The Game of Thrones Finale According to Lena Headey
Lena Headey's Disappointment: Cersei's Fate in Game of Thrones Falls Short of Expectations The talented actress reveals her desire for a more fulfilling ending for her iconic character
Lena Headey rose to fame in 2006 through Zack Snyder's 300 and gained immense popularity as Cersei Lannister in the hit series Game of Thrones. Her performance as the villainous character garnered significant admiration, earning her five Emmy Award nominations. Now, Headey is venturing into directing with her upcoming film, The Trap, marking her directorial debut. While she is unable to promote her upcoming projects due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, Headey did share her thoughts on the development of Cersei's character in the final season of Game of Thrones in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
When questioned about her thoughts on whether Cersei's conclusion could have been improved or if she had any specific ideas for the character, Headey revealed that she certainly had a vision. Please note that there are spoilers ahead for Game of Thrones Season 8.
"To be honest, I believe all of us had our own thoughts on this matter, as we began to create our own version of the story," Headey expressed. She continued, "Maisie Williams and I would sometimes imagine a fierce confrontation between Cersei and Arya, picturing Cersei returning in the form of Jaime." The actress concluded by stating, "That was our ultimate desire. However, they ultimately opted for a different path."
Cersei and her brother/lover Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) perished together as the dungeon vaults of the castle caved in on them during the sacking of King's Landing. In retrospect, she acknowledged the immense pressure faced by the showrunners to resolve every storyline.
"I believe everyone now comprehends the reasoning behind it. When you're deeply immersed and emotionally invested, there may be a brief moment of 'Why?' But I completely understand," she commented.
Starring Michelle Fairley, The Trap tells the story of a woman leading a solitary life who encounters a enigmatic young drifter (portrayed by James Nelson Joyce). This project is an adaptation of Headey's own short film, written by her.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about Lena Headey's disappointment with Cersei's fate in Game of Thrones. On the one hand, I can understand her frustration. Cersei was a complex and fascinating character, and it's a shame that her story didn't get the ending she deserved. On the other hand, I also understand the showrunners' decision to kill her off. Cersei was a villain, and her death was necessary to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion.
I think the most disappointing thing about Cersei's death is that it felt anticlimactic. She was built up to be the main antagonist of the series, but she was ultimately defeated by Jaime, who had been her lover and ally for most of the show. I would have liked to see Cersei go out in a more dramatic and satisfying way.
Overall, I think Lena Headey's disappointment with Cersei's fate is understandable. However, I also believe that the showrunners made the right decision to kill her off. Cersei's death was necessary to bring the story to a close, and it was the only way to truly defeat her.
