flat out broke it to see if he could still tell a story and he did. When you tell a story, one of the key elements is that your protagonist has to want something and their actions to achieve that drive the story. In Fool’s Paradise, the protagonist doesn't want anything and therefore doesn't pursue anything. This allows others around him to project their own desires onto him and create situations in which they can insert him to achieve those goals.

**Left:**
Jacket & Trousers by S C H A I
Heels by Kurt Geiger
**Right:**
Top by Tayground
Trousers by VASEGHIA

What was it like working with Charlie Day on his directorial debut?
Working with Charlie on this film was a dream. Stepping onto the set, I could tell that everyone on that set simply adored and absolutely respected him. I soon experienced why. He creates such an environment of mutual inspiration and collaboration in which everyone’s ideas build on each other to truly create something special and that brings out the best in everyone’s work. The way in which he allows every person to feel as though they have creative freedom to play while simultaneously providing a clear vision and direction is simply brilliant. The visual style and musical choices in the film also round out his perspective in telling the story and just really highlight what a powerhouse storyteller he is.

As an ambassador for Girl Up, how do you plan to use your platform to further their missions?
I love working with Girl Up. As the young women’s empowerment organization under the UN foundation umbrella, they do incredible work to provide aid, services, and opportunities to women across the globe with actionable and visible results. What makes Girl Up special is that they focus on creating platforms for young women in developed countries to take initiative to reach out and help those in developing countries that need support. In doing so, they are not only making a difference in the world, but they are also creating and encouraging the practice and importance of a global community of support and outreach which will have lasting positive ramifications well into the future. In my work with them, I do everything I can to promote and spread the word about their programs so that those who want to find a way to affect positive change in our world.

**Left:**
Hat by Ozen
Top & Trousers by Bethel Helena
Heels by FRANCO SARTO
**Right:**
Vest & Trousers by Favorite Daughter
Coat by Helen Anthony
Heels by Kurt Geiger

Are there any other causes that you’re passionate about and actively support?
YES. There are a few near and dear to my heart, but one cause that always feels at home to me is The Big Slick. Started by Kansas City natives Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle, Eric Stonestreet, and David Koechner as a charity poker game to benefit the local Children’s Mercy Hospital - it is now a whole weekend of festivities culminating in a variety show and live auction. Now, 15 years later, we have raised more than $3 million in one weekend alone for the hospital. Growing up in Kansas City, I know what a difference Children’s Mercy makes to countless families in the region. I was a patient there myself as a kid and seeing the whole community rally together to celebrate and support the work they do is, loving. It is such a special weekend where the whole of Kansas City comes to a halt to raise funds for a compelling cause and the hosts (now including Heidi Gardner) gather other Kansas City natives and friends in the entertainment industry to come along and raise awareness and funds for the work of Children’s Mercy. Using the words of Big Slick, it’s real serious fun.

What can fans look forward to seeing from you in the future?
I have quite a few things brewing at the moment. Some on camera, some behind the lens and beyond. There are a few films I have just wrapped and a few which I am about to begin for which I am excited. I can’t say much about anything specifically as of yet, but if all goes as planned, it’s going to be a busy few years in the best way. I should have much more to share in the coming months so stay tuned.

What goals do you have for your career over the next five years?
This question is a tough one. I have so many goals, however the timeline is always changing given the nature of my life, the industry, and new opportunities that arise. Overall, I am looking to branch out into directing and producing (finding new avenues through which I can challenge myself and other creative ways in which I can be a part of telling the stories of which I am a part). In addition, I am writing and stepping back into music: both passions of mine I have spent years wanting to explore. All this being said, I will never stop acting (being able to step into the heart and mind of a character and being a part of the greater magic of telling a story with a team of cast, crew, and creatives is my first and greatest love in this career). In that aspect, I am looking to find roles that will push me beyond my own expectations for myself and really keep me on that precipice of growth and real change as an artist.

Social Media.
Instagram: @kat.mcnamara

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Katherine McNamara
Videographer: Zapman Creative Haus
Fashion Stylist: Alvin Stillwell at Celestine Agency
Hair: Richard Grant for Exclusive Artists using Oribe Haircare
Makeup: Merav Adler
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Gabriela Gonzalez, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine