Katheryn Winnick

OF ‘BIG SKY’ ON ABC

As Season 2 of “Big Sky” begins, your character Jenny appears to have accepted Cassie (played by Kylie Bunbury) as her investigative partner. Does that mean any tension over the two women’s mutual love for the now-deceased Cody is over? We definitely have a strong bond. We have mutual respect for each other as private eyes, but now that Jenny got shot at the end of Season 1, that adds a whole new different dynamic and stakes in their relationship. I did a lot of research in terms of having a near-death experience, and how that actually affects your life choices if you do get a second chance. I feel that you will see Jenny in a new light. You’ll see a new version of her ... a 2.0 version that is reflective in terms of her choices in work, and her relationship with Kylie and new partnerships, and also her own purpose and her own meaning of what she wants and how to get it. “Big Sky” took some criticism in its first season for its rather brutal treatment of several of its female characters. How do you view that going into Season 2?

This feels like a new start and in a lot of ways new storytelling, also with new cast (members). I started Tae Kwon Do at the age of seven, I got my first black belt at the age of 13, and I started a martial-arts school at the age of 16 – so I’m a huge advocate of protecting women and also helping women, getting them the knowledge they need to be able to defend themselves. I know that Elwood (executive producer Elwood Reid) also is a big advocate, having daughters, so I think you’ll see a big change this year.