Katja Herbers, from Amsterdam, Netherlands, is the lead of the Paramount+ show “EVIL,” now in its third season. She plays Kristen Bouchard and “EVIL” is about an investigation of supposed abnormal events led by a group consisting of a psychologist, priest and blue-collar contractor. Previously Katja appeared in “WESTWORLD” as Emily Grace, “MANHUNT” as Linda Patrik, “MANHATTAN” as Helen Prins, and “THE LEFTOVERS” as Dr. Eden.

Blouse + Pants by Valentino at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Shawl by Marco Hall

You were born in Amsterdam but grew up in the United States. Do you still feel connected to your Dutch roots?
I only moved to the United States when I got my first American job in 2013. It was a Sam Shaw series called MANHATTAN, a wonderful show about the making of the Atomic Bomb during the second world war. You can still find it on Hulu, I think. Growing up, I accompanied my mom on tour to the U.S. during holidays. She's a violinist and would frequently perform in New York. I fell in love with the city. When I was 19, I spent 6 months there on my own, studying acting at HB Studios. But I never have felt disconnected to my Dutch roots. I’m very much a person from Amsterdam.

Did you always know you wanted to be an actress?
Early on, yes, I did. I remember when I had to get glasses at maybe 10 years old, I was inconsolable because I thought that meant that I couldn't be an actress. My mom then told me that Marilyn Monroe was also farsighted, ha-ha! That soothed me. I wasn't the type of child who wanted the spotlight, though. I never participated in school plays or anything like that. I was rather shy, sensitive, and observant growing up.

**Left:**
Nude & silver dress by Minutiae at Flying Solo
2 bracelets and earrings by ben-amun
Shoes by Gianvito Rossi at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
**Right:**
Salmon dress by ADAM LIPPES
Pink shawl by Mimi Plange
Shoes by Dolce & Gabbana at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Earrings by Erickson Beamon at ShowroomSEVEN

The new season of “Evil” is currently streaming on Paramount+. Did it feel different anticipating the release of the third season as opposed to how it felt waiting for the first season to air?
It does! Anticipating the release of first season was extremely exciting. It still excites me, of course, but at least we know now that people respond to the stories and the characters.

How does your role of Dr. Helen Prins on MANHATTAN differ from Dr. Kristen Bouchard?
Ha, what a great question. They lived in a vastly different time, but under quite exciting, high stress circumstances. They're the same in that they both give zero fucks about what men think. They're both whip smart and quick. Dr. Helen Prins had been given a job, that under normal circumstances, would've gone to a man, but being that it was war time, she got a chance. They needed all the brains they could get. After the war, she would've had to go back to a different kind of life, most likely. She chose not to have children so that she could pursue her career. She had to use everything she had to get to where she was. She was unapologetic, sexy, and calculating. Dr. Kristen Bouchard has four daughters and a career. Sexism obviously still very much exists in 2022, but it's not unthinkable for Kristen to have a doctorate, be a mother, and be successful.

**Left:**
Salmon dress by ADAM LIPPES
Pink shawl by Mimi Plange
Shoes by Dolce & Gabbana at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Earrings by Erickson Beamon at ShowroomSEVEN
**Right:**
Nude & silver dress by Minutiae at Flying Solo
2 bracelets and earrings by ben-amun
Shoes by Gianvito Rossi at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field

Do you prepare for each different role in a different or similar manner?
Kind of similarly. I work very intuitively.

How does it feel to have an intense fan reaction to the shows you’re apart of?
It doesn't occupy me, honestly. I love that people love the show and that they love Kristen. There are some talented people out there who make Kristen fan videos, and I’m a fan of theirs to be honest.

What has been your favorite episode of “Evil” to film, so far?
I always love episodes where I get to do some crazy and challenging stuff and that is very often on this show. I loved getting to play high off Psilocybin with Mike on the first season. We had a blast at his father’s house. That episode was directed by James Whitmore, who's a hoot and one of my favorite directors. I also loved the silent episode because it was just so special, and I got to show a lot of Kristen's goofy side. Robert King directed that one, it was a longtime dream of his. The whole set was just very inspired. But I also loved our season 2 finale episode, because it was extremely demanding for me as an actor.

How is it like working with your castmates such as Mike Colter and Michael Emerson?
Gosh I’m just so lucky. We all get along so well, it's gross, ha-ha. I love seeing them all pretty much every day. It's been three years now, but we still all have the same excitement for the show and our characters. I have to pinch myself. I have four amazing TV daughters who will be in my heart forever and on top of that, we get the most amazing guest actors on our show like Danny Burstein, Renee Elise Goldsbury, and Brian D'Arcy James to name a few.

Social Media.
Instagram and Twitter: @katjaherbers.