Harry Potter and Peaky Blinders actor Helen McCrory has died at age 52, after a “heroic battle with cancer.”
Known for playing formidable women, Helen McCrory, first stole our hearts as the intimidating yet somewhat likeable Narcissa Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series. Her character had a interesting arc as she questioned her loyalty to the Dark Lord while trying to protect her son, Malfoy.
She was reportedly cast initially as Bellatrix Lestrange, but had to pull out of the role due to pregnancy.
As Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders, she was the emotional anchor of the show to many fans. Creator of the show, Stephen Knight, said: “Helen was one of the great actors of her generation. She was so powerful and controlled and this is so sad.”
Fellow actor Cillian Murphy also paid tribute, saying he was “broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend”, and that she was “a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being.
Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley in Harry Potter, also wrote an obit, describing her as a “sublime talent, and a lovely person.”
https://twitter.com/chrisrankin/status/1383107782602330112?s=20
Homeland star Damian Lewis was married to the actor, and they had two children together. Last year they raised £1m to provide frontline health workers with meals from high end restaurants during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
The couple also did charity work for the Prince’s Trust, appearing on Good Morning Britain as recently as six weeks ago.
Lewis wrote the heartbreaking announcement on Twitter this morning.
— Damian Lewis (@lewis_damian) April 16, 2021
“The beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from family and friends,” he said.
“She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and we know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives.”
RIP Helen.
You can read more about this topic over at the Film & TV Observer.
Check out Helen McCrory as Aunt Polly in ‘Peaky Blinders’:
