Template:Infobox Lost character Katherine "Kate" Austen is a fictional character on the ABC television series Lost, played by Evangeline Lilly. She is the female leading character.

In the episode "Born to Run" we learn Kate grew up in the U.S. state of Iowa, and was the daughter of a soldier and a diner waitress. In "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues," she tells Jack she learned how to read tracks in the wild from her father, an avid outdoorsman who once took her into the woods to track deer for eight hours.

As we learn in flashbacks in "What Kate Did," Kate's parents divorced and Kate's mother Diane married Wayne, an alcoholic who physically abused Diane. When Kate was making a scrapbook as a present for her father, she discovered the man who she thought was her biological father was still in Korea when she was conceived; she then realized Wayne is her biological father. Kate took out an insurance policy and blew up her house with Wayne inside it, meaning to benefit her mother. She explained this to her mother and fled, but was captured at a bus station by US marshal Edward Mars, who claims Kate's mother went to the authorities with what Kate had told her.

En route to the indictment hearing for Wayne's murder, a large black horse appeared in front of the Marshal's car, causing him to swerve off the road. While the marshal was still stunned from the air bag deployment, Kate was able to take his keys. After a brief tussle, Kate knocked him out of the car and drove off.

It is revealed that sometime after that, in flashbacks in the episode "Left Behind", Kate (under the alias Lucy) goes back to Iowa to see her mother again to ask why she told the cops about Wayne's murder. Kate does this with the help of Sawyer's ex-girlfriend, Cassidy Phillips. It is revealed that her mother was still in love with Wayne and that after his murder she carried hard feelings for Kate. Kate is then told that if her mother ever sees her again, she will yell for help.

In the flashbacks in "Born to Run," Kate traveled around the country with a car trunk full of license plates from various states, using hair dye to disguise her appearance.

Kate then received word her mother was dying from cancer, Kate took a chance and went home. There she met and reignited her childhood romance with Tom Brennan, now married and a doctor at the hospital. The two dug up a time capsule they had buried 15 years earlier, which contained a tape recording and a selection of Tom's toys, including a little toy airplane. Kate convinced Tom to arrange a visit with her mother, who was being guarded in the chance her daughter would make an appearance. Once Kate revealed herself to her mother, Diane began screaming for help, and Kate was forced to flee. She asked Tom for his car keys, but he demanded to go with her, saying the police would be easy on her if she cooperated. Kate sped towards a police car blockading the entrance of the parking garage, and an officer fired off a few shots as she passed. She then crashed into another car. Kate turned to Tom and saw he was dead. Kate fled the scene, leaving behind the toy airplane.

In the episode "Whatever the Case May Be" Kate was involved in an elaborate bank robbery in New Mexico, in which she presented herself to the bank manager as an innocent bystander while she was actually romantically linked with the bank robbers' supposed leader. Posing as "Maggie Ryan" applying for a loan, Kate was rounded up by the robbers as one of the hostages.

When another hostage overpowered a robber, Kate grabbed one of their guns, but immediately claimed to be unable to use it. The lead robber then took Kate into a back room, and after a quick kiss, hit her so as to continue the ruse. The robber brought in the bank manager and claimed he would kill the seemingly innocent Kate, unless the vault were opened. Thinking he was saving her life, the bank manager complied. In the vault, the robber revealed Kate had actually planned and organized the entire operation. The robber, intent on shooting the manager, was stopped by Kate, who instead shot the robber in the leg, then forced the manager to open a safe deposit box. Inside the box was a single item: Tom's toy airplane.

In the episode "I Do" Kate (under the alias Monica) met a police officer named Kevin and eventually settled down with him in Miami, Florida. At the day of marriage, Kevin's mother gave Kate a gold chain with a trinket on it that was supposed to go to her daughter, but since she had four boys Kate was the only choice. Later on, Kate called Edward Mars from a phone booth. She set a timer (supposedly it went off one second before they could trace her call) and begged him to stop looking for her because she was happy. Mars said he would stop chasing her only if she really settled down, but that he knew she would never stop running. Afterwards, Kevin revealed he bought two tickets to Costa Rica (also on Oceanic Airlines) for a honeymoon. After a home pregnancy test she took showed two blue lines, Kate decided to come clean. She drugged his tea so he wouldn't remember the conversation and wouldn't lose his job. She told him she was a fugitive, her name wasn't Monica, and she almost had a baby. Kevin, a little woozy from the drugs, was emotionally struck with this revelation. He fell unconscious to the floor, and Kate placed the gold chain in his hand as she left.

