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Sons of Anarchy
The subject of the article is involved with Sons of Anarchy The subject of the article is involved with Sons of Anarchy Season 1

Donna Winston (d. 2008), was Opie Winston's wife on the FX original series Sons of Anarchy. Played by American actress Sprague Grayden, Donna made her debut in the series' premiere episode, "Pilot", in season one. Playing a recurring role through the same season, Donna meets her demise in the episode "The Sleep of Babies".

Biography[]

Donna is shown to be a caring mother and a loyal wife to Harry "Opie" Winston. Despite her husband's questionable choices in life, Donna is loyal to Opie, even after he spends 5 years in prison. Donna's life is immensely troubled by Opie's involvement in the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, and what she views as the twisted sense of loyalty that Opie has for them. Despite constantly being told that she is family by the club and they will always look out for her, Donna is not so sure.

Donna demonstrates that she cares about her family above all else, when her family is targeted by June Stahl who is attempting to take down SAMCRO, Donna is torn between staying loyal to Opie and by extension SAMCRO, or giving them up so that her family can live free of the club. The decision for Donna is easy, knowing the love Opie holds for his brother's in the club, they brush off Stahl's proposition.

Tragically for Donna, the club aren't so sure of her loyalty.

Season 1[]

"Pilot"[]

Donna is furious to learn that Harry "Opie" Winston, her husband is running with the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original again. Opie has just gotten out of prison after serving 5 years for arson which he committed with the club. Donna believes that the club sold Opie out and being back with them will only lead to trouble for their family.

"Seeds"[]

Donna and Opie speak about their finances, their 3 months behind on their truck payment and Donna is concerned it will be reposessed.

At the store, Donna is unable to pay for her groceries, she leaves some behind and exits. As Donna goes to leave, she is approached by Gemma Teller-Morrow, wife of Clarence "Clay" Morrow, the President of SAMCRO. Donna is less than grateful at seeing Gemma has paid for her groceries. Gemma says that SAMCRO will always be there for Donna and she is family. Donna tells Gemma she doesn't need them and wants nothing to do with the club, insisting that Opie is out. Nevertheless, Gemma invites the Winston family to dinner with the Teller's that night, insisting that she comes.

"Giving Back"[]

Jackson "Jax" Teller and Opie are clearing out Opie's garage looking for baby gear in preparation for Jax's son to come home from the hospital. Donna learns that Opie is assisting at the charity fundraiser led by Gemma. Donna is sceptical of both Gemma and the fundraiser but Opie insists it isn't a "club thing".

At the fundraiser, Donna recogises Kyle Hobart, a former member of the club that she knows Opie used to be friends with, she asks about him and why he left the club, but Opie is quick to change the subject.

Jax approaches Donna, he tells her that Opie isn't happy and the half in/half out life with the club and his family is getting to him, it is also very dangerous. Donna tells Jax she wants Opie out, just like Kyle. Jax admits to Donna that Kyle was kicked out of the club, and he is the reason that Opie went to prison. Donna's head spins as she tells Jax that Opie never mentioned this to her. Jax says that Opie isn't a rat, he is real brother who would never turn on one of his own. Jax tells Donna that Opie will never leave the club, his past actions demonstrate that, she is going to need to live with it and stop hating SAMCRO.

"Hell Followed"[]

Donna arrives at the clubhouse furious with Opie. His boss from the lumber mill called and he will be fired unless he shows up to his next shift. Donna says Opie she will not put up with his devotion to the club anymore. Donna leaves and takes the kids to her mother's.

"Better Half"[]

ATF Agent June Stahl pays a visit to Donna, she tries to use Donna's financial problems and Opie's connection with the club to cause her to turn on him, knowing the family are going through some difficulties. Donna is defiant, telling Stahl she doesn't know anything about the club and even if she did, she certainly wouldn't tell her, calling Stahl a bitch and telling her to get out of her house.

Opie returns home to deliver some cash to Donna, enough to cover 2 mortgage payments. He sees she is packing and becomes enraged when she says she is going to find a place to live near her mother's. Opie yells at Donna, demanding to know why she didn't leave in the 5 years he imprisoned; he continues, saying that Donna knows the club is the only life Opie knows and that is how he earns, he is doing it for his family. If Donna can't accept that, she should go.

"Capybara"[]

Late at night, Stahl returns to the Winston's residence, she takes Opie and the family in to federal custody and doesn't say much.

Stahl then visits Donna who is in a seperate part of the building to Opie, Stahl has the kids taken away whilst she speaks to Donna. Stahl inquires how Donna was able to pay off three months worth of their mortgage in one cash payment but Donna asys that she didn't ask. Stahl gets out two sketches of Opie and Bobby, telling Donna that she believed Opie had something to do with the murder. This causes Donna to crack and she asks if Opie is going back to jail. Stahl says he isn't but from SAMCRO's perspective, only one person could've informed on Bobby and that was Opie, as it isn't public knowledge there is another witness who really saw the murder happen. Stahl continues to show sympathy and is honest that Opie's situation is looking dire and she claims that is why they have been picked up as they are all in danger and she can only protect from for one more day before she has to release Opie. Donna insists that Jax wouldn't let anything happen to Opie but Stahl says that without her help, Opie is going to end up in prison or dead.

Donna is allowed to see Opie who tells Donna that Stahl has framed him and makes it look like he has turned on the club already. Donna attempts to convince him to work with Stahl, believing it is their only hope. Opie refuses, saying that living life in witness protection is barely a life.

Mary Winston, Opie's mother arrives to pick up the kids. Donna tell Mary that the believe Opie is involved in a shooting and Mary tells Donna that they wouldn't be taking so many measures without proper evidence. Mary condemns Opie and Piermont "Piney" Winston, her ex-husband and Opie's father who is also a member of the club. Mary hisses that they are both criminals and Opie has made his choice despite her best attemtps to keep him away from the outlaw life. Mary tells Donna that is she had half a brain she would take the kids and run.

Opie and Donna agree to leave the facility, Stahl tries to reason with them one final time but they are uninterested.

"The Sleep of Babies"[]

Donna arrives at the SAMCRO clubhouse to speak to Opie. She says that Mary wants to take the kids to Fun Town but she wanted to check with him first, Opie agrees and Donna tells Opie he should talk to his mother again. Opie and Donna also agree to go to Jax's coming home party for Abel later.

At Abel's coming home party, Opie and his family prepare to leave, Donna tells Opie that she wants to stay behind to help Gemma clear up, the pair switch cars as Opie gets in her car to drive the kids home and Donna gets in the truck to head in to town to get some cleaning supplies for Gemma.

As Donna drives home, a black SUV pulls up behind her and begins shooting, Donna is shot in the head and killed instantly.

Trivia[]

  • As seen in "A Mother's Work", Opie was buried next to her following his death.

Gallery[]

Images[]

Trading Cards[]

Appearances[]

Appearances-Logo-SOA Season 1 appearances
"Pilot" "Seeds" "Fun Town" "Patch Over" "Giving Back"
"AK-51" "Old Bones" "The Pull" "Hell Followed" "Better Half"
"Capybara" "The Sleep of Babies" "The Revelator"
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