Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, you didn't just watch Xena: Warrior Princess. You lived it. The war cry, the chakram, the leather—it was a whole vibe before "vibe" was even a word. But here’s the thing that gets me: people still talk about Lucy Lawless like she’s just that lady from the ancient Greek show.
She isn't.
In 2026, the Xena Warrior Princess actress is arguably more influential than she was when she was backflipping over CGI hydras. While most stars from that era faded into the "where are they now" bargain bin of reality TV, Lawless has pulled off a career pivot that would make a corporate consultant weep. She’s not just an actress; she's a director, an activist, and basically the patron saint of "not giving a damn" in your 50s.
The Xena Warrior Princess Actress Who Refused to Fade Away
Most people forget that Lucy Lawless wasn't even supposed to be Xena. She was a guest star on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, playing a villain who was meant to die after three episodes. But the fans? They went feral for her. The producers realized they had lightning in a bottle and spun her off into her own series.
Fast forward to today. You’ve probably seen her in My Life Is Murder, which just hit its fifth season this January. She plays Alexa Crowe, a baker who solves crimes—kinda weird, totally Lawless. It’s a far cry from the sword-and-sandals era, yet that same grit is there.
But the real shocker is her move behind the camera.
💡 You might also like: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
Last year, she released her directorial debut, Never Look Away. It’s a documentary about Margaret Moth, a CNN photojournalist who was as fearless as any fictional warrior. Lawless has gone on record saying she’s "not that interested" in acting anymore. Imagine being a global icon and just... deciding to start over because you’re bored. That’s peak Lucy.
Why She Still Matters to the Fans
If you go to a convention today, the Xena crowd is still the loudest. Why? Because Lawless (and her co-star Renee O’Connor) did something radical in 1995. They gave the LGBTQ+ community a hero.
The "subtext" between Xena and Gabrielle wasn't just a fan theory; it was a lifeline for thousands of people. Lawless has leaned into this legacy with so much grace. She doesn't just show up for the paycheck. She shows up for the community. She’s famously said that in her mind, Xena and Gabrielle were "definitely married."
More Than Just a TV Star: The Activist Era
You haven't lived until you've read about Lucy Lawless getting arrested.
Back in 2012, she climbed a 174-foot drilling tower on an oil rig in New Zealand. She stayed up there for three days to protest Arctic drilling. Most celebrities "support causes" by tweeting. Lawless literally puts her body on the line.
📖 Related: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
She’s a Greenpeace ambassador, but she’s also deeply involved in the Starship Foundation, a children's hospital in New Zealand. She has this philosophy of being a "contributor." She doesn't want her fans to give money to her charities; she tells them to go out and "enrich their own communities."
It’s that lack of ego that makes her so different from the typical Hollywood machine.
Breaking Down the Resume
If you haven't kept up, here is what the Xena Warrior Princess actress has been up to since the show ended in 2001:
- Battlestar Galactica: She played D'Anna Biers (Number Three), a Cylon with a messiah complex. It was chilling and brilliant.
- Spartacus: As Lucretia, she was the ultimate manipulator. No swords for her this time—just pure, psychological warfare.
- Parks and Recreation: She was Diane Lewis, the only woman strong enough to tame Ron Swanson. Seeing Xena in a "normal" cardigan was a trip, but she nailed the dry humor.
- Ash vs Evil Dead: Reuniting with the Sam Raimi/Rob Tapert crew (her husband is Rob Tapert, the show's creator), she played Ruby Knowby.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Career
There's this myth that she's "typecast." Honestly? That’s rubbish.
Lawless is a trained opera singer. She’s done Broadway (playing Rizzo in Grease). She speaks four languages. She’s done voice work for everything from The Simpsons to Minions: The Rise of Gru. If anything, she’s one of the most versatile performers out there.
👉 See also: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
The reason people still see her as Xena isn't because she can't do anything else—it's because Xena was that big of a cultural earthquake.
The 2026 Perspective
As we sit here in 2026, the industry is changing. We’re seeing a massive push for "authentic" storytelling, and Lawless is leading that charge by directing. She’s talked about how her 50s have felt like a "second wind." She’s stopped trying to prove herself to the old guard and started making things that actually matter to her.
She’s currently filming My Life Is Murder in Auckland, bringing her hometown to a global audience. It’s a small detail, but it says a lot. She could live anywhere. She chooses home.
How to Follow the Xena Legacy Today
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of the Xena Warrior Princess actress, don’t just stick to the reruns. Here is how you can actually engage with her work and the community she built:
- Watch "Never Look Away": If you want to see her brain at work, watch her documentary. It’s gritty, honest, and shows a side of her that the leather armor usually hid.
- Check out "My Life Is Murder": It’s the perfect "cozy mystery" with a sharp edge.
- Support "Feel the Love Week": Every September, fans do random acts of kindness in her honor. It’s probably the coolest fandom tradition in existence.
- Look for the "Xena" Influence: Watch shows like The Witcher or The Boys. You’ll see Xena’s DNA in every strong, morally grey female character on screen today.
Lucy Lawless isn't a relic of 90s television. She’s a blueprint for how to grow old in the public eye without losing your soul. Whether she’s on an oil rig or behind a camera lens, she’s still a warrior. Just without the battle cry.
Next Steps for Fans: Start by streaming the latest season of My Life Is Murder to see her current work in Auckland, then track down a screening of Never Look Away to experience her shift into documentary filmmaking. If you're feeling adventurous, look up the annual "Feel the Love Week" initiatives to see how the community continues to turn her legacy into actual local activism.