The Cast Remembers: Lena Headey on Playing Cersei Lannister | Game of Thrones: Season 8 (HBO)

Headey shares her favorite screen partners and what advice she would give to Cersei.

[@wstallion100]

I love the way she says, "Baby Sophie, Baby Maisie, Baby Isaac" that was so sweet of her!!!

[@BlushGush]

Cersei and her real 3 babies :)

[@lNSOl]

@@BlushGush yeah exactly she was talking about them like if they were her real babies

[@BlushGush]

@@lNSOl She just posted Maisie kicking ass on her instagram. It's ADORABLE.

[@Duzz1412]

@@BlushGush what does Maisie do?

[@eureka7876]

Yeah, she sounds like their mother. It's so sweet.

[@danielshevchenko3415]

Cersei: I really wanted those elephants Lena Headey: I really wanted that hat

[@keyjiet314]

her name literally in the title of the vid my man.....

[@CandideSchmyles]

So well put. You need to hear her as Lena to appreciate just how brilliantly she played Cercei. Certainly in my top 5 acted roles of all time.

[@thorhighguarden3630]

@@keyjiet314 i dont get it did he spell her name wrong then edit it right ?

[@thorhighguarden3630]

@@keyjiet314 oh cercei lol cersei*

[@thorhighguarden3630]

@@danielshevchenko3415 just read it to fast to notice a spelling error

[@shmookins]

The switch is amazing between a smiling laughing gentle person then they cut to her character and all you can feel is cold and fear. That's a sign of a good actor.

[@joshb20101]

And she's not making the obvious choices.

[@naomidixon4640]

She narrates the Mercedes adverts in the UK (possibly elsewhere) and every time I hear one I immediately feel like I should buy one or I'll be in trouble!

[@amplelola23]

Same with Emilia clarke. The casting directors really knocked it out of the park

[@arianagonzalez2523]

​@@naomidixon4640 I'm sorry, do you remember what these adverts where? Like, how to search for them

[@kellydeery3017]

The fact she never got an Emmy is a literal crime

[@annalucy89]

Agreed.

[@amilidis]

I have developed this theory that she never got the Emmy because she played Cercei so well, that people actually got to despise her in real life

[@durgeshkinnerkar2826]

Even Keri Russell for The Americans....who tf got Emmys then?

[@ethanlora6054]

@@durgeshkinnerkar2826 probably would've gotten one if it wasn't for Breaking Bad, she still should have gotten one

[@priyeshpal987]

And so as emilia Clarke

[@bshayer4761]

I swear house Lannister has the best characters and the best actors/actress in the entire show.

[@ohnoqurl]

bshayer Thank you for appreciating them! Lannister fans are by far the most intelligent fans in the realm. We see past their hard exterior combined with people hating them for insecure, often incorrect, reasons. Much love! 🦁👑

[@benji5529]

hell yeah. Lannister fam🔥🦁

[@dresko6072]

Ramsay Bolton

[@jellylion2521]

Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Charles Dance are probably the best actors on the show. The Lannisters definitely have the best acting.

[@pranjal967]

Agree. I always rooted for the characters, Kings Landing story or anywhere that involved a Lannister automatically became more interesting than anything else.

[@nikitanair5283]

She's so beautiful in real life. But when she's in character. My God. There's no one I hate more.. She's done a bloody fucking brilliant job. Love Lena.

[@TheFever77]

you NEVER follow 'bloody' with fucking! I can tell you're not British.

[@lirvaen]

@@TheFever77 So... that's a bad thing that he isn't British?

[@TheFever77]

Seraffim ... not at all you are what you are and you should be proud of that, all I’m saying is if you’re gonna use a colloquialism from a particular country then make sure you’re using it correctly. What he/she said sounded off-key, that’s all.

[@nikitanair5283]

@@TheFever77 No, SHE is Indian and proud. And I don't bloody care, now buh-bye.

[@saigonbuyers2109]

@@TheFever77 you made a good point.

[@jumpin4smoke2]

Being an extra during the walk of shame and standing two feet beside Lena at various moments of shooting was otherwordly but the moment I will carry forever with me were seconds before they said 'action' Lena was throwing dirty jokes with the crew and having a laugh and in 5 seconds she squeezed her arm and leg fingers, closed her eyes and when she opened them there was Cersei right there all beaten and bullied in an instant. To lay my eyes on such transformation was just SPECTACULAR. Thank you Lena!!!!

[@saadkiremye770]

Amazing

[@mustafa-cx2fg]

wasn't it a stunt actress who did the walk of shame

[@AM-xu4nn]

mustafa exposed😂

[@krisiolsacher1049]

mustafa yes they used a body double but Lena also shot the scene so they could combine both

[@ramennoodlesokur7561]

Wait where did they shoot kings landing or was it a set in guessing

[@volterian3704]

Hands down best actress is the show. I don't know if it was the production or just Lena's acting but Cersei in the show is a much "richer" character.

[@invictus7736]

Possibly that Cersei in the books is a lot crazier and whinier than in the show.

[@tiffanyrose9446]

Agreed. Her character is so evil and she plays its sooooooo damn good where is her Emmy

[@MarkTarsis]

I think she's an underrated actress. I honestly don't even recognize her as the same person in many roles(Sarah Conner Chronicles, Ma Ma in Dredd) because she seems like a totally different person in them.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

@rxp56 What's your issues with "females", pal?))) Not getting laid, I suppose?)

[@swaggurlmoney]

She was in the purge as well

[@dalnimoujo1496]

i strongly believe that Cersei is the one of the VERY few characters in TV who you have absolutely balanced feelings of loving and hating her at the same time which i think what makes an excellent actor....

[@wowwee0]

Yes! Unlike Ramsay and Joffrey who just has unanimous hatred toward their characters. Although I will say both of those actors are also excellent. Cersei is just more dynamic and complex.

[@Selkie7]

Yup

[@SuperMovieLvr933]

I wish we actually got to go inside her head more when she was queen. I wanted to see more of her ruthlessness when her kids weren't there to calm her down. Oh well, she played her amazingly either way. the

[@taesang5664]

is it weird if i dont hate cersei? because i dont think im supporting a character to win the throne in general. so when she does something horrible, i can only see a woman fighting for her house. i only ask that the progression to whoever sits in the end be amazing. although.... my expectations have been dumbed down quite a lot given what has happened over this season.

[@lisashrimp]

@@SuperMovieLvr933 in the books you get to be in her head. it makes you appreciate the character even more

[@user-tz9tx3pu3e]

She deserves every best actor award for her character Cersei Lannister!

[@lNSOl]

let's hope she gets the Emmy and every possible award this year. Lena deserves the best cause she's the best!

[@Selkie7]

Crazy she hasnt gotten am emmy yet...

[@yuibot5998]

She deserves one for sure, unfortunately the writing was so shitty this season, I really doubt it happens. Not her fault.

[@lNSOl]

@@yuibot5998 yeah no one can deny that the writing was so weak and has no rationality even though she did a GREAT job I mean her performance was about just 25 mins the whole season but she was the master!

[@subhaanullah4507]

She doesn't

[@dreamfyre3868]

I really wish she would have gotten one! :,(

[@Tony_100x]

Cercei was the nucleus character in GoT. Her character was the most interesting. From her point of view she made all decisions for the better of her family especially for her kids. She didn’t intentionally wanted to become a villainous character but her circumstances made her choose to do bad things. Her story is a beautiful tragedy.

[@At-kc1rc]

Lol sure

[@Tony_100x]

Miss Thapa haha. I get that type of reaction all the time when I defend Cercei. But really think about it. Throw Bran out the window: Jaime Chopped off Ned’s head: Joffrey Killed Robert’s bastard babies: Joffrey Red Wedding: Tywin Bad things she did was all for revenge. Only time she killed innocents was when she blew up the Sept but that was collateral damage. She was not going to be judged by a crazy religious fanatic. She was Queen Regent.

[@jwmoon1989]

I think you wanna say she did what she 'thought' was for the better of her family

[@joshb20101]

Blowing up the Sept....it's all for the children. It was for the children...

[@Tony_100x]

Jeongwoo Moon true. What she believed was for the good of her children and family.

[@derrickjuma4479]

"Power is Power" - The most iconic scene ever!!!

[@joepeake8972]

nah, that honour belongs to the Red Wedding

[@misssincere5762]

When you play the game of thrones you even win or you die!

[@MilA-eh3gf]

Good people of HBO, can we get more actor interviews with Alfie Allen? Theon was there from the start. What a complex character well-designed, well-written, and well-acted! The look on his face when Yara said they were sailing back to take the Iron Islands... Alfie Allen said it all with his face without uttering a sound. Plus, he essentially played 4 characters in the show, and played one of them pretending to be another (Reek pretending to be Theon at Moat Cailin)! I wish HBO would do an Alfie Allen/Theon featurette! "The Cast Remembers" theon video please?

[@audioamateur]

I have to agree with you, very good actor

[@katmacaballug8778]

I totally agree! Alfie is one if the best actors of GOT. The way he played Reek was extraordinary

[@corsicanlulu]

yes so underrated. my fav character in the show. he played like 3 characters in one, he deserves to at least be nominated

[@anneehka7863]

How did she never get an Emmy? She’s by far the best actress in the show..

[@thanostsarbos1197]

Lena Headey and Cersei was like 50% of what the show was.

[@Marianne-vw9ci]

lena headey is a QUEEN

[@area51r]

you're a queen

[@mindlesswonderingson]

If we want a queen we must wait for her, and boooooooooy did we wait

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

She has the Vanessa Redgrave type

[@Corusame]

Only Lena can get away with a classy 'just got out of bed' look. Legend.

[@Balerion_The_BlackDread]

You can love her, hate her but cannot ignore her coz she's bloody brilliant at her job. One of the finest actor across all the seasons of GOT.

[@yumnaamjad2637]

Lannisters were best characters and portrayed by best actors😭

[@ohnoqurl]

Thank you for appreciating them! Lannister fans are by far the most intelligent fans in the realm. We see past their hard exterior combined with people hating them for insecure, often incorrect, reasons. Much love! 🦁👑

[@cjv8522]

Lannisters were by far the most interesting ones.

[@vincent1420]

GoT would be nothing without them

[@povelvieregg165]

@@ohnoqurl I think it is perfectly valid to hate them as people while loving them as characters. My favorite was by far Tyrion Lannister in terms of who I cheered most for. I also think Jamie Lannister grew a lot as a person. What I liked most about Game of Thrones is that it showed that almost nobody is evil in vacuum. Evil people are usually the product of an environment and circumstances, and people can change. For Cersei it was hard to change because her blind hate and bitterness prevented her from ever seeing reality. I see so much of that problem in the real world.

[@blackpowderuser373]

#TeamLannister ❤️🦁

[@april00026000]

She's one of the best actresses, every scene she's in, even with other big actors/actresses, she always manages to steal my attention

[@gregoryking4796]

Cersei before the sept: "My sole purpose is to destroy Tyrion" Cersei after the atonement: "My sole purpose is to destroy everything"

[@just_cade]

This show would not have been possible without Cersei. She is the villain, but she is the pivotal character, her actions affect the story the most.

[@realitybites629]

There are villains and there are VILLAINS. Cersei is to GoT what the Joker is to the dark night.

[@y2123-l8c]

@wolfbitch82 lol

[@SarahAndBoston]

Best actor on the show! Lena you are a force.

[@music12stuff]

I almost cried too! Definitely going to ball my eyes out watching the final season

[@yuibot5998]

The writing made me ball my eyes out, in between rolling them.

[@daenerystargaryen5171]

I love her character, she's an incredible actress and a lovely person and she deserves the best. Thank you Lena.

[@kunalbilaney1188]

There's no GOT without Lena Headey.

[@orionaugustwatson]

All I know is Lena deserved an Emmy,for all the seasons in my opinion. It's a shame that outstanding actors like her and Alfie didn't win, despite delivering amazing performances every time they appeared on screen.

[@gumarasw]

I don't want her to die. Watching her in this show is pure gold! She has nailed every character she played. What a force!

[@SMbigpapi]

I couldn't imagine anybody else playing Cersei!! Lena Killed It!!

[@12fashionlady]

I love how the Light of the seven has officially become Cersei's song

[@hawksasuke97]

An epic song for an epic character

[@CheefChaos]

Cersai Lannister is the Godfather / Michael Corleone of a new generation.

[@bigchungus5933]

*Geoffrey dies* LOOK HOW THEY MASSACRED MY BOY

[@aichabt8869]

Oh I love this

[@CP025129]

Fully agree. Cersei had the Sept of Baelor. Michael Corleone had the baptism scene.

[@RawBlood365]

Vitto is definetly Tywin.

[@ladyvader2648]

My two favorites

[@NanzaCatelli]

Lannister characters and actors are best of the show periodt

[@tancreddehauteville9983]

Agree 👌

[@vanessar4853]

The Lannisters are the best and always will be! Their characters are unique and their stories are very emotional to watch. They would do everything to protect their family and beloved ones...The Lannisters shouldn’t been hated but earn respect and comprehension. Also a great compliment to the actors who played such difficult roles brilliantly. Well done!

[@teppi5119]

I love her view point on Cersei. So much in fact I think I may be rooting for Cersei. 🙀

[@paulinegallagher7821]

I loved the scenes between herself and Tyrion, or any scene where she nearly betrays herself by showing empathy or vulnerability. She could do so much with a facial expression. The scene in season 2 when shes having dinner with her children and Sansa , and Sansa is pledging her love for Joffery , you can see in her eyes that she feels empathy for Sansa, but then quick as anything, her face changes and she becomes cold and mean.

[@dreadlight7760]

You are so great on the way you described it! Indeed

[@humanbeing2427]

Strongest lady of GOT

[@naomiwinters3738]

Tell that to Daenerys, a woman who was running away from assasins all her life, living in poverty and was sold as a slave and raped but managed to get an army and 3 dragons

[@brian4480]

@Kürassier1806 What the F are you gabbing about? I know all about the last 35 years of this world. Cersei is a lazy nutjob cunt... Lena is a acting god for pulling her off as she did.

[@AhryaStark]

CAN U GIVE HER THE HAT AND THE ELEPHANTS ALREADY ?

[@sushmita9040]

Honestly the best actor/actress of the whole show.

[@Cnith]

Lena did a great job. Seldom have I loved and hated a character as much as hers at the same time. Especially her little mind games were awesome.

[@jennifercarson4757]

She deserved an award for her portrayal of Cersei.

[@eliazz129]

The Queen of acting

[@shinigami1357]

Lena Headley as Cersei Lannister has got to be one of the greatest casting decisions in history.

[@ctruth6185]

Thank You Lena Heady for bringing your indelible portrayal of Queen Cersei, Lannister, Baratheon to life. You lit the soul of t he character of Queen Cersei with fire!

[@nicosrm]

Lena, you are an amazing actress! I will miss you very much! You have done a GREAT job! You are one of the most talented actors I have ever seen! Thank you very much!

[@ChenLiYaun]

every scene with Tyrion/Cersei/Tywin is pure Gold

[@crazyking8139]

That background music Enough music for today

[@b1gb0ss36]

Crazy KING was that a new track it sounded like it ?

[@samsterx100]

B1G B0SS that’s what I thought !!! Possibly a new track

[@3vilgun]

@@samsterx100 which part? Pretty sure its light of the seven and rains of Castemere

[@b1gb0ss36]

Suf YaN 3:00

[@samsterx100]

@@3vilgun I noticed it particularly from 1:44 onwards, it is defo the lannister, Rains of Castamere, theme but it seems like a variation of it we havent heard before, a lot more epic.

[@kittytsutskiridze3117]

I love her. She's brilliant. I have never seen such a biiig and huge difference between the actor and the character. She's sweet and warm and comfortable and hugsy and when she is playing, she is cold, you feel fear, and you feel every bit of emotion she is feeling. She is an amazing actor, I don't know how to explain it better but I want to be as good as she is at her job, at my job. 🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@JunayedMahin]

Ive never seen a more badass female character in my life. And she nailed it .respect

[@lizarjusti]

Best actress in the show

[@hexbolt9390]

In my opinion the best character on the show

[@DG-sz8tj]

After Carl Tanner

[@jojogang1012]

You mean ned

[@hexbolt9390]

Mister Smart I mean no, because it’s my opinion. Lol.

[@borgyoh]

you forgot tywin

[@toallin5146]

Totally agree, no other character has got the amazing progression that led to, for me, the most satisfactory and unbelievable episode on the show (alongside the best song, Light of the Seven).

[@musicheckler1919]

Give Lena Headey her Emmy already ! She is always awesome. She deserves it!

[@kate.3110]

How she has never got an emmy?!She is freaking brilliant and her acting is phenomenal

[@OfficialXivil]

Cersei is one of the best written characters in the entire show, showing pretty much every emotion a woman/queen/mother can express. Lena was the perfect choice!

[@adamahmad8800]

Lena headey MADE ME love the character to death her portrayal of this character is just MIND BLOWING and outstanding imo

[@StrongyHot]

Her perfomance is amazing! The way how she play Cersei is beyond the life

[@barbramtz]

I love Cersei! She’s one truly amazing character ❤️

[@soulreaver4993]

How utterly brilliant she’s been. Brava, Lena. Brava.

[@blobcity3591]

puke

[@IvaN-cf7qt]

*bravo

[@afelix]

@@IvaN-cf7qt In Italian (which is where the English _bravo_ comes from), there are different forms of _bravo_ depending on whom you're speaking to: * _bravo_ for a male * _brava_ for a female * _bravi_ for multiple males or multiple people of mixed genders * _brave_ for multiple females So it's technically not wrong to use _brava_ ; in fact, English kind of dumbed it down a bit.

[@daliasaravia1443]

Lena Heady... what a legend for making Cersei one of the most iconic characters!

One of the greatest villains in television history. The most iconic character in GoT hands down

[@kharlkevincordita9932]

lena's smirk scenes are all i couldn't forget of her outstanding portrayal of cersei 😍 i love the way she spits her best lines with her iconic facial expression and body language. 💕

[@Mfh4907]

Headey and Gleeson, thank you for making me hate you with every cell in my body. Just a testament to your phenomenal acting, not just the north, the world never forgets.

[@heavyblueee]

She holds that cup like she holds glass of wine always haha

[@imhere9034]

When they started playing the reigns of castermere I teared up. I love her so much, Cersei too tbh. She's the best actress on the show and I'm going to miss her so much.

[@FaizDar]

0:18 I smile every time I hear this music. Hands down one of the best ever!

[@sakrrdiedei6857]

Best Actress on thrones. PERIOD

[@michelhovel]

She's such an amazing actor, love her!

[@mrwdpkr5851]

i don't care what anyone says , I love Cersei Lannister !

[@mrwdpkr5851]

@KRIMINAL you cared enough to comment !

[@mrwdpkr5851]

@KRIMINAL you did it again !

[@valerio1292]

thank you for your incredible acting on this show, Lena Headey.

