Lena Headey
Headey at the 2007 Scream Awards.
Born | (1973-10-03) 3 October 1973 (age 40) Bermuda
Nationality | British
Occupation | Actress
Years active | 1992?present
Spouse(s) | Peter Loughran (m. 2007) (filed for divorce)
Children | 1

Lena Headey (born 3 October 1973)[1][2] is an English actress. Headey's performance in a one-off show when she was 17 caught the attention of a casting agent, who took a photo and asked her to audition and eventually she got a supporting role alongside Jeremy Irons and Ethan Hawke in the 1992 British drama film Waterland[2] and went on to appear with higher-profile actors in major films such as The Remains of the Day (1993), The Jungle Book (1994), Onegin (1999) and Aberdeen (2000).

After working steadily as an actress getting small and supporting roles in films throughout the 1990s, she found fame for her lead performances in big-budget films that became well-known like the fantasy film The Brothers Grimm (2005), in which she acted opposite Matt Damon and Heath Ledger, the action period film 300 (2007), portraying the role of Queen Gorgo and the adventure and biographical feature The Red Baron (2008).

She is known for playing the starring role Sarah Connor on Fox's television spin-off of James Cameron's Terminator film series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008?09). Beginning in 2011, she appeared as Cersei Lannister in HBO's television series Game of Thrones.

## Background[edit]

Headey was born in Bermuda, where her father, John, a Yorkshire police cadet, was stationed. She grew up there and in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Headey had her first taste of acting as a pupil at Shelley College and was noticed at 17 when she was spotted performing in a school production at the Royal National Theatre being picked for a role opposite Grant Warnock in the 1992 film Waterland.[3]

Headey has suffered bouts of clinical depression since the age of 15 and she said in an interview: "I was diagnosed when I was 15, and it comes and goes. I may suffer from it once or twice a year, but I now recognise it and deal with it. I don't use medication because I'm so worried about becoming dependent on it, but I can understand people who do, because you go through the most horrendous feelings of isolation".[1]

## Career[edit]

### Early roles[edit]

At the age of 17, Headey performed in a one-off show and afterwards a casting agent took a photo and asked her to audition. Later, she got a supporting role in the British drama Waterland, in which she had the opportunity to work with actors who had been in the business several years before her. She landed a small role in The Remains of the Day, which came out in 1993 and received eight Academy Awards nominations.

She played Katherine in Disney's The Jungle Book, released in 1994. The film had positive reviews and earned nearly $44 million in the United States.[4] Headey, alongside her co-stars received favourable reviews with James Berardinelli praising their "solid performances".[5] On the set of The Jungle Book, she met her boyfriend of nine years, actor Jason Flemyng.

After a string of film roles, she appeared opposite Vanessa Redgrave in the 1997 romantic drama Mrs Dalloway. Headey landed a supporting role in a higher-profile film titled Onegin, which starred Ralph Fiennes and Liv Tyler. The following year, she had the starring role in the comedy-drama Aberdeen. Headey received several good reviews for her performance in the film. She also had roles in 2000's Gossip and 2001's The Parole Officer.

She received the Silver Iris Award for Best Actress at the 2001 Brussels European Film Festival for her role in Aberdeen. In 2003, she was also nominated for the Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress for her performance. In 2002, she had a role in the mystery drama Possession alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart.

### Rise to prominence[edit]

Headey co-starred with Matt Damon and Heath Ledger in Terry Gilliam's The Brothers Grimm, which was released in August 2005. The film received mixed reviews but was a success at the box office. In an interview Headey spoke about her character in the film: "I loved the fact that she was a tomboy. That is what attracted me to her, that she wasn?t this predictable female character in this big film. You meet her and she is masking who she is. I loved that her environment dictated who she is. She lives and grows up and survives in the forest. Terry and I talked about how her instincts are almost animalistic and she can see 360 degrees around her. She is aware of what is going on. That is how she is grounded. She is of the earth".[6]

In 2005 she starred with actress Piper Perabo in the films The Cave and Imagine Me You. The Cave was not well received by critics[7] and did poorly at the box office.[8]

The British romantic comedy-drama Imagine Me You received a limited release and earned positive reviews. Many critics praised Headey's performance as a lesbian in the film; Mick LaSalle from San Francisco Chronicle stated that the actress "has a forthright, irresistible appeal and a face and especially a smile that suggest intelligence, integrity and lots of fun".[9]

Headey at the 300 London premiere

Headey played Queen Gorgo in Zack Snyder's 300, based on Frank Miller's graphic novel. Headey had to do nude scenes in the film. "It?s always weird the thought of taking your clothes off in front of 20 people and then to have it projected in front of many more", she told IndieLondon during an interview. "I think it was necessary because we only get that scene to establish their relationship. It is a very obvious moment but I think it does it in quite a beautiful way."[10]

In addition to her film work, Headey starred in Fox's Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, a television spin-off of James Cameron's popular Terminator franchise. Headey played Sarah Connor from January 2008 to April 2009. The show ran for 31 episodes in two seasons until its cancellation in May 2009. Variety praised "Headey's gritty performance as Sarah ? managing to be smart, resourceful and tough, yet melancholy and vulnerable as well" and that the Chronicles "continue to deliver", getting "considerable mileage out of the constant peril" facing the characters.[11] She was nominated twice for the Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television for the role.

### Low-profile films[edit]

Recent roles include the German film The Red Baron (known in Germany as Der rote Baron), a biographical film of the legendary World War I fighter pilot Manfred von Richthofen, in which she appeared alongside Matthias Schweigh?fer and Joseph Fiennes.[12] Her character was the love interest K?te Otersdorf, a nurse who may or may not have had a romance with Richthofen (Schweigh?fer) in real life.[13] She also appeared as the stuffy Miss Dickinson in the 2007 release of the St. Trinian's series (for which she received third billing for a relatively minor role). She starred in the Ridley Scott produced Tell-Tale, a film based on the short story "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe. The movie went straight to DVD on 25 May 2008.[14]

She also starred in the 2008 horror film The Broken. The film was directed by Academy Award-nominated Sean Ellis.[15] The film was about "a woman who suspects she's being followed around London by a murderous doppelganger".[16] The Broken was screened at the midnight portion of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and generally got average reviews. Some critics praised Headey's performance, including Kim Koynar of Cinematical who wrote that Headey "largely carries the film, and does so quite ably".[17]

She landed the lead part in another horror film titled Laid to Rest, which was first screened in 2008. However, the film went straight to video on 21 April 2009 and earned mixed reviews. Critic Mark H. Harris for About.com stated that the film "has a great look and boasts an impressive cast," referring to both Headey and co-star Thomas Dekker.[18] Headey had a part in a short film called The Devil's Wedding. She provided her voice for an episode of the Cartoon Network TV show The Super Hero Squad Show.

### 2010 onwards[edit]

Headey has wrapped shooting the first two seasons of the HBO series Game of Thrones, based on the first and second books of the series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, where she plays the cruel queen, Cersei Lannister.[19] She had a guest appearance in the hit TV show White Collar in the episode "Taking Account" in which she played the role of Sally. She is nominated for a Scream Award in the category of Best Fantasy Actress.[20]

In 2012, she appeared in the 3D action sci-fi film Dredd alongside Karl Urban and Olivia Thirlby. Her character is Madeline Madrigal (Ma-Ma), the leader of a drug dealing gang, and the project's primary villain.[21] Dredd is a film adaptation of 2000 AD character Judge Dredd.[22] The film was directed by Pete Travis with a script by Alex Garland[23]. In May and June 2012, Lena filmed the fantasy adventure movie Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box[24] throughout South West England, playing the role of Monica, the film is schedule for release in 2013.