Sometime later, in the episode "Tabula Rasa" Kate turned up in Australia. Using the name Annie and claiming to be Canadian, she arrived at the house of an Outback farmer, who, in exchange for help around his farm, offered her a wage and a home. Months later, in the middle of the night, Kate attempted to sneak out of the house. The farmer interrupted her in this attempt, and insisted he drive her to the train station the next morning.

On the road, their truck is followed by Edward Mars. The farmer admitted that he saw Kate's picture on a wanted poster at the post office and turned her in for the cash reward (later revealed to be $23,000; 23 is one of the numbers). Kate grabbed the wheel and drove off the road, rolling the truck. Despite being free to escape, Kate pulled the injured farmer away from the wreck, giving the marshal time to capture her.

Immediately prior to the flight, the marshal revealed to an Australian law enforcement officer that he had been chasing Kate for three years, and he had put the toy airplane in the safe deposit box as bait. He now had the toy airplane in his possession, presumably having recovered it from Kate's possessions after capturing her.

On board Flight 815, she was sitting handcuffed beside the marshal. Just prior to the crash, she asked the marshal for a favor, which she later claims was to make sure the farmer received the reward for turning her in. As the plane broke apart, the marshal was injured. Kate stole the keys to her handcuffs, but made sure to apply the marshal's oxygen mask before putting on her own.

Since arriving on the island, Kate has been involved with most of the major developments that occur to the survivors, from the recovery of the transceiver, to the discovery of the repeating transmission, the polar bear, the cave-in, and the decision to move to the caves. This is due in no small part to her friendship with Sayid, Charlie, and Hurley, as well as her apparent feelings for both Jack and Sawyer.

In "Walkabout," Kate refuses to help Locke kill the boars, even though her father trained her how to hunt, and says, "I'm a vegetarian." In a later episode, however, she is seen killing a shellfish with Sawyer helping her get the food for others on the Island.

During a game of "I Never" in "Outlaws," Kate reveals to Sawyer that she was married, though she says the marriage didn't last very long (her marriage to Kevin). She also reveals that she has killed a man, although she may have been referring to Tom, as she also tells Jack that the toy airplane "belonged to the man I killed."

Later, Kate helps deliver Claire's baby boy in the middle of the jungle, while Jack is in the midst of trying to save Boone's life.

When Sawyer dumps out the contents of her backpack, he finds out that she is carrying the passport of a survivor who drowned a few days after the crash, presumably to use for future false identification, in "Born to Run." He then tells everyone about it because she made a statement that she would take his spot on the raft.

Kate enters the hatch, despite Jack's earlier objections, and is consequently caught by Desmond. After Locke joins them and speaks to him, Desmond instructs Locke to tie up Kate and lock her in the pantry. She escapes via the air duct and arrives in the armory, using one of the guns to knock out Desmond. In the ensuing conflict, Kate accidentally damages the computer, causing Desmond to flee. However, the computer is fixed, and Kate helps organize a rota for the computer ("Orientation"). Since then, Kate is the first to use the hatch's facilities. She soon helps a distraught Sun in finding her wedding ring ("...And Found"). Soon after, Kate plays golf with Jack, only to be greeted by Mr. Eko carrying a critically injured Sawyer. Kate is instructed to care for him whilst everyone else attends Shannon's funeral.

Whilst watching over him, she is visited by her deceased father's spirit, channeling through Sawyer, and strangles her. Kate flees the hatch, and is eventually comforted by Jack. Later, she takes Sawyer into the jungle, where the two encounter a horse that Kate recognizes from her past ("What Kate Did"). Upon learning of Michael's sudden absence, Kate volunteers to help follow, but Jack refuses. Despite this, Kate sneaks along with them until she is captured by the Others. She is held at ransom in exchange for their weapons. Upon returning to the beach, Jack gives Kate the cold shoulder ("The Hunting Party"). She later serves Claire by preventing Charlie from speaking to her ("Fire + Water").

