---
name: "Lena Headey"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/lena-headey"
fi1m_id: "lena-headey"
imdb_id: "nm0372176"
tmdb_id: 17286
wikidata_id: "Q228789"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "3 October 1973"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-23T04:14:30.605075+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Lena Headey

## Identity

Lena Headey

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lena-headey
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** lena-headey
- **IMDb ID:** nm0372176
- **TMDB ID:** 17286
- **Wikidata ID:** Q228789
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Headey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q228789, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372176/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17286

Actor. Born 3 October 1973 in Hamilton, Bermuda.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 3 October 1973, Hamilton, Bermuda
- **Active:** 1993–present
- **Also known as:** Lena Heady, Lena Kathren Headey
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 13: 12 acting, 1 producing
- **Frequently works with:** [Bernie Goldmann](https://film.one/person/bernie-goldmann.md), [David Nutter](https://film.one/person/david-nutter.md), [David Wenham](https://film.one/person/david-wenham.md), [Kurt Johnstad](https://film.one/person/kurt-johnstad.md), [Zack Snyder](https://film.one/person/zack-snyder.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 78 (3), 2000s 67 (3), 2010s 71 (5), 2020s 61 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 67 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Action & Adventure 4, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 4, Action 2, Comedy 2, Crime 2
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $575m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Headey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q228789, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372176/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17286

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Game of Thrones*](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md) (82), [*White House Plumbers*](https://film.one/tv/white-house-plumbers.md) (58)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Clothes in the Wardrobe*](https://film.one/film/the-clothes-in-the-wardrobe.md) (74), [*H Is for Hawk*](https://film.one/film/h-is-for-hawk.md) (64)
- **Paramount+:** [*300*](https://film.one/film/300.md) (52)
- **Netflix:** [*The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones*](https://film.one/film/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones.md) (38)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Lena Headey

> Lena Headey plays hard women, queens and mothers mostly, and does it by keeping still and letting the face carry the worry. When the writing meets her halfway, as *The Sarah Connor Chronicles* did, the result is difficult company and worth keeping.

Watch what Lena Headey does when someone else is talking. She does not react much. The jaw sets, the eyes stay on the speaker a beat too long, and by the time she answers we already know what she thinks of them. In *Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles* (2008) that stillness is the performance: Sarah Connor is harsh with everyone, including her son, and Headey makes the harshness understandable without once making her easy company.

She was spotted at seventeen in a school production and went straight to work, with *Waterland* (1992) and Lizzie in *The Remains of the Day* (1993), and then more than a decade of steady British film and television before anyone abroad took much notice. *300* (2007) changed that, with Gorgo, Queen of Sparta, the first of her queens and the first of two films with Zack Snyder. Sarah Connor followed, and then the part she will be remembered for, Cersei Lannister in *Game of Thrones* (2011–2019), eight seasons of a woman who is nearly always the most dangerous person at the table and rarely raises her voice. *Dredd* (2012), where she played the villain Ma-Ma, fits the same pattern from the other side of the law.

The pattern is the thing. She is cast, over and over, as a strong and often ruthless woman with power or a child to protect, and she plays these parts without theatrics and without vanity: she will look tired, or plain, or afraid, if that is what the scene needs. Her own line on Cersei was "I don’t know if I sympathize with her. I admire her," and that is roughly how she plays all of them, from the inside, with the reasons intact. It is why the Sarah Connor of the *Chronicles* moved us more than an action series had any right to. Keeping John safe gives this mother no peace at all, and Headey lets the worry sit on her face through scenes where the script has her doing something else entirely. Thomas Dekker gives her enough back as John that the mother and son are worth following on their own, and the programme is at its best when it lets them.

The cost of being that good at one thing is that people stop asking for anything else. The parts since *Game of Thrones*, *White House Plumbers* (2023) and *Beacon 23* among them, have been smaller and quieter, and there is a fair question about whether anyone has yet written her a woman who is neither a queen nor a soldier. We suspect she would be good at it. Nobody seems in a hurry to find out.

## Biography

Lena Kathren Headey is a British actress. Born on 3 October 1973 in Hamilton, Bermuda, she made her film debut in the mystery drama *Waterland* (1992) and appeared in British productions including *The Remains of the Day* (1993).

Headey gained international recognition for her portrayal of Cersei Lannister in the HBO series *Game of Thrones* (2011–2019). Her film roles include Queen Gorgo in *300* (2006) and its sequel, Ma-Ma in *Dredd* (2012), and Lady Catherine de Bourgh in *Pride and Prejudice and Zombies* (2016). She has also voiced characters in animated series and provided the voice of Lara in *DC League of Super-Pets* (2022).

In addition to acting, Headey has worked as a producer. She is credited as producer on the 2025 biographical drama *H Is for Hawk*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (13)

### Performed in (12) — the average rests on these

- *White House Plumbers* (2023), Fi1m 58, as Dorothy Hunt — [page](https://film.one/tv/white-house-plumbers.md)
- *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance* (2019), Fi1m 76, as Maudra Fara (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-dark-crystal-age-of-resistance.md)
- *Sally4Ever* (2018), Fi1m 78, as Lena Headey — [page](https://film.one/tv/sally4ever.md)
- *Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia* (2016), Fi1m 80, as Morgana / The Pale Lady (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/trollhunters-tales-of-arcadia.md)
- *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* (2013), Fi1m 38, as Jocelyn Fray — [page](https://film.one/film/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones.md)
- *Game of Thrones* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Cersei Lannister — [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md)
- *Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles* (2008), Fi1m 77, as Sarah Connor — [page](https://film.one/tv/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles.md)
- *300* (2007), Fi1m 52, as Gorgo — [page](https://film.one/film/300.md)
- *The Long Firm* (2004), Fi1m 72, as Ruby Ryder — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-long-firm.md)
- *Band of Gold* (1995), Fi1m 72, as Colette — [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-gold.md)
- *The Clothes in the Wardrobe* (1993), Fi1m 74, as Margaret — [page](https://film.one/film/the-clothes-in-the-wardrobe.md)
- *The Remains of the Day* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Lizzie — [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md)

### Produced (1)

- *H Is for Hawk* (2025), Fi1m 64, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/h-is-for-hawk.md)

## Complete filmography (102)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Ballistic* (2026), as Nance Redfield
- *Normal* (2026), as Moira
- *The Abandons* (2025), series, as Fiona Nolan
- *H Is for Hawk* (2025), Producer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/h-is-for-hawk.md)
- *Long Pork* (2025), as Lily
- *Masters of the Universe: Revolution* (2024), series, as Evil-Lyn (voice)
- *Beacon 23* (2023), series, as Aster Calyx · Executive Producer
- *The Trap* (2023), Executive Producer, Screenplay, Director
- *SmartLess: On the Road* (2023), series, Actor
- *White House Plumbers* (2023), series, as Dorothy Hunt — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/tv/white-house-plumbers.md)
- *DC League of Super-Pets* (2022), as Lara (voice)
- *9 Bullets* (2022), as Gypsy Moon
- *Masters of the Universe: Revelation* (2021), series, as Evil-Lyn (voice)
- *Gunpowder Milkshake* (2021), as Scarlet
- *Twist* (2021), as Sikes
- *Wizards: Tales of Arcadia* (2020), series, as Morgana (voice)
- *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance* (2019), series, as Maudra Fara (voice) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-dark-crystal-age-of-resistance.md)
- *The Trap* (2019), Director, Writer
- *Infinity Train* (2019), series, as The Conductor / Amelia (voice), Amelia / Teacher (voice)
- *The Flood* (2019), as Wendy · Executive Producer
- *Fighting with My Family* (2019), as Julia 'Sweet Saraya' Knight
- *Sally4Ever* (2018), series, as Lena Headey — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/sally4ever.md)
- *Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (2018), series, as Big Mama (voice)
- *Walk Like a Panther* (2018), as Miss Winters
- *Leading Lady Parts* (2018), as Actress #6
- *Thumper* (2017), as Ellen
- *Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia* (2016), series, as Morgana / The Pale Lady (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/trollhunters-tales-of-arcadia.md)
- *Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV* (2016), as Lunafreya Nox Fleuret (Voice: English version)
- *Pride and Prejudice and Zombies* (2016), as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
- *Danger Mouse* (2015), series, as Jeopardy Mouse (voice)
- *Zipper* (2015), as Jeannie Ellis
- *Unity* (2015), as Narrator (voice)
- *Game of Thrones The IMAX Experience* (2015), as Cersei Lannister
- *300: Rise of an Empire* (2014), as Queen Gorgo
- *Low Down* (2014), as Sheila Albany
- *The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box* (2013), as Monica
- *Uncle Grandpa* (2013), series, as Aunt Grandma (voice)
- *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* (2013), as Jocelyn Fray — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones.md)
- *The Purge* (2013), as Mary Sandin
- *Grimm Fairy Tales Animated* (2012), as Sela Mathers · Co-Producer
- *Dredd* (2012), as Ma-Ma
- *Game of Thrones* (2011), series, as Cersei Lannister — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md)
- *Pete Smalls Is Dead* (2010), as Shannah
- *White Collar* (2009), series, as Sally
- *Tell-Tale* (2009), as Elizabeth
- *Laid to Rest* (2009), as Cindy
- *The Devil's Wedding* (2009), as The Devil's Bride
- *The Broken* (2008), as Gina McVey
- *Whore* (2008), as Mom
- *The Red Baron* (2008), as Käthe
- *Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles* (2008), series, as Sarah Connor — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles.md)
- *St Trinian's* (2007), as Miss Dickinson
- *The Contractor* (2007), as DI Annette Ballard
- *300* (2007), as Gorgo — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/300.md)
- *Ultra* (2006), as Penny / Ultra
- *Imagine Me & You* (2006), as Luce
- *Round About Five* (2005), as Girlfriend
- *The Brothers Grimm* (2005), as Angelika
- *The Cave* (2005), as Dr. Kathryn Jennings
- *The Long Firm* (2004), series, as Ruby Ryder — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-long-firm.md)
- *The Actors* (2003), as Dolores
- *Black Plague* (2002), as Lady Matilda Mellerby
- *Ripley's Game* (2002), as Sarah Trevanny
- *Possession* (2002), as Blanche Glover
- *The Gathering Storm* (2002), as Ava Wigram
- *The Parole Officer* (2001), as Emma
- *Aberdeen* (2000), as Kaisa
- *Gossip* (2000), as Cathy Jones
- *Onegin* (1999), as Olga
- *Inside-Out* (1999), as Window-dresser
- *The Man with Rain in His Shoes* (1998), as Sylvia Weld
- *Merlin* (1998), series, as Guinevere
- *Face* (1997), as Connie
- *Mrs. Dalloway* (1997), as Young Sally
- *The Hunger* (1997), series, as Steph Reynolds
- *Ballykissangel* (1996), series, as Jenny Clark
- *The Grotesque* (1995), as Cleo Coal
- *Loved Up* (1995), as Sarah
- *Band of Gold* (1995), series, as Colette — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-gold.md)
- *Devil's Advocate* (1995), series, as Clare Rigby
- *Kavanagh Q.C.* (1995), series, as Natasha Jackson
- *The Jungle Book* (1994), as Katherine 'Kitty' Brydon
- *MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday* (1994), as Elise Moran
- *Fair Game* (1994), as Ellie
- *Century* (1993), as Miriam
- *The Clothes in the Wardrobe* (1993), as Margaret — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-clothes-in-the-wardrobe.md)
- *The Remains of the Day* (1993), as Lizzie — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md)
- *Waterland* (1992), as Young Mary
- *Soldier Soldier* (1991), series, as Shenna Bowles
- *Spender* (1991), series, as Emily Goodman
- *Shark Week* (1988), series, as Narrator
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Margaret, Miriam
- *How We Used To Live* (1968), series, as Grace Palmer
- *Jacqueline Ess*, as Jacqueline Ess
- *New-Gen*, series, as Thea (Voice)
- *Red, White & Royal Wedding*, as Princess Catherine
- *Project Codename*, series, Actor
- *Divine Blood*, as Ruth George
- *Oh, How Fun!*, Actor
- *Violet*, Director
- *Top Friends*, as Ambrosia
- *Rita*, as Rita · Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![Lena Headey](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-06fe082d656f.jpg) Lena Headey — pinguino k from North Hollywood, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Headey%2C_Lena_%282007%29_%28headshot%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![British actress Lena Headey. Taken at the 2007 Scream Awards.](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-7c300060a7a9.jpg) British actress Lena Headey. Taken at the 2007 Scream Awards. — pinguino k from North Hollywood, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Headey%2C_Lena_%282007%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lena Headey at the 300 London premiere (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-707e827c833c.jpg) Lena Headey at the 300 London premiere (2007) — Caroline Bonarde Ucci at https://www.flickr.com/photos/caroline_bonarde/, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/LenaHeadeyMar07.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lena Headey at the 300 London premiere (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-2ad65cdce5ea.jpg) Lena Headey at the 300 London premiere (2007) — Caroline Bonarde Ucci at https://www.flickr.com/photos/caroline_bonarde/, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/LenaHeadeyMar07_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lena Headey](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-a09867239fcc.jpg) Lena Headey — Image via TMDB
- ![Lena Headey](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-1e5fe4087574.jpg) Lena Headey — Image via TMDB
- ![Lena Headey](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-41dbfdc7d74b.jpg) Lena Headey — Image via TMDB
- ![Star of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, Game of Thrones, and 300. NYC Feb. '19. (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-157248926dba.jpg) Star of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, Game of Thrones, and 300. NYC Feb. '19. (2019) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Lena_Headey_%2847086135862%29.jpg/1280px-Lena_Headey_%2847086135862%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Star of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, Game of Thrones, and 300. NYC Feb. '19. (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-b35a0031fb67.jpg) Star of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, Game of Thrones, and 300. NYC Feb. '19. (2019) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Lena_Headey_%2847086135862%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Lena_Headey_%2847086135862%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Lena Headey](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-426b3ffd9729.jpg) Lena Headey — Image via TMDB
- ![Lena Headey](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-7e8accd17ee0.jpg) Lena Headey — Image via TMDB
- ![Lena Headey](https://film.one/media/person/7308/gallery-5412f0a70c26.jpg) Lena Headey — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2014: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Game of Thrones*

### SAG Awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- 2014: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Game of Thrones*
- 2012: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Game of Thrones*

### Other awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance 2007: MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance (nominated), for *300*
- Saturn Awards 2007: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *300*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/lena-headey