## Media[edit]

She has appeared on the covers of TV Guide, g3, Sunday Mirror and Germany's Filmstar. She ranked No. 64 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list. She was listed No. 4, No. 10 and No. 3 in afterellen.com's list Hot 100 in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively.[25] In 2008, Headey spoke out against animal abuse in an advert for animal welfare group PETA.[26]

## Personal life[edit]

Headey was once engaged to Johnny Cicco, and dated actor Jason Flemyng for nine years. She and Flemyng met during the filming of The Jungle Book, and she has a tattoo of his name in Thai on her arm. She married musician Peter Loughran in May 2007.[27] Headey and Loughran have a son, Wylie Loughran, who was born on 31 March 2010.[28] Headey and Loughran separated in 2011 and she filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court on 20 July 2012.[27]

She is close friends with actress Piper Perabo.[29] She is a vegetarian, and has campaigned on behalf of animal rights.[30] She practices boxing and yoga. "I also started Bikram Yoga." She said in an interview: "A few years ago I used to box in London and that held me in good stead".[31]

## Filmography[edit]

Year | Title | Role | Notes
--- | --- | --- | ---
1992 | Clothes in the Wardrobe | Margaret |
1992 | Waterland | Young Mary |
1993 | Century | Miriam |
1993 | Soldier Soldier | Shenna Bowles | TV series (3 episodes)
1993 | Spender | Emily | TV series (2 episodes)
1993 | Remains of the Day, The The Remains of the Day | Lizzie |
1994 | Fair Game | Ellie | TV film
1994 | MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday | Elise Moran |
1994 | Jungle Book, The The Jungle Book | Katherine Anne 'Kitty' Brydon |
1995 | Devil's Advocate | Clare Rigby | TV film
1995 | Loved Up | Sarah |
1995 | Grotesque, The The Grotesque | Cleo Coal |
1996 | Ballykissangel | Jenny | TV series (1 episode
1996-97 | Band of Gold | Colette | TV series (8 episodes
1997 | Kavanagh QC | Natasha Jackson | TV series (1 episode
1997 | Hunger, The The Hunger | Steph Reynolds | TV series (1 episode
1997 | Face | Connie |
1997 | Mrs Dalloway | Young Sally |
1998 | Merlin | Queen Guinevere | TV film
1998 | Man with Rain in His Shoes, The The Man with Rain in His Shoes | Sylvia Weld |
1999 | Inside-Out |  | Short
1999 | Onegin | Olga Larina |
2000 | Ropewalk | Allison |
2000 | Gossip | Cathy Jones |
2000 | Aberdeen | Kairo 'Kaisa' Heller |
2001 | Round About Five | Girlfriend | Short
2001 | Anazapta | Matilda |
2001 | Parole Officer, The The Parole Officer | Emma |
2002 | Gathering Storm, The The Gathering Storm | Ava Wigram |
2002 | Possession | Blanche Glover |
2002 | Ripley's Game | Sarah Trevanny |
2003 | Actors, The The Actors | Dolores |
2003 | No Verbal Response | Dr. Megan Pillay | Short
2004 | Long Firm, The The Long Firm | Ruby Ryder | TV series
2005 | Brothers Grimm, The The Brothers Grimm | Angelika |
2005 | Cave, The The Cave | Kathryn |
2005 | Imagine Me You | Luce |
2006 | Ultra | Penny/Ultra | TV series
2007 | 300 | Queen Gorgo |
2007 | Contractor, The The Contractor | Inspector Annette Ballard |
2007 | St. Trinian's | Miss Dickinson |
2008 | Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | Sarah Connor | TV series
2008 | Broken, The The Broken | Gina McVey |
2008 | Red Baron, The The Red Baron | K?te Otersdorf |
2009 | Laid to Rest | Cindy |
2009 | Tell-Tale | Elizabeth |
2009 | Super Hero Squad Show, The The Super Hero Squad Show | Black Widow, Mystique | TV series
2011-present | Game of Thrones | Cersei Lannister | TV series
2011 | White Collar | The Vulture | TV series (1 episode: "Taking Account")
2012 | Dredd | Ma-Ma |
2012 | Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box | Monica |
2012 | Dishonored | Callista (voice) | Video game
2013 | The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones | Jocelyn Fray |

