Lena Headey Reflects on Game of Thrones Backlash

More than ten years after a particularly controversial moment on television, Lena Headey is finally addressing the backlash surrounding Cersei Lannister’s well-known ‘Walk of Redemption’ scene in Game of Thrones.

In an interview, Headey expressed her astonishment at the intensity of the backlash. She mentioned feeling shocked that audiences believed she had deceived them. “It was really surprising to me, the anger that emerged,” she said. “But everyone kind of knew what happened behind the scenes with those 3,000 extras—it was quite the production.”

She went on to explain that while acting is a “joy,” the idea of exposing herself in front of so many people could’ve hindered her ability to navigate the emotional intricacies required for the scene. “If I had been worried about being naked, I don’t think I could have delivered emotionally,” Headey acknowledged. “I would have shifted into full defense mode.”

Looking back, Headey noted that her experiences on set have equipped her with the confidence to assert boundaries, something that younger actresses might struggle to do. “At that time, I was going through a lot,” she shared. “I was in a better position to stand up for myself. I’m not saying others couldn’t, but they were younger and often more vulnerable.”

Reflecting on viewer reactions, she mentioned that some audiences believed she was not a legitimate actress since she did not appear nude in that scene. “I’ve done nude scenes, and I don’t mind them,” she explained, “but I am very emotionally driven, and exposing myself that way could seriously impact my performance.”

She praised body double Rebecca Van Cleve for her role in the demanding project and remarked that filming nude scenes has never been straightforward for her. Balancing her public persona and motherhood, Headey felt that fully exposing herself on camera wasn’t what she desired. “It wasn’t just a phone call; I was there for three days with Rebecca,” she clarified about the shoot.

For Headey, the controversy sheds light on a deeper issue of expectations faced by actresses. “There has always been this rite of passage for young female actors—often involving romantic or sexual scenarios—that made it sound better,” she stated.

When she first entered the industry, she accepted these norms without too much questioning. “I was just so happy to be working; I didn’t think about whether I felt safe,” she recounted. “It’s odd to look back and realize how tough those moments were.”

These experiences significantly influenced her viewpoint on power dynamics in the entertainment industry. “It’s disheartening that we have protections for those men who act inappropriately because they hold power. Meanwhile, actresses are just trying to make a living, and their careers can be damaged by someone who is allowed to behave however they want,” she noted.

Headey believes that the #MeToo movement has highlighted these pervasive issues, making it easier for young actresses today to stand up against uncomfortable situations. “The general attitude now is one of rejection towards those dynamics,” she emphasized.