Follow us on Google News

Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed

In a world of kings and men, Cersei Lannister made herself the most powerful and ruthless of them all. But crafting such a character – as villainous in her desires as fraught with wretched misfortune – only an actor like Lena Headey could have pulled off an irredeemable arc as the one she portrayed inGame of Thrones.

Lena Headey in Game of Thrones Season 8 [Credit: HBO]

However, when it comes to appreciating the fictional queen, Headey would be the first in line to say she is in awe of her. After all, only a fierce character like hers would refuse to be subdued by the humiliation of the Walk of Shame and instead blow up the entire Sept full of fanatics (and the young queen trying to take her place) as revenge.

Cersei Lannister: A Subject of Terror and Admiration

When asked about her character inGame of Thrones,Lena Headeywas quite clear as to where she stood in her perception of Cersei:“a self-serving manipulator.”But as she grew older and more acquainted with her alter ego, Headey came to a different understanding.

She’s a woman surviving in a really s–tty world desperate to be heard, saying something seven times when a man says it once.

Nikolaj Coster Waldau and Lena Headey as Jaime and Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones [Credit: HBO]

From that perspective, she is to be admired rather than ostracized or feared. However, Cersei Lannister has been labeled as the central antagonist of the HBO series with good reason and the poor-tragic-me routine would make her livid rather than help the audience sympathize with her.

“It’s maybe the first time that Cersei has been at peace”: Lena Headey Initially Wanted a Better Death For Her Game of Thrones Character

After dealing with trauma, grief, and inequality of her own, Cersei Lannister took control of her fate and carved up the world in her design to make up for the lackluster destiny that the witch prophesied about her. In the end, although she did lose everything, Cersei clawed back to the Iron Throne and made sure that not even the gods could keep her from taking what was hers.

Lena Headey Remains in Awe of Cersei Lannister

Lena Headey doesn’t sympathize with herGame of Thronesarc but she sure does admire her. When asked about Cersei’s arc after Season 6 which ends with her blowing up the Sept and ascending to the throne herself, Headeyclaims:

I couldn’t believe that moment. I never saw that coming in a million years, I never thought she’d have the balls to finally go, “All right then, I guess I’ll f—ing do it.” It was a great moment. I’m sure getting the seat of power is never comfortable on every level. But she’s aware. She’s aware of all of the s–t, the pain she’s created for everybody.

“It’s maybe the first time that Cersei has been at peace”: Lena Headey Initially Wanted a Better Death For Her Game of Thrones Character

“Cersei would let the Seven Kingdoms burn rather than give up her child”: Even the Most Hated Game of Thrones Character Ranks Above Alicent Hightower After House of the Dragon Season 2 Finale

In spite of the pain and terror inflicted by her hands, up until Season 6, her actions could all be justified as a mother’s attempt to protect her children. But after her actions led to Tommen giving up the crown and jumping out of a castle window, Cersei truly had nothing and no one stopping her from taking what she wanted all along – true and absolute power to make the world bow to her will.

Game of Thronesis streaming on Max.

Diya Majumdar

Senior Writer

Articles Published :2408

Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.

More from Diya Majumdar

Kevin Hart Is Trading Dwayne Johnson for Another WWE Star in New Netflix Film

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein First Look Photos Decoded: Is it the Darkest Netflix Film Yet?

Kevin Costner and Jake Gyllenhaal Go On a Honeymoon in Crazy Stupid Love Directors’ New Movie

One Piece: Why Luffy’s Final Fight Will Break Shonen (& It Won’t Be Against Imu or Blackbeard)

‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Season 10 Episode 9: Release Date and What to Expect

NYT Strands June 24, 2025 Hints and Solution

You Can Finally Watch Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Blockbuster at Home: Digital Release Date Revealed - Report

NYT Pips Solution for June 01, 2025

‘Game of Thrones’ Cast Ranked by Net Worth: Who’s the Richest GOT Actor?

cersei lannisterGame of ThronesLena Headey

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister [Credit: HBO]

“Cersei would let the Seven Kingdoms burn rather than give up her child”: Even the Most Hated Game of Thrones Character Ranks Above Alicent Hightower After House of the Dragon Season 2 Finale