## Awards and nominations[edit]

Year | Award | Category | Work | Result
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
2001 | Silver Iris Award (at the Brussels European Film Festival) | Best Actress | Aberdeen | Won[32]
2003 | Chlotrudis Award | Best Actress | Aberdeen | Nominated[32]
2007 | MTV Movie Awards | Best Breakthrough Performance | 300 | Nominated[33]
2007 | Teen Choice Award | Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure | 300 | Nominated[32]
2008 | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actress | 300 | Nominated[32]
2008 | Saturn Award | Best Actress on Television | Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | Nominated[32]
2008 | SFX Award | Best Television Actress | Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | Nominated[32]
2009 | Saturn Award | Best Actress on Television | Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | Nominated[32]
2011 | Scream Award | Best Fantasy Actress | Game of Thrones | Nominated[20]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Lena Headey Biography". Lena-Headey.com (fan site). Retrieved 28 October 2012.
2. ^ a b "Lena Headey: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
3. ^ Campling, Katie (16 January 2008). "Lena gets ready to terminate TV ratings". Huddersfield Daily Examiner.
4. ^ "Box Office / Business for The Jungle Book". IMDB. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
5. ^ Berardinelli, James. "Review: The Jungle Book (1994)". Reel Reviews. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
6. ^ "Lena Headey, The Brothers Grimm Interview". Futuremovies.com.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
7. ^ "The Cave (2005)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
8. ^ "The Cave". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
9. ^ LaSalle, Mick (24 June 2011). "She found the perfect wedding florist". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
10. ^ "300 ? Lena Headey interview". IndieLondon.co.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
11. ^ Lowry, Brian (3 September 2008). "Review Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles". Variety. Retrieved 4 September 2008.
12. ^ Meza, Ed (6 February 2007). "Warner flies with 'Baron'". Variety.
13. ^ Smith, David (16 March 2008). "Red Baron recast as a German hero". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 10 October 2011.
14. ^ "Tell Tale Blu-ray and DVD Art". Dread Central. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
15. ^ Barnes=, Jessica (6 December 2006). "Lena Headey Stars In The Broken". Moviefone. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
16. ^ Chang, Justin (22 January 2008). "The Broken Movie Review". Variety.
17. ^ "Sundance Review: The Broken". Cinematical. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
18. ^ "Laid to Rest DVD Review". About.com. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
19. ^ "Quick Hits: Set visits, Headey wraps and cameos". Winter Is Coming. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
20. ^ a b "SCREAM 2011". Spike TV. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
21. ^ Gallagher, Brian (11 January 2011). "Dredd Adds Lena Headey as Ma-Ma". Movieweb.com. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
22. ^ "Pete Travis to Direct 3-D Judge Dredd Reboot". ReelzChannel. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
23. ^ Stewart, Andrew (21 July 2011). "Lionsgate sets 'Dredd' for 2012". Variety (Variety). Retrieved 22 July 2011.
24. ^ Adam Dawtrey (11 April 2012). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118052510. Variety Article. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
25. ^ Warn, Sarah (11 May 2009). "The 2009 AfterEllen.com Hot 100". Afterellen.com. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
26. ^ "Watch Lena Headey in Peta advert". The Guardian (UK). 9 September 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
27. ^ a b "Game of Thrones Star Lena Headey Files for Divorce". People. 25 July 2012.
28. ^ "Wiley's birthdate". Lena Heady Facebook page. 1 April 2011. "Wylie was a year old yesterday .."
29. ^ Lee, Michael J (22 March 2007). "Piper Perabo". Interview. Radio Free Entertainment.
30. ^ "Peta interview". Interview. peta.org.
31. ^ "She'll be back: The new 'Terminator' star Lena Headey". Daily Mail (UK). 8 February 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
32. ^ a b c d e f g "Lena Headey Awards". IMDB. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
33. ^ "MTV Movie Awards Nominees: Pirates, Spartans ? And That Crazy Kazakh". MTV. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2011.

## External links[edit]

Find more about Lena Headey at Wikipedia's sister projects
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- API at the Internet Movie Database

Authority control | WorldCat VIAF: 24811606 LCCN: nr96043771

Persondata
Name | Headey, Lena
Alternative names |
Short description | Actress
Date of birth | 3 October 1973
Place of birth | Hamilton, Bermuda
Date of death |
Place of death |