Fearlessly, Lewis wrote on Twitter. She blazed so brightly. Fans and famous faces rushed to offer their condolences after his post, with Inside No 9 director Reece Shearsmith penning: Impossible to process the mighty Helen McCrory has passed. "When you live in the public spotlight you have to find the space to protect the things that are just for you. McCrory's husband,actor Damian Lewis,announced the news of her death on Twitteron Friday, April 16, 2021. She was a wonderful actor and a very dear friend; Harry Potter fans will miss her very much. McCrory, who starred in the television show Peaky Blinders and the Harry Potter movies, has died. RIP Helen. The actress was perhaps best known for playing Aunt Polly, the matriarch of the Shelby clan, in all five series of hit BBC period gang drama Peaky Blinders from its start in 2013. According to Damian, Helen McCrorys cause of death was cancer that she kept hidden till her passing. What a tremendous and mesmerising actor. Get our L.A. She was so powerful and controlled and this is so sad.. By Tiasa Bhowal: Actress Helen McCrory, who is best known for her appearance in the Harry Potter series of films and Peaky Blinders, died of cancer. She was always immaculate and brilliant. Read More: Is Peaky Blinders Based on a True Story? My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children. She was 52 years old at the time. RIP . BBC director of drama Piers Wenger added: "Helen was one of the finest actresses this country will ever see.". Most recently, she appeared on screen in the BBC series Roadkill with Hugh Laurie. Im devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman whos left us far too soon. The actress, who appeared in Harry Potter and Peaky Blinders, died aged 52 with husband Damian Lewis confirming the news. Very sorry to hear of the death of Helen McCrory, such a brilliant actor; heartfelt condolences to Damian Lewis, their children, and all who loved her. I will dearly miss my pal. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played, Murphy said. Impossible to process the mighty Helen McCrory has passed. Will Dominion-Fox News lawsuit be different? What a tremendous loss.. She was also a gifted actor - fearless and magnificent. "My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children.". Lewis wrote,"I'm heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family. In 2013, she began playing the character Polly Gray on [] "She had this extraordinary, fierce depth of character and complexity and ability to articulate so many parts of the human condition.". Other iconic roles included parts in Hugo, Skyfall, Fearless, Quiz and MotherFatherSon. Sleep easy Pol. `How did you do that?' On a weekend when the papers, rightly, will be paying their respects to the Duke of Edinburgh, thousands of others around the world have been remembering mDuchess, my Little One, royalty in her own right.. In 2000, she played the title character in Anna Karenina. Funny, generous, some wicked stories. She blazed so brightly. McCrory had said doing theatre is what made my heart sing, Lewis recalled. It was an honour to work with her and know her. McCrory and Lewis, star of the TV series "Homeland" and "Billions," married in 2007 and had two children. Her husband, actor Damian Lewis, announced her death on Friday "after an heroic battle with cancer". God we loved her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. McCrory was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2017. McCrory played Narcissa Malfoy, the wife of Lucius Malfoy and Draco's mother, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2. Film and theatre director Sir Sam Mendes, who directed Skyfall, remembered her as "an astonishing talent, a fabulous person, and an absolute true original". Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, said in a statement, Helen was one of the great actors of her generation. The actor, who died at age 52, had kept her cancer private and told her children shed lived the life she wanted. By order of the Peaky Blinders. She was so so brilliant when she came to work on Bill. Following the news of her death, tributes have been pouring in for the acclaimed actor. Onstage, McCrorys roles included the vengeful Greek heroine Medea at the National Theatre in 2014. "She faced up to it with a level of bravery and humour that was completely extraordinary and as ever was teaching people how to live so it was a remarkable thing.". She died on 16 April 2021, at her home in London. She was a wonderful actor and a very dear friend; Harry Potter fans will miss her very much., Jo Malone said: @lewis_damian I am beyond saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Helen McCrory an amazing talented woman who gave so much , my sincere condolences to all of her beautiful family., Sue Perkins posted: I am so so sorry. Murphy, who played Tommy Shelby in the show, added he was "broken-hearted to lose Actor Michael Sheen, who played Tony Blair in The Queen, said McCrory was so funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time., Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling tweeted that she was devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman whos left us far too soon.. Cillian Murphy, who plays the central role of gangland boss Tommy Shelby in "Peaky Blinders," set in the early 20th-century English underworld, said he was "broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend.". `And then what did you do? Posting on Twitter, Richard Coles wrote: Very sorry to hear of the death of Helen McCrory, such a brilliant actor; heartfelt condolences to Damian Lewis, their children, and all who loved her.. She played the matriarch of a crime family on Peaky Blinders and the scheming Voldemort ally Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies. Sending you & your family much love xxx, How terribly sad that weve lost Helen McCrory so young. "It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years. A written finding is made regardless of whether an inquest is held or not. An unfathomable loss. She appeared alongside Lewis to discuss their work with the Princes Trust. One of her most visible roles was asDraco Malfoy's motherNarcissa in the Harry Potter series, and she was originally slated to play an even bigger part in the franchise until she fell pregnant. Actor Ben Willbond added: Heartbroken at the news that Helen McCrory has died. Simply heartbreaking news.. Had the good fortune to meet and interview Helen McCrory a few times.A mighty talent, with always a hint of mischief. https://t.co/qEW4DDBppd. Fearlessly. Helen McCrory. HELEN McCrory was still promoting her charity work in the final weeks before her death aged 52. pic.twitter.com/Eo2dmviKik, Oh Damian, Im so sorry. From the first moment I met her when we were just kids it was obvious she was very special. One of her most acclaimed performances was as Cherie Blair in The Queen and The Special Relationship. Since news of her death was confirmed, her former co-stars have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late actress. When Bacall apologised for the mistake, McCrory said: Thats all right Ms Hepburn, Im glad you enjoyed the show. Lewis added: Lauren Bacall threw her head back and laughed and bellowed. What a loss x.. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family. Love ya. Her most well-known role came as no-nonsense Aunt Polly on Peaky Blinders, and the terrifying Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise. Helen was an even more brilliant person than she was an actress, he said, describing her a meteor in our life. British actor Helen McCrory, who starred in the television show Peaky Blinders and the Harry Potter movies, has died, her husband said Friday. You can unsubscribe at any time. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. During the event,he shared the story of English poetJohn Dennis, who is credited for coming up with the phrase "steal my thunder." She was also a gifted actor fearless and magnificent. Much love to Damian and her family. When her nephews Tommy (Cillian Murphy), Arthur (Paul Anderson), and Johnny (Joe Cole) were off fighting in World War I, she was the leader of both the family and the Peaky Blinders. By order of the Peaky Blinders Thoughts are with her loved ones x, I am shattered to hear this news . McCrory also made appearances inDoctor Who, the 2017 miniseries Fearless, andFantastic Mr. Fox,the 2009 movie based on a Roald Dahl book. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.". Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.. As he discussed the poet, Damian said, "One person whose thunder absolutely would not be stolen was Helen McCrory. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. The great English actress Helen McCrory tragically passed away last year at the age of 52. My thoughts with all of her friends and family. Comedian John Bishop tweeted: I am shattered to hear this news . Peaky Blinders: What was Polly star Helen McCrory's favourite scene? The Devastating Death Of Harry Potter And Peaky Blinders Star Helen McCrory. While Helen Reddys family did the best they could to stay in touch with her, the pandemic still took its toll on the singer. Andafter five seasons, Aunt Pollywas close to getting her version of a happy ending following multiple near-death encounters and heartbreaks. She played the matriarch of a crime family on Peaky Blinders and the scheming Voldemort ally Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies. The Noel Clarke offered: RIP #HelenMcCrory you were the best and always lovely to me. In her tribute, Harry Potter author JK Rowling wrote: "I'm devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman who's left us far too soon. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family., McCrory also starred as a human rights lawyer dragged into international intrigue in the TV thriller Fearless, played lawyer Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in the 2006 movie The Queen, and had roles in Martin Scorseses film Hugo and the James Bond thriller Skyfall.. According to her TV Guide biography, McCrory was born in Paddington in London, England, but grew up in places like Norway, Nigeria, Cameroon, France, and Zanzibar. "God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. READ MORE:Helen McCrory dead: