You might recognize Yvonne Strahovski for her chilling portrayal of Serena Joy in The Handmaid’s Tale. Her role as one of the show’s major villains catapulted her into the spotlight, earning her an Emmy nomination in 2018 for her outstanding performance.
Following that success, she starred alongside Cate Blanchett in the 2020 series Stateless and appeared in the 2021 film The Tomorrow War alongside Chris Pratt.
While you may be familiar with her recent achievements, there’s much more to Strahovski’s story. Born and raised in Australia, she still carries her Aussie accent in interviews. After training at drama school in Sydney, Strahovski began her career with a series of commercials and unsuccessful TV shows.
However, her move to Los Angeles proved to be a turning point, leading to significant roles in Chuck, Dexter, and 24: Live Another Day. Curious to learn more? Here’s a closer look at the remarkable transformation of Yvonne Strahovski.
#1. Yvonne Strahovski grew up in Sydney with her Polish family
Yvonne Strahovski was born in Sydney, Australia, to Polish immigrant parents. As Vogue reported, she was an only child and excelled academically, consistently earning straight A’s throughout her schooling.
Strahovski once shared, “I loved school, I loved putting on my uniform and doing homework every day. I was one of those good students that the teachers liked. I guess that’s got to be a pretty nerdy, geeky part of me” (via IMDb).
In addition to her studies, Strahovski dedicated time outside of school to enhance her language skills by attending weekly Polish lessons on Saturdays. “It’s my first language and we speak it at home,” she explained to GQ. “I was a goody two shoes — a straight-A girl, and I took pride in my studies.”
Strahovski’s early experiences with languages likely contributed to her flawless American accent, which has garnered universal praise. Even after leaving home, she has stayed connected to her Polish roots and remains fluent in the language. We’re genuinely impressed!
#2. Yvonne Strahovski studied dancing as a child
Yvonne Strahovski has always had a passion for the arts. As noted by Vogue, she was “obsessed” with acting and dancing from a young age. Interestingly, Strahovski had a strong interest in dance, studying it from the age of five until she was 18, as she shared with TV Guide in 2007.
Although she ultimately decided to focus on acting, the dance skills she honed have undoubtedly benefited her throughout her career. When it came time to film fight scenes on Chuck, her dance training proved invaluable. “I have a memory for choreography,” she explained. “It’s not hard for me to do all that [choreographed fight] stuff. In fact, it’s one of my favorite parts of the job.”
Strahovski has also had opportunities to showcase her dancing talent on screen. In Stateless, her character had multiple dance floor scenes, including moments in a dance class. Similarly, her moves were highlighted in Chuck, further demonstrating her versatility as a performer.
#3. Yvonne Strahovski knew she wanted to act, but had to convince people as a child
Yvonne Strahovski had a deep passion for acting from a young age, although she didn’t always feel confident about her suitability for the profession.
“I remember being the lanky, goofy, acne-covered child who was always clowning around in front of a home video camera,” she reflected in an interview with Stuff. Despite her playful nature, there was never any doubt in her mind that she wanted to pursue acting.
However, Strahovski’s parents had reservations about her career choice, believing that acting was too unstable. They encouraged her to consider more traditional paths like medicine or law. “But I was very stubborn,” she recalled. Once she was resolute in her decision, her parents shifted to support her ambitions.
The lack of confidence from others only fueled Strahovski’s determination. When it came time to audition for the role of Serena Joy in The Handmaid’s Tale, she felt ready to prove herself. “I was kind of up to the challenge of convincing someone that maybe I could do it,” she said, showcasing her tenacity in the face of doubt.
#4. Yvonne Strahovski studied acting at the University of Western Sydney
Yvonne Strahovski made the pivotal decision to pursue acting after completing her education. She enrolled in the University of Western Sydney’s acting program, where she dedicated three years to honing her craft. In her own words to TV Guide, the program balanced performance theory with practical acting classes, culminating in two performances during the final year.
Reflecting on her experience at drama school, Strahovski shared insights with an old classmate for Aussie Theatre. “That degree was predominantly stage-based… I think we weren’t too prepared for the camera world when we graduated, even though most of our castings and auditions were for camera,” she explained, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from stage to screen.
Strahovski faced her share of difficulties during her time at drama school. As she recounted to Stuff, she juggled her studies with various odd jobs to make ends meet, including waitressing and ushering at a movie theater. “I enjoyed waitressing,” she said. “It was kind of like going to the gym for 10 hours… It felt very satisfying after a hard day’s work.”
#5. Yvonne Strahovski started acting in commercials and TV in Australia
Shortly after graduating from drama school, Yvonne Strahovski started her professional career in Australia, appearing in television shows and commercials. According to GQ, her early work included advertisements for brands like razors, Pepsi, and A4 paper. She also starred alongside Rachael Taylor in the two-season drama Headland.
Reflecting on her early experiences in an interview for Aussie Theatre, Strahovski noted that her lack of camera training meant that these initial jobs served as practical lessons in screen acting. “It was more like I hit the ground running and learned on the job in a way,” she shared.
As she began to accumulate credits, Strahovski didn’t expect to move to the United States so quickly. However, she decided to visit for pilot season with some friends. During her time in Hollywood, she connected with an American manager, which set the wheels in motion for her burgeoning career.
#6. Yvonne Strahovski moved to L.A. in 2007 and got her big break within three days
Yvonne Strahovski’s early acting career in Australia lasted three years, but everything changed after one pivotal audition. Her American manager sent her a script for Chuck, and within just three days of arriving back in the U.S. for her audition, she landed the role.
In an interview with Aussie Theatre, she referred to it as her “fairytale story.” At that time, Strahovski shared with KTLA 5 that her parents were “ecstatic” and “very, very supportive.”
Initially, Strahovski thought she might have to return home. “It was me and my little blue suitcase for the rest of that year because I kept thinking, ‘Oh, I’m probably going to go home now,'” she confessed to Stuff.
However, when the pilot of Chuck was picked up, she decided to settle in the States. “I realized I probably should rent a proper place because I was living in a shoebox studio apartment and had rented eight cars by that point from a Hollywood rental place,” she recalled.
#7. Yvonne Strahovski changed the spelling of her name
When Yvonne Strahovski moved to America and landed a role in Chuck, she embarked on her journey to Hollywood stardom. However, she faced a tough decision regarding her name as she began her American acting career.
Her management team suggested giving her a more Hollywood-friendly name, proposing the surname “Stryker” to replace her original last name, which is spelled “Strzechowski.
Ultimately, Strahovski opted to keep her own name, albeit with a slight modification to the spelling. “Look, at the end of the day it was my call,” she explained. “I understood the reasoning behind it — the spelling of my name is a mouthful of letters.”
By adopting a phonetic spelling, she made it much easier for people to pronounce her name, helping her to become a household name. “I have the same last name — but now it’s spelled phonetically, so people know how to pronounce it,” she added.
#8. Yvonne Strahovski took on a series of impressive starring roles after ‘Chuck’
After her breakout role in Chuck, Yvonne Strahovski’s American career took off, leading to a series of significant roles in well-known TV dramas. From 2012 to 2013, she portrayed the deadly Hannah McKay in Dexter for the show’s final two seasons. In an interview with Collider, Strahovski revealed she was initially surprised by how long her character lasted.
“I was surprised when I got to the end of Season 7 and read that scene where she leaves the black orchid at his doorstep; I thought, ‘Wow, this is a pretty open ending. This might mean that they want me back,'” she recalled. Strahovski expressed her disbelief that her character was never killed off, noting that the show was a career highlight for her: “Every day was amazing!”
Another pivotal moment in her career came when she was cast in 24: Live Another Day. In her discussion with Collider, Strahovski shared that this role presented new challenges. “The style and the way this show is filmed, with the cameras always moving, means that you can’t really lie in front of these cameras,” she explained. “That’s what I like about this show.”
#9. Playing Serena Joy in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ was a life-changing experience for Yvonne Strahovski
One of Yvonne Strahovski’s most significant roles came in 2017 when she starred in Hulu‘s smash hit The Handmaid’s Tale. She was cast as Serena Joy, a wealthy but barren wife striving to become a mother through a surrogate “handmaid.”
For Strahovski, this role offered a unique opportunity to delve into a complex character unlike any she had portrayed before. “It was very hard to relate to her; I don’t really relate to her,” she admitted in an interview with Flare.
“She’s very unfriendly, unapproachable, and harsh. At times, she can be brutal, and as the show progresses, you’ll see her become even more so. It’s not something that came easily.” Eventually, Strahovski came to view Serena as “an empty carcass, a shell.”
Despite the challenges of embodying such a difficult character, Strahovski made it look effortless. Not only did she become the show’s captivating villain, but she also earned an Emmy nomination for her outstanding performance in the second season.
#10. For Yvonne Strahovski, Canadian nature was like therapy while shooting ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Yvonne Strahovski appreciated the opportunity to portray Serena Joy in The Handmaid’s Tale, but she found it challenging to inhabit such a cruel character. In an interview with Flare, she described Serena as “a monster” and acknowledged the difficulty of stepping away from her mindset after filming.
