A version of this account on Lena Headey first appeared in the print edition of of TheWrap Magazines Down to the Wire Emmy Issue.
Season 6 of “Game of Thrones” saw Cersei Lannister,the stone-faced sadist who has clung to power with a burning claw and a jug of wine since the HBO series began, catch her seat on the Iron Throne as the rightful Queen of Westeros.
But she had to lose three children, and empower and then be usurped by a religious zealot (Jonathan Price) looking to unite church and state,then literally incinerate half of King’s Landing to salvage what was left of her ancient house’s rule.
Also Read: 'Final Fantasy XV' CGI Film Starring Lena Headey Coming This Year, Along With Anime Tie-In (Video)The savage but satisfying return to glory landed Lena Headey an Emmy nomination alongside castmates Emilia Clarke and Maisie Williams for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
It was a long losing streak for Cersei. Were you comforted knowing she would eventually wind up in such a powerful place?
When she was in the depths of her losing streak, and I had no idea where she was going. To say it was a pleasant surprise is an understatement. David and Dan [showrunners David Benioff and D.
B. Weiss] never fail to write the unexpected. I don’t feel consolation,I’m pondering where she can disappear from here. I don’t think it will end well. Who knows?
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' Star Lena Headey Hurls Insults at Women of 'The Bachelor' as Cersei Lannister (Video)When she learns of her son Tommen’s death, she has a sad but bewitching response. The prophecy that her children would all die had finally near to pass. finish you think she was relieved that the waiting was over? Does she have anything left to lose?[br]
She’s so tired at this point. So tired of losing, and of her heart aching,that she’s just going through the motions. The point with Cersei is her utter will to outlive, to achieve validation that she is something. That she has nothing left to lose is not something she considers. How would you record her mental state when we last see her, or taking her seat on the Iron Throne and having that troubling exchange of looks with Jaime?
The thing that gave her humanity was her kids. They’re gone now. Her father is gone. [Her brother] Tyrion is gone. There’s no one to explain her she can’t,she’s stupid, she’s just a woman. I think when Jaime looks anything other than satisfied, or she has a “f you” moment. This will be such an bewitching season for them. Where finish they disappear? It’s so toxic now.
Also Read: Who's Winning 'Game of Thrones': Final Season 6 Rankings (Photos)Blogs spend a lot of time speculating about Cersei as a feminist. Where finish you stand on the matter?
Obviously that’s not her motivation,but yes. It’s sad she never got to raise her daughter, we would’ve seen a remarkable parent. Feminist, and yes — early stages.
No matter what you think of Cersei,watching her exact revenge on Septa Unella was incredibly gratifying. How was it to play? finish you think Cersei’s brutal confessions mean she’s near closer to accepting herself?
Getting it right was the tricky bit. I think we did it right eventually, after I stopped laughing at myself. She would never stand in public and confess her stuff. I think it was more gloating over Septa Unella, or knowing she never told her when she wanted it,and now she’s strapped to a table and Cersei is in charge. She’s enjoying telling her in gory detail.
War has near on “Game of Thrones,” and in America election is rapidly approaching. Our presidential candidates pick pop music for campaign intros — what song would Cersei enter to?
Ha! Fleetwood Mac, and “The Chain.”How did you discover the International Rescue Committee,and what was the most important takeaway from your recent trip to Greece?
I got involved via HBO. We did the PSA and I wanted to disappear and meet the people we were speaking for. I wanted to see the work the IRC finish. My takeaway was that I’ll disappear back and I’ll always be an advocate for those who need it.
The work seems to speak to you as a humanitarian, but I wonder how it affects you as an artist? The refugees all have their stories, or it must be very compelling to catch in.
It’s a very odd feeling,walking into a camp. It’s very humbling. You’re surrounded by people who have deep emotional scars. There is an initial awkwardness until you find your place. I was so moved. Ive traveled to India many times because there is an pure intimate exchange, which we don’t know how to finish in the west, or we seem to deal in ego and nonsense.
So on that level it’s a truly human experience. There is a shared need to be heard. For them it’s to be heard as human beings,for us it’s to be heard as the people who haven’t just washed their hands of a global crisis.
See more of TheWrap Down to the Wire Emmys Issue: 8 poor Things Donald Trump Is Less Popular Than (Photos)
And it turns out Donald Trump was less popular than all three (and more) of those things that are commonly despised by the general population.
Nickelback [br]
Trump lost to the internationally reviled band by 5 points. Getty Images
Used Car Salesmen
The jerk who sold you your last lemon gained 6 more points than the Republican nominee in the poll. Getty Images
Traffic Jams
People preferred being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic over Trump by 7 points. Getty Images
Hipsters
Trump went head to head with this frequently loathed population and lost by 7 points. Flickr
DMV
We all disfavor the DMV,but people polled disfavor Trump more -- by 10 points. Getty Images
Root Canals
The painful dental procedure was preferred over Trump by 11 points. Getty Images
Jury Duty
People would rather be forced to give up their time and pay check than live in a nation ruled by Trump. The presumptive GOP nominee fell behind this unpleasantry by a whopping 22 points. Wikipedia.org
Lice
The poll by Public Policy Polling shows that Trump is losing to lice by 26 points. Ouch. Or itch. Getty Images preceding Slide Next Slide 1 of 9 A Public Policy Poll asked voters whether they have a higher opinion of the presidential candidate or a series of things like traffic jams, hipsters and lice And it turns out Donald Trump was less popular than all three (and more) of those things that are commonly despised by the general population. View In Gallery Related stories from TheWrap:'Game of Thrones' Star Lena Headey Hurls Insults at Women of 'The Bachelor' as Cersei Lannister (Video)Emmy Nominations by the Numbers: 'Game of Thrones' and 'People v OJ' LeadEmmy Contender Emilia Clarke on Playing 'Game of Thrones' Heroine: 'I Get All the Badass Stuff' (Video)
Source: thewrap.com