Lena Headey Discusses Hollywood’s Predatory Culture and ‘Game of Thrones’ Backlash
Lena Headey reflects on some of the toughest moments in her Hollywood journey, discussing the immense pressure on women in the industry, her encounters with powerful men, and the unexpected backlash she received from certain ‘Game of Thrones’ fans.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, the Emmy-nominated actress addressed the culture that has enabled certain men in Hollywood to exploit their power. Headey, who accused producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment in 2017, noted that the industry often shields influential figures while leaving young actresses in precarious situations.
Headey highlighted the stark contrast between those in power and actors striving to advance their careers. “The weird protection that we offer predatory men in the business because of the disproportionate power they wield, set against the need among vulnerable actresses to work to put food on the table to get the job — it makes me very angry,” she shared with The Telegraph.
The actress previously recounted an uncomfortable encounter with Weinstein during the promotion of the 2005 film ‘The Brothers Grimm’. She remembered feeling uneasy when Weinstein invited her to his hotel under the pretense of discussing a script.
“We walked to the lift, and the energy shifted,” Headey recalled. She expressed her discomfort, stating, “I’m not interested in anything other than work, please don’t think I got in here with you for any other reason, nothing is going to happen.”
Reflecting on her early career, Headey believes many young actresses felt pressured to accept uncomfortable situations as part of their job. She explained that when she began acting, there was an unspoken expectation for female performers to take on romantic and sexual roles without questioning their safety.
“There was this rite of passage all young female actors had to go through, which usually involved snogging and falling in love, and having sex and showing your boobs,” she said.
Headey admitted that she often did not realize she had the right to assert herself. “I’d just arrive on a set and be, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got a job.’ And when it came to those moments, I don’t think I even questioned that I should be safe.”
Her perspective shifted by the time she joined ‘Game of Thrones’ as Cersei Lannister. At that point, Headey felt more empowered to advocate for herself on set, especially compared to younger actors still navigating challenging situations.
“By that point I’d been through the wringer. I could stand up for myself,” she told The Telegraph.
Despite her newfound confidence, Headey still encountered significant criticism from fans when she opted to use a body double for Cersei’s iconic walk of shame scene in Season 5. This choice ignited online outrage from viewers who believed she should have performed the nude scene herself.
Headey expressed her astonishment at the backlash. “I was really shocked by the anger, by this idea that I’d duped the audience,” she explained.
The actress noted that her decision allowed her to concentrate on the emotional depth of the scene rather than worrying about being exposed in front of a large audience. She previously mentioned to Entertainment Weekly that some fans treated her differently because she chose not to appear nude.
“Some people thought I was less of an actress because I didn’t get my tits out,” Headey remarked at the time.
For Headey, the matter was never about rejecting certain scenes. It was about maintaining control over her work and ensuring she could deliver the best performance possible while safeguarding herself.
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