The next day, after learning of Sun's attempted kidnapping, Kate and Sawyer discuss the theory that new arrival Ana Lucia is behind the attack, and informs Jack. However, Kate finds herself in a four-way struggle between herself, Ana Lucia, Jack and Locke. That night, Sawyer reveals that they were all a part of his con to retrieve the weapons ("The Long Con"). Days later, Kate accompanies Claire into the jungle in search of medicine for a sick Aaron. They encounter Rousseau, who helps them discover the Staff station. Inside, the hatch has been ransacked, with only an overturned medicine cabinet left behind. They return to the beach, and Kate keeps the hatch's whereabouts to herself ("Maternity Leave"). Later, Kate consoles Sun over her unexpected pregnancy ("The Whole Truth").

Days later, Kate and Jack discover a food drop that had occurred mysteriously without their knowledge. They inform the rest of the camp, and helps transport the food to the beach. Later, Jack approaches Kate to help him retrieve Michael. Whilst trekking inland, Kate reveals information regarding the Staff station. Kate accidentally triggers a trap that both of them are caught in, but eventually free themselves. Later, they arrive at "the line" where the Others confronted them, and remain there until a bewildered and injured Michael emerged from the jungle ("S.O.S."). They take him to the hatch to recover, and Jack, Kate and Locke approach Sawyer for guns. After learning of Ana Lucia's intentions, the four of them rush to the hatch, where they discover Ana Lucia, Michael and Libby have all been shot, and that "Henry Gale" had escaped. Kate objects to Jack searching for him, instead tending to a mortally wounded Libby.

During this time, Michael asks Kate to accompany him to meet with the Others, to which she accepts, but scolds his timing. She is present at the funeral later that day, and witnesses Desmond's unintended return to the island ("Three Minutes"). The next day, she heads off with Michael, along with Jack, Sawyer and Hurley into the jungle, where she eventually discovers two Others following them from a distance. She and Sawyer shoot at them, killing only one. The five eventually arrive at a clearing, where they are all suddenly ambushed and stunned. They are gagged and hooded, and taken to a pier, where Kate witnesses Michael leaving the island with Walt. Kate, Jack and Sawyer are then taken away by the Others ("Live Together, Die Alone").

Kate wakes up in a locker room, being watched by Tom. She is told to shower and prepare for a meeting with Ben. She is forced to wear a dress instead of her own clothes, and at her breakfast meeting with Ben, is forced to wear handcuffs. After this, she is locked in a cage opposite Sawyer. They are then forced to work for the Others, consisting of hauling rocks. Kate shows objections to Pickett's authority, resulting in Sawyer being constantly abused ("The Glass Ballerina"). Later, Kate makes an attempt to escape with Sawyer, but is shocked to hear his objections to her plan. She later aborts her plan, but Kate and Sawyer end up having sex soon after, unaware that Jack is watching via surveillance ("The Cost of Living"). Kate is then brought into the Hydra station to persuade Jack to operate on Ben, telling him about Sawyer's fate if he refuses. Kate is soon forced to watch as Pickett is about to shoot Sawyer. However, Jack radios in and demands that Kate escapes, only calling back when she has fled and is safe, repeating the story he told her on their first meeting as confirmation ("I Do").

Kate beats the Other holding her, and locks him and Pickett in a cage. Whilst running in the jungle, Kate and Sawyer encounter Alex, who asks them to help free her boyfriend, Karl, in exchange for a boat. They act as Alex's captives and are led to a block of holding cells, finding Karl being brainwashed. The three of them return to the beach, where Pickett is ready and holds them at gunpoint. However, they are rescued when Juliet shoots and kills him. Kate radios Jack, repeats his story, and is instructed never to return for him again. Tearfully, Kate, Sawyer and Karl sail away ("Not in Portland"). Kate feels tremendous guilt, and demands Sawyer sails back, to which he refuses. Back on the main island, Kate and Sawyer are at odds over Jack's fate, eventually breaking away from their romantic relationship. They arrive on the beach later that day and are greeted by hugs. Kate scolds Locke and Sayid for not worrying about Jack. She ventures into the jungle that night and seeks out Rousseau ("Tricia Tanaka Is Dead").

The four of them trek into the jungle, where Kate is wary over Rousseau's uninterest towards her daughter. They soon discover the Flame station, and are greeted by Mikhail, who claims to be the sole survivor of the DHARMA Initiative. However, he is soon exposed as an Other, and subsequently held at gunpoint as Kate explores the basement. After being assaulted by Bea, Kate and Sayid take the two outside, where Bea is shot and killed. Kate and Sayid agree to keep him as hostage, but witness the destruction of the Flame station ("Enter 77"). The next day, they discover sonar pylons, serving as a fence surrounding the Others' base. Kate suggests climbing over the pillars in order to avoid certain death, and cuts down a tree to serve as a bridge. They arrive outside the Others' base, where Kate is shocked to discover Jack socializing with the Others ("Par Avion"). Kate and Sayid devise a plan to infiltrate the camp and rescue Jack, but are both captured and locked up separately.

Kate is visited by Jack, who tells her about his deal with the Others, much to her disappointment. She is then visited by Juliet, but attacks her. The next morning, after a brief visit from Locke, Kate is gassed. She wakes up to find herself handcuffed to Juliet in the jungle. The two constantly bicker as they make their way back to the Others' now abandoned base, ceasing only to escape the "Monster". Kate witnesses Juliet shutting out the Monster by using the sonic fence. Still bitter towards her, Kate enters the houses and recovers Jack. They meet up with Juliet and Sayid, and begin their journey back to the beach ("Left Behind"). Upon their return, Kate shares the same resentment as the rest of the camp regarding Juliet's presence. However, after Claire falls seriously ill, Kate learns about the fate of pregnant women on the island ("One of Us"). She is approached by Sun, but Kate accidentally mentions Juliet, knowing that Sun would grow upset ("D.O.C."). Later, she finds Sayid with a satellite phone, to which he explains about Naomi's presence. She promises not to tell Jack, but almost instantly goes to inform him ("The Brig").

Kate is then shown Juliet's recorder regarding Sun's pregnancy and the possibility of Kate being pregnant herself. That night, the camp engage in a group discussion. After playing the recorder, Jack and Juliet return to camp and offer an explanation ("The Man Behind the Curtain"). The next day, Kate is lead into the jungle and shown their plan to rid them of the Others. Upon returning, and after learning of the Others' change of plan, Kate heads off with the rest of the camp to the radio tower ("Greatest Hits"). That night, Kate and the others watch Sayid's plan unfold on the beach, growing concerned when two of the three explosions occur. The next day, Kate bickers with Sawyer regarding his carelessness attitude, especially when Sawyer offers to return to the beach. Kate volunteers to join him, but is underminded when Juliet offers instead, claiming to know of a stash of guns. Kate arrives at the radio tower, where she and the others encounter Ben and Alex. Kate assists with tying him up, and also Naomi's death at the radio tower. She is over joyed when Jack contacts her boat ("Through the Looking Glass").

In Through the Looking Glass, it is revealed that Jack and Kate leave the island sometime in the future. At first, Kate seems to be avoiding Jack. However, she agrees to meet him at the airport to discuss something. Jack informs her of an unidentified person's funeral and she asks him why she would go. After Jack tells her that they need to return to the island, she leaves, saying that, "he's gonna be wondering where I am." It is not clear to whom "he" refers. Also during this episode, there is a shot of Kate's arm, which seems to be bruised - leading to theories that in the future she is being abused by this unidentified man that she refers to.

• In the original plot for Lost, in which Jack dies when the group finds the cockpit, Kate was to emerge as the leader for the survivors, motivating them to build shelter and begin considering life as permanent residents of the island.^[1]
• In the original description for Kate, she was a slightly older woman separated from her husband, who went to the bathroom in the tail-section of the plane. However, that idea ended up being used for Rose and her husband Bernard.
• Yunjin Kim originally tried out for Kate. The producers liked her but didn't think she was right for the part, so they wrote the role of Sun-Hwa Kwon for her.^{[citation needed]}

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