Lucy Martin
Lucy Elise Martin (born 8 June 1991) is an English actress, singer, and dancer best known for her role as Ingrid, a servant who becomes queen, in the final season of the History Channel's historical drama series Vikings (2019–2020).[1][2] Martin is the third of four children to a Scottish father and English mother.[3][1] She attended a local secondary school in Knowle until age 16, after which she received a scholarship to the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, where she trained in musical theatre.[1][4] Martin began her professional career performing as a dancer and singer in West End productions, including Dirty Dancing, Mamma Mia!, and Jersey Boys, before shifting focus to acting.[1] Her television breakthrough came with the role of Penny in the 2017 first season of the Sky Atlantic series Riviera, followed by her prominent turn as Ingrid in Vikings, where she portrayed a cunning seer and love interest to Bjorn Ironside.[1][2] In film, Martin has starred in horror-thriller The Seed (2021) as Deirdre, the historical epic Boudica: Queen of War (2023) as Cartimanda, and the action film Clear Cut (2024) as Becca.[1] Her work spans theatre, television, and cinema, highlighting her versatility in both ensemble casts and lead roles.[1]Early life
Upbringing
Lucy Martin was born on 8 June 1991 in Solihull, West Midlands, England.[3] She grew up in the nearby village of Knowle as the third of four children, alongside two older brothers and one younger sister.[5][6] Her father is Scottish and her mother is English.[5][7] From a young age, Martin displayed a keen interest in performing arts, often staging impromptu shows, dances, and songs for family and friends while imitating pop stars like Britney Spears.[8] She began exploring ballet, dance, and singing through local activities before pursuing more structured training.[5] Her parents provided strong support for these artistic pursuits, helping her apply for opportunities despite initial financial concerns about her career path.[8]Education and training
Lucy Martin attended a local secondary school in Knowle, West Midlands, until the age of 16.[5] At that point, she was awarded a musical theatre scholarship to Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, where she studied as a boarding student.[8][5] During her time at Tring Park, Martin received specialized training in ballet, singing, and dance, which developed her multidisciplinary skills essential for musical theatre.[8] She completed her studies at the school and transitioned to professional opportunities at age 17.[5] This rigorous training laid the foundation for her versatility as an actress, singer, and dancer in subsequent performances.[8]Career
Stage beginnings
Lucy Martin made her professional stage debut at the age of 17 in the West End production of Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre in 2009, where she performed as an ensemble member and swing, understudying the roles of Penny and Lisa.[7] This opportunity came shortly after she completed her musical theatre training at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, where she had honed her skills in singing, dancing, and acting through a scholarship program.[8] As a newcomer, Martin navigated the intense rehearsal processes typical of large-scale musicals, learning to adapt quickly to choreography and character demands while building stamina for eight performances a week.[8] Following her debut, Martin joined the international tour of Mamma Mia! from 2010 to 2011, serving as a swing and understudy for Ali, which allowed her to showcase her vocal and dance abilities across global venues.[7] The touring schedule presented unique challenges, including frequent travel and performing in diverse environments, which tested her resilience and deepened her understanding of ensemble dynamics in live theatre.[8] These experiences fostered her growth from a trainee performer to a versatile stage artist capable of engaging audiences through high-energy routines and harmonious group numbers. By 2013, Martin returned to the West End in Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre (later transferring to the Piccadilly Theatre), taking on her first principal role as Lorraine while also handling ensemble duties and multiple character portrayals in Act 1, such as Frankie's mother and a French pop star.[7] The production's rapid costume changes—up to 13 roles requiring quick shifts—and the need for precise timing in live interactions with co-stars and the audience highlighted the unscripted elements of theatre, pushing her to refine her improvisational skills and emotional delivery under pressure.[8] Through these early roles up to 2014, Martin credited the transition from structured training to the unpredictability of professional performances with building her confidence and adaptability as a performer.[8]Television breakthrough
