Lena Headey’s Honest Feelings Towards Her ‘Game of Thrones’ Character Cersei is the Exact Opposite of What Fans Have Felt For Her For Years

Game of Thrones is one of the biggest TV shows ever to be made, the result of which is that the many characters and actors continue to gain attention even after its brutally disappointing end. Seeing the twisted and complex games ongoing in its prequel series, House of the Dragon, fans cannot help but recall one menacing character from the original show, Lena Headey’s Cersei Lannister.

One of Game of Thrones’s most formidable and deadly characters, fans have had a difficult relationship with Cersei, thanks to her relentless, cold-hearted pursuit of power. However, her sentiments towards the character are the polar opposite of what many viewers have felt for her.

Lena Headey Admires, But Doesn’t Sympathize with Her Game of Thrones Character

Lena Headey‘s Game of Thrones portrayal was nothing short of brilliant, earning her both critical acclaim and an intense loathing from fans. On the outside, and maybe on the inside too, Cersei Lannister is the true embodiment of ruthlessness and cruelty. Never afraid to go above and beyond and perform the most sinister of feats for power, needless to say, the actress’ portrayal was diabolical yet masterful.

While several fans hate and loathe the character, there have been occasions where her actions were tempered by moments of vulnerability, leading to many sympathizing with her. From her father using her as a pawn to her loveless marriage with Robert Baratheon, her life story painted her as a woman hardened and darkened by her family’s incessant desire to seize power.

So while fans might have come to sympathize with her, the actress herself has found little to sympathize with her despicable character.

I don’t know if I sympathize with her. I admire her. 

Stated Headey once during an interview with TIME magazine. From losing her children, to her mother’s death, Cersei Lannister has much to be sympathized about, yet Headey rather admires her character’s unyielding strength, resilience, and cunningness, even when all hope seems to be lost.

A fascinating perspective on a character that fans have hated and come to sympathize with over time, it offers how actors and viewers connect and perceive characters differently, adding another layer that might not be apparent to one another.

Lena Headey Loves How Fans Have Come to Admire Cersei Lannister with Time

When Lena Headey first starred as Cersei Lannister, her portrayal was initially met with intense reactions. Several fans found her as nothing more than a ruthless manipulator, who would do just about anything for her selfish ends. Even the actress herself acknowledges that her character was initially cold and brutal.

But as the series went on, unknown layers of the character emerged, adding depth and providing insight into why Cersei does what she does. Leading to a more nuanced understanding of her, fans even found moments to admire and sympathize with her.

Having fought to bring a more grounded and in-depth portrayal of her character, Headey acknowledged to TIME that she loved how fans have found things to admire about her Game of Thrones character.

I’ve always really fought for her, especially early on, because she had seemed just to be a self-serving manipulator… we see that she’s a woman surviving in a really s**tty world desperate to be heard, saying something seven times when a man says it once… What’s moving is that people love her now and want to be on her team.

While fans once harbored pure resentment and disdain for Cersei Lannister, towards the end of the series, these feelings changed. At one point, fans even found themselves cheering for the menacing character, making Lena Headey emotional due to the love fans have shown for her portrayal.

A testament to the actress’ portrayal and impact of her performance, Cersei Lannister remains one of the most admired characters of the show.

Game of Thrones is available to be streamed on HBO.