“It’s maybe the first time that Cersei has been at peace”: Lena Headey Initially Wanted a Better Death For Her Game of Thrones Character

Turns out, Lena Headey, just like the fans, hated this Game of Thrones decision. Known for her compelling portrayal of Cersei Lannister in the phenomenal show, she once expressed disappointment over her character’s fate in the final season of the iconic series.

In an interview, Headey revealed that she had envisioned a more impactful and fitting end for Cersei, the complex and often controversial queen of Westeros. Instead, her character met her demise alongside Jaime Lannister as they were crushed by a crumbling building.

How Did Cersei Lannister Die in Game of Thrones?

Cersei Lannister, played by Lena Headey, was a central character in Game of Thrones known for her cunning intelligence, political intrigue, and complex relationships. She was fiercely ambitious, driven by a desire for power and protecting her family’s legacy.

Throughout the series, Cersei, like many in GoT, dealt with treacherous political situations, often resorting to manipulation and ruthless tactics to achieve her goals. Her character evolved from a queen confined by societal expectations to a tough player in the Game of Thrones, making her one of the most compelling and controversial figures in the series.

She met her end during the final season of Game of Thrones. In Season 8, Episode 5, The Bells, Cersei and her brother Jaime Lannister sought to escape the destruction of King’s Landing as Daenerys Targaryen unleashed her dragon, Drogon, upon the city. They sought refuge in the Red Keep but found themselves trapped as the building began to collapse around them due to the dragon’s attack.

Ultimately, Cersei and Jaime were crushed beneath the falling rubble of the Red Keep, dying together in each other’s arms. This tragic end marked the conclusion of Cersei’s journey in the series.

Lena Headey Wanted a Better Death for Her Game of Thrones Character

Fans heavily criticized Cersei Lannister’s death at the time, feeling she deserved a more fitting end. Lena Headey, who portrayed Cersei, shared similar sentiments in an Entertainment Weekly interview, expressing her thoughts on her character’s final moments on the show. She said,

I wanted her to have some big piece or fight with somebody… The more we talked about it the more it seemed like the perfect end for her. 

However, despite her initial disappointment, Lena Headey found a satisfying aspect of it all, as she explained,

They came into the world together and now they leave together … It’s maybe the first time that Cersei has been at peace

In the end, Lena Headey did find a satisfying aspect to Cersei’s final moments on the show. While she may not have liked the specific outcome, there was a certain poetic closure in Cersei dying alongside Jaime, the person she loved most.

This tragic end, amidst the destruction they contributed to and ultimately could not escape, encapsulated the complexity of Cersei’s character and the consequences of her actions throughout the series.

Game Of Thrones is streaming on Max.