Martin's television debut came in 2017 with a recurring role as Penny Radcliffe in the Sky Atlantic drama series Riviera, where she appeared in two episodes, marking her introduction to scripted television drama.[9] In 2019, Martin landed her breakthrough role as Ingrid in the History Channel's Vikings, portraying the character across 18 episodes from seasons 5 to 6.[10] Ingrid begins as a slave serving Queen Gunnhild and King Bjørn in Kattegat, evolving into Bjørn's second wife after gaining his favor through her cunning and loyalty, and ultimately ascending to queen following his death, only to face accusations of witchcraft that underscore her ambitious rise.[11] This role significantly elevated Martin's visibility, establishing her as a recognized face in international television and highlighting her ability to convey a complex arc of vulnerability, manipulation, and power.[2] Her portrayal drew praise for capturing Ingrid's blend of fragility and ruthlessness, with viewers noting the character's depth in online discussions and reviews that appreciated the nuanced depiction of a woman's ascent in a patriarchal Viking society.[12] Building on this momentum, Martin appeared in a supporting capacity as Julia Hoppen in one episode of the Sky Atlantic comedy-drama I Hate Suzie Too in 2022, contributing to the series' exploration of personal scandals and recovery.[13] The following year, she took on the role of Camilla Woodham in two episodes of the ITV medical thriller Malpractice, portraying a patient entangled in a web of hospital negligence and ethical dilemmas within a contemporary British healthcare setting.[14][15] Martin's early stage experience, which honed her expressive range, proved instrumental in adapting to television's demands, allowing her to bring emotional authenticity to close-up performances despite the shift to extended filming schedules.Film roles
Lucy's entry into feature films came with a supporting role as Valentina in the 2021 comedy-drama The Grand Duke of Corsica, marking her debut on the big screen alongside Timothy Spall and Peter Stormare in a story blending historical fantasy and modern satire set in Malta.[16] Her performance contributed to the film's whimsical tone, though the ensemble-driven narrative focused primarily on the lead characters' eccentric commission to build a mausoleum.[17] That same year, Martin took on a lead role as Deidre in the horror-thriller The Seed, portraying one of three estranged friends isolated at a remote desert retreat where cosmic horror unfolds through body transformations and escalating dread.[18] Critics praised her standout performance for building tension through Deidre's self-absorbed vulnerability turning terrifying, enhancing the film's practical effects and gory climax despite an uneven script.[19][20] In 2022, she appeared as Gilly Belcher, the mother of the titular boxer, in the historical biopic Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher, a Regency-era drama chronicling the rise and fall of the English champion known for his elegance and skill.[21] Martin's portrayal added emotional depth to the family dynamics amid the brutal world of bare-knuckle boxing, supporting the film's exploration of Regency pugilism's social undercurrents.[22] Martin portrayed the fierce Trinovante warrior Cartimanda in the 2023 historical epic Boudica: Queen of War, a key ally who trains and fights alongside Olga Kurylenko's Boudica in a rebellion against Roman invaders.[23] Her role highlighted intense action sequences, including graphic battles that showcased Celtic resistance, though the film drew mixed reviews for its blend of historical inspiration and dramatic liberties.[24][25] In the 2024 action-thriller Clear Cut, Martin played Becca, the wife of logger Jack Connor, appearing in flashbacks that reveal personal stakes amid a forest chase involving a drug cartel and survival horrors.[26] The film's Pacific Northwest setting underscores environmental perils of logging and wilderness threats, with Martin's character tying into the protagonist's motivations during high-stakes pursuits.[27] In 2025, Martin appeared as Peggy in the action thriller Thieves Highway, directed by Jesse V. Johnson, where her character becomes entangled in a plot involving stolen goods and high-stakes transport.[28] Martin's film career has shown steady progression from supporting ensemble parts to leads and pivotal supporting roles across genres, including comedy-drama, horror, biography, epic action, and thriller, building on skills honed in television like Vikings. This diversity has expanded her international appeal, with projects attracting global audiences through streaming platforms and festival circuits.[29][30]Filmography
Theatre credits
Martin's theatre career began with ensemble and understudy roles in major West End and touring productions before she originated a leading character in an original musical. Her stage work spans swing positions, where performers cover multiple roles, to principal parts, highlighting her versatility as a dancer and singer.[7]| Year(s) | Production | Role | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2009 | Dirty Dancing | Swing (ensemble); understudy for Penny and Lisa; performed as Penny | Aldwych Theatre, London (West End) | Professional debut at age 17; production ran 2006–2011.[8][7] |
| 2010–2011 | Mamma Mia! | Swing (ensemble); understudy for Ali | International tour | World tour following West End productions.[7][31] |
| 2013–2014 | Jersey Boys | Lorraine | Prince Edward Theatre and Piccadilly Theatre, London (West End) | First major named role; production ran 2008–2017; performed for approximately 1.5 years.[7][32][33] |
| 2016 | 27 | Miss M (originating role) | Cockpit Theatre, London | World premiere of rock musical 27: The Rise of a Falling Star; ran 8 September–22 October.[34][35] |