Katy O’Brian (born 1989) is an American actress, writer, and martial artist. She is best known for her roles as George in Syfy’s zombie show Z Nation[1] and Major Sarah Grey in The CW’s superhero series Black Lightning. O'Brian played a communications officer in the second season of The Mandalorian.
Katy O'Brian | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1989 (age 32–33) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Education | BA in Psychology and German Studies at Indiana University Bloomington |
| Occupation | Actress, writer, martial artist |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Website | www |
O'Brian was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the age of 9, O'Brian earned her brown belt in Shorei Goju Ryu Karate.[2] Throughout her youth, she participated in numerous sports programs and music programs as a percussionist.
O'Brian attended Indiana University Bloomington, majoring in psychology and Germanic studies.[3] She was one of the first members of the university's short-form improv troupe Hoosonfirst and received law enforcement certification through the university's Cadet Officer Program. While at the university, Katy received her black belt in Hapkido through the United States Hapkido Federation.[4]
After graduation, O'Brian was a police officer at the Carmel Police Department in Carmel, Indiana. While working for the department, O'Brian obtained her personal trainer certification and began competing in bodybuilding figure competitions.[5] She also began her training at the Indy Actor's Academy[6] which gave her the confidence and experience to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. O'Brian moved to Los Angeles in July 2016 after signing with RCM Talent.
Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, O'Brian met her wife, Kylie Chi, on the set of a student film project. The couple live together in Los Angeles.[7]
O'Brian 's first television role was as a Savior also named Katy on AMC’s The Walking Dead,[8] quickly followed by co-star roles on Halt & Catch Fire, Tosh.O and How to Get Away with Murder.
In 2018, O'Brian booked her first series regular role on the series Z Nation where she played George, a budding leader of the apocalypse. In 2019, O'Brian appeared in the CW series Black Lightning as an ASA antagonist, Major Sarah Grey. She has since appeared in season 3 of HBO’s Westworld and has several upcoming projects.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Student Seven | SIG Raider | |
| 2015 | Submerge: Ni're Reborn | E'lan | Short Film |
| Finders Keepers | Girl | Short Film | |
| Remedy of a Killer | Nancy | Short Film | |
| 2016 | Richard Watson Files | Emma Simms | Short Film |
| 2019 | Rain | TV News Reporter | Short Film |
| Power Rangers: Zenith | Aisha | ||
| Gnawbone | Lisa | ||
| Fantasy | Kelly | ||
| The Divisible | Kira | Short Film | |
| 2020 | Sidewinder | Deputy Harris | Short Film |
| 2021 | Sweet Girl | TV Host | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Tosh.0 | Softball Player | Episode: "UCF Baseball Player" |
| 2017 | Halt and Catch Fire | Bartender | Episode: "Search" |
| 2017-2018 | The Walking Dead | Katy | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | How to Get Away with Murder | Cashier Girl | Episode: "Ask Him About Stella" |
| 2018 | Z Nation | George | Main cast (Season 5) |
| 2019-2020 | Black Lightning | Major Sara Grey | Recurring (Season 3) |
| 2020 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Kimball | 3 episodes (Season 7) |
| 2020 | The Mandalorian | Comms Officer | Recurring (Season 2) |
| 2021 | Magnum P.I. | Kai Durrell | Episode: "First the Beatdown, Then the Blowback" |
| 2021 | The Rookie | Katie Barnes | Episode: "New Blood" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Talking Zed Show | Self | TV Series |
| 2021 | 24 Hours of Nothing But Net with Debbie Antonelli | Self | TV Special |