Lena Headey

Lena Headey is a British actress who achieved worldwide fame for her iconic portrayal of Cersei Lannister on HBO’s Game of Thrones, one of the most-watched television series in history. Born on October 3, 1973, in Hamilton, Bermuda, she was raised in Shelley, West Yorkshire, England. She began her acting career in the early 1990s and steadily built a reputation through diverse film and television roles.

Before Game of Thrones, Headey had already established a solid career with notable roles in films such as The Remains of the Day (1993), The Brothers Grimm (2005), and 300 (2006), where she played Queen Gorgo opposite Gerard Butler. She also starred as Sarah Connor in the television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009), demonstrating her ability to take on strong, complex female characters.

Her role as Cersei Lannister on Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2019 became career-defining. The performance earned her five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. At the height of the show, she was reportedly earning $1.1 million per episode, making her one of the highest-paid actresses on television. Her portrayal of the ruthless and calculating queen is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV performances of all time.

Beyond Game of Thrones, Headey has lent her voice to animated projects, appeared in films like Fighting with My Family (2019), and continued to take on diverse acting roles. She has also been involved in producing and advocacy work, particularly for refugee causes. Her decades-long career across film, television, and voice acting has contributed to her estimated net worth of $12 million as of 2026.