Why Game of Thrones star Lena Headey would love to say and do all those nasty things in real life
Famous for playing Cersei on the hit HBO series, the British actress says she would love to star in UK soap Coronation Street or a Pedro Almodóvar film next – but only after learning Spanish first
Game of Thrones star Lena Headey turns 46 on October 3. Here, the British actress tells us about playing Cersei Lannister on the HBO phenomenon, avoiding interviews, and why she’d like to try a comedy or a soap next.
1. She loved playing Cersei on Game of Thrones – flawed as the character was
Playing Cersei has changed my life and she’s one of the greatest characters you can imagine playing. She’s filled with terror and paranoia and she tries to ignore the hurricane around her as much as possible and doesn’t want to listen to people who are trying to explain to her what is really going on.
There are so many layers to her and you become swept up in her struggles and everything she’s had to face. I see her more as a woman who’s tormented and suffered through a terrible childhood, and her adult life is a reflection of that pain and confusion.
It’s been so much fun to play a character and say and do all those nasty things that you can’t do in real life – even though sometimes you would love to be able to do certain things.
I think the best female roles are being created now. There seems to be great roles for women, and you don’t necessarily have to be a young woman. Suddenly, we’re realising that generally women are interesting, and they can also be weird and crazy and mean. [That’s why] Cersei is such a gift. There is everything in there to be had. I think times are changing.
I’d love to do a Pedro Almodóvar film – although I’d have to learn Spanish
2. She may be known for playing tough characters – not just Cersei, but Gorgo in 300, Ma-ma in Dredd and the title role in TV spin-off Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicle – but that really isn’t her