Lena Headey

Lena Kathren Headey, born on October 3, 1973, is a highly acclaimed English actress renowned for her versatile performances across film, television, and voice acting.
She first gained prominence in the entertainment industry with her role as Cersei Lannister in the HBO fantasy epic Game of Thrones, a character for which she received widespread acclaim. Throughout the show's run from 2011 to 2019, Headey garnered five Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award nomination, solidifying her status as one of the most compelling talents in the television landscape.


Headey's cinematic journey began with her debut in the British film The Clothes in the Wardrobe (US: The Summer House) in 1992, where she shared the screen with esteemed actresses Jeanne Moreau, Joan Plowright, and Julie Walters. Subsequently, she appeared in a range of British and American films, including notable works like Waterland (1992), The Remains of the Day (1993), The Jungle Book (1994), Mrs Dalloway (1997), Ripley's Game (2002), and Imagine Me & You (2005).


However, it was her lead roles in The Brothers Grimm (2005) and the epic historical action film 300 (2006) that propelled her to international stardom. In 300, Headey portrayed Queen Gorgo, a performance that further showcased her formidable acting prowess and contributed to the film's widespread success.
Beyond her film endeavors, Headey has made significant contributions to television, starring as Sarah Connor in the science fiction series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008–2009). She also lent her voice to various animated series, including Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018–2020), Infinity Train (2019–2021), Danger Mouse (2015–2017), and Tales of Arcadia (2017–2018; 2020), as well as the puppet series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019).


Headey's diverse talent extends to the realm of video games, as she provided voices for characters in Risen (2009) and the video game tie-in film Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016).
Throughout her illustrious career, Lena Headey has consistently demonstrated her remarkable range and versatility, earning her a place among the most respected and admired figures in the entertainment industry.



Lena Kathren Headey was born on October 3, 1973, in Hamilton, a city located in the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. Her parents, Sue and John Headey, are both English, with her father serving as a police officer in the Bermuda Police Service at the time of her birth. Lena has a younger brother named Tim. The Headey family eventually returned to England when Lena was five years old, initially settling in Somerset.
During her childhood, Lena took ballet lessons and discovered her passion for acting. Her first foray into the world of performance occurred while she was a student at Shelley College. At the age of 17, Lena's talent caught the attention of scouts when she participated in a school production at the prestigious Royal National Theatre. This led to her being cast in her debut film role in the 1992 movie Waterland, marking the beginning of her remarkable acting career.


At the age of 17, Lena Headey had a pivotal moment in her career when she performed in a one-off show. A casting agent spotted her talent, took a photo, and invited her to audition for roles. This led to her obtaining a supporting role in the drama film Waterland (1992), where she had the opportunity to work alongside seasoned actors. She also had a small role in the critically acclaimed 1993 drama The Remains of the Day, which garnered numerous Academy Awards nominations.
Headey's career continued to flourish throughout the 1990s in England, with notable appearances in television series such as Soldier Soldier alongside Robson Green and Jerome Flynn. She portrayed Collette in Kay Mellor's Band of Gold TV series in 1996 and starred in Kavanagh QC in 1997 as Natasha Jackson.


In Disney's The Jungle Book (1994), Headey played Kitty Brydon, the childhood friend and romantic interest of Mowgli. Despite moderate commercial success, her performance received praise from critics. She also appeared in the romantic drama Mrs. Dalloway (1997) opposite Vanessa Redgrave and the drama film Onegin (1999) alongside Ralph Fiennes and Liv Tyler.
In the early 2000s, Headey continued to diversify her roles. She played a newly promoted lawyer in the romantic comedy Aberdeen (2000), for which she received the Silver Iris Award for Best Actress at the 2001 Brussels European Film Festival. She portrayed a troubled college student in the psychological drama Gossip (2000) alongside Kate Hudson. In The Parole Officer (2001), she took on the role of a police officer, receiving mixed reviews for her performance.


Headey's versatility was further showcased in Possession (2002), where she played a Victorian lesbian artist, and in Ripley's Game (2002), portraying the wife of a terminally ill art framer. She also appeared in the comedy The Actors (2003) opposite Dylan Moran and Michael Caine. Additionally, Headey lent her voice to the character Callista in the video game Dishonored.

References

1.  "Screen Two: The Clothes in the Wardrobe". BBC. 17 January 1993. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
2. ^ "The Clothes in the Wardrobe". IMDb. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
3. a b "Lena Headey". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014.
4. ^ Jump up to:
5. a b Wolff, Jennifer (5 October 2010). "Lena Headey Profile: She's Beautiful When She's Angry". Men's Health. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
6. ^ Headey, Lena (12 February 2019). "Episode 160". Unqualified (Interview). Interviewed by Anna Faris. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
7. ^ "Lena Heady on Letterman". YouTube. 1 April 2008. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
8. ^ Campling, Katie (16 January 2008). "Lena gets ready to terminate TV ratings". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012.
9. ^ "Waterland". IMDb. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
10. ^ "Kavanagh QC (TV Series 1995–2001) – IMDb". IMDb. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
11. ^ "The Jungle Book". IMDb. Archived from the original on 22 July 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
12. ^ Berardinelli, James. "Review: The Jungle Book (1994)". Reel Reviews. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
13. ^ "The Jungle Book (1994)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
14. ^ "Lena Headey in Mrs. Dalloway – video dailymotion". Dailymotion. 12 July 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
15. ^ "Hello Magazine Filmography — Liv Tyler". Hello!. Hello! Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2008.