PHOTOS: Ryan Jerome
STYLING: Natalie Hoselton
MAKEUP: Melissa Hernandez
HAIR: Matt Fugate
WORDS: Jasmine Perrier
Last time we caught up with 23-year-old Katherine McNamara was more than a year ago, right after the launch of Shadowhunters’ season one. Freeform’s hit show led by Katherine since 2016 as the fierce and loving Clary Fray has been able to create a television adaption of The Mortal Instruments book series by Cassandra Clare pushing the heroes into deeper emotional spaces. According to the rising star from Kansas City, Missouri, being a part of Shadowhunters ‘‘has been such an amazing journey.’’ After wrapping up shooting the third and final season of the series last summer, she left Toronto that has been her place of employment for the past two years. Even if Katherine is now moving on to the next chapter of her life, she will definitely cherish this mind-blowing stage of her life forever.
I can only hope to continue encouraging people to be themselves through my work and personal life
‘‘Godness, where to even begin?’’ Shadowhunters actress says when asking how she feels regarding everything she has been through since the beginning of her journey in Freeform’s supernatural drama that has definitely been a life-changing experience for her. ‘‘They welcomed us with so open arms,’’ she comments on the fans of Shadowhunters who have never stopped showing their love and support since day one, ‘‘making this experience too special’’ for Katherine. ‘‘The people that I’ve met, the stories that I’ve heard, everything that has happened to me and everyone else on this journey, it’s truly extraordinary and rare. I certainly won’t forget it.’’
I’ve never been a part of a show where every single person in every single department cares so much about the work that they are doing
Before joining the cast of Shadowhunters, Katherine had never been into television series. Thus putting herself in Clary Fray’s shoes was like discovering an unknown world. ‘‘I had no idea what I was doing, I was just trying to do my best,’’ she reveals. Luckily, she ended up being surrounded by ‘‘a group of incredible people’’ who became not only her co-workers, but also her ‘‘family,’’ from her co-stars to the writers and all the people involved in the making of the show. Therefore, Katherine notices a parallel journey for her and her character Clary. ‘‘Luckily she is surrounded by a group of amazing friends that became her family and helped her. That’s exactly what happened to me on Shadowhunters,’’ Katherine recalls. ‘‘They support and guide me. I’ve grown and learnt a lot. I’ve changed a lot, but I think for the better.’’
GRUMPY MAGAZINE 