[@tancreddehauteville9983]

We will not forget 🥺

[@schwindsichtigaderechte5293]

Any good story needs good villains, and Cersei is easily among the best. Lena Heady played the part so incredibly well, I'm glad and grateful she was on the show!

[@rechabdiaz724]

Best villain in television history, such an amazing job

[@user-dn9om6cx6q]

I love that women! My girl kick a** in season 8! Edit: Really touches me all the people liking and appreciating her performance

[@ror1156]

Last week I was watching The Purge and realized Lena acted there too. Amazing performance as well, great professional, from a Stark fan.

[@sudeepkamble3429]

Her voice is magical . There is something else

[@trenaareen1216]

She truly is an amazing actress. I genuinely look forward to seeing the work she does following GOT.

[@23skidoo46]

you gotta truly appreciate her realness and honesty. damn.

[@shahzaibmubashar8901]

Her Dialogue Delivery ...Her Expressions Everything Is "Priceless"....!!!

[@brownbabydoll7912]

The Queen Will NEVER Die In My Eyes She’s My Favorite Character & Will Forever Live On 👑

[@cisilver5982]

She’s such a brilliant actor! My gawd!

[@brittany4884]

Lena is such an amazing actress, probably the best on the show

[@amethystjess18]

I'm so going to miss Lena 😭 as this character... Despite the character flaws, she is an absolute joy to watch as an actress. She really deserves awards/accolades for her performance as a whole.

[@user-hg6qm9ti1k]

My beautiful queen! Cersei is my favorite character! So complex and intense. And Lena deserves an Emmy for playing Cersei.

[@jancarlosgarcia7823]

oh how much i love her character. my favorite. she'simply the best. love her so.

[@Bacon56ful]

One of the best actress performances ever

[@jupiteribearian737]

Lena Headey is wonderful. I love all of her work. I am also a huge Cersi fan. Hear her roar! Long Live Queen Cersi lol

[@JJ-zy3zv]

She definitely deserved an Emmy

[@amiya05]

She has this awesome face which looks beautiful and prejudiced at the same time, which fits Cersei Lannister perfectly.

[@hunbbelmeer6600]

I can never imagine anyone else playing Cersei Lannister with such perfection. Lena is such a talented actor. She really did that character justice!

[@Galendramatik]

One of the best characters ever written.

[@RodMarion360Vlog]

I love her so much! The character and most specially the actress! Lena is just brilliant!! She is just brilliant!!

[@juneali6]

I love that the Light of the Seven is Cersei's theme song now

[@Prospectgirl]

Stunningly talented actress playing one of the best characters in fantasy. Bravo, Lena, bravo. ::wipes a bit of tear away::

[@kripkethechameleonfriends4505]

Amazing actress, we have to give her that.....She's the villain we adore

[@diane.franco]

I luv Lena Heady and so admire her work as Queen Cersei who's such an unforgettable character. Sooo glad I discovered more of Lena's talent here throughout the years of GoT. It's been a joy watching the show. Nothing as grand as this will ever come again in a long time.

[@gings4ever]

tfw Lena just momentarily unleashed her maternal mode on those three~

[@ezzzipop]

Lena laughing so hard at what Conleth said to her makes my heart happy and curious as to what conleth said lol

[@puffthemajicdragon1]

I totally agree with her the Cersei, Robert scene was amazing.

[@mahitabelshazly9822]

I absolutely love you Cersei. How could you do this character so well. That we hate you and love you at the same time. You are so brilliant. You are the best in this show. Absolutely true talent.

[@MickeyGreenEyes213]

She is AMAZING as Cersei!!! She brings so much humanity to the character and totally gives her more dimension

[@v8Buster87]

this woman has been robbed 7 straight years of her emmy. She is still the best thespian on the show. With a cast full of amazing, and upcoming actors she still shines the brightest. She is such an amazing actress... just give this woman her fucking emmy already.