“This wasn’t easy to shake off or let go of,” she confessed. “It weighed heavily on my mind when I went home, as I was constantly trying to understand why this person would act in such a mean and brutal way.”
To help herself unwind, Strahovski sought solace in the natural beauty of Canada, where The Handmaid’s Tale was filmed. She would escape to lakes and national parks, saying, “I skipped off to different areas like Algonquin Park and Nova Scotia, doing the Cabot Trail. I really embraced Canada and what it has to offer. It was my therapy.”
#11. Yvonne Strahovski married Tim Loden in 2017 in a super chill ceremony
In the same year The Handmaid’s Tale premiered, Yvonne Strahovski tied the knot with her partner, Tim Loden. According to Vogue, the couple held a low-key ceremony in Paso Robles, California.
Their wedding was so understated that the public didn’t learn about it until months later, when Strahovski revealed the news during the Emmy Awards. She shared, “Yes, I got married. There was a heatwave, and we ended up jumping in the lake in our suit and gown just to cool down. It was ridiculously hot. But we had a great time.” Now that’s a laid-back bride!
Strahovski and Loden, who is also an actor, first met in 2010 when he guest-starred on Chuck. Loden’s other credits include Bloodlines and Vantastic, and he has also worked as a producer.
The couple seems happier than ever; on December 31, 2019, Strahovski posted a heartfelt tribute to Loden on Instagram, calling him her “greatest support.” She wrote, “Here’s to continued adventure, life and love without limits, amazing health and balance, connection and community, more outdoors and crazy good creativity.”
#12. Yvonne Strahovski returned to Australia for the first time in three years in 2018
Yvonne Strahovski’s acting career has primarily unfolded in America, but in 2018, she made a return to her roots for the film Angel of Mine, which was shot in Melbourne. In this movie, Strahovski portrayed a character named Claire. She noted that it was her first trip back to Australia in three years, and even longer since she had worked there.
Despite being born and raised in Australia, Strahovski found herself needing to relearn her Australian accent. “Being in Melbourne, surrounded by an Australian crew and friends who keep it real for me, helps with my weird, mashy accent,” she shared in a conversation with Vogue.
During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Strahovski admitted, “I feel so un-Australian saying that it’s harder to do the Australian accent now than it is to do the American one. I’ve spent 12 years here, and most of my roles—actually, all of them except three—have been in an American accent.” It seems this talented actress has undergone quite a transformation since her arrival in Hollywood.
#13. Yvonne Strahovski had her first child in 2018
In 2018, Yvonne Strahovski and Tim Loden welcomed their first child, and Strahovski was busy working in the lead-up to the birth. In a July 2018 interview with Vogue, she mentioned, “I’m due for a break. It’s been a little nonstop.”
She announced the arrival of her baby boy in a heartfelt Instagram post in October, sharing, “My heart has melted into a billion pieces a thousand times already. We have been blessed with the greatest joy of our lives.”
Strahovski later confided to Glamour about her concerns that the negative energy from her character on The Handmaid’s Tale might affect her baby. “I was always envisioning him, growing inside of me, separate in this safety bubble that nothing could touch,” she said. “No matter what kind of emotion I was portraying on camera, I just really tried to separate it.”
After returning to the set post-birth, Strahovski found support from her husband, who accompanied her to work every day with their baby. “He came to work with me every single day, so I was never far away and could still breastfeed on demand,” she recalled. Fortunately, her new son provided her with a wonderful way to unwind between takes.
#14. In 2020, Yvonne Strahovski starred in ‘Stateless’ alongside Cate Blanchett
Yvonne Strahovski found time between seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale to take on a contrasting role in the 2020 mini-series Stateless, which was filmed in Australia. Portraying Sofie was a refreshing change from her character Serena Joy, although it came with its own challenges.
“As I got myself into the mode of playing Sofie Werner, I realized, ‘Wow, we’re really in for it,'” she shared with TellTaleTV. She described the experience as “an incredibly intense journey,” but one she loved undertaking.
While Strahovski had struggled to find common ground with Serena Joy, she felt an easier connection with Sofie. “I sort of melted into her,” she said. The show, which focuses on a detention center, allowed Strahovski to meet real refugees, providing her with a profound insight. “Just in talking to them, it was so eye-opening for me,” she recalled.
“I had not met anyone before who had been through something like that… which just made the experience much more powerful.” Given Strahovski’s thoughtful approach to her roles, fans can anticipate many more impressive performances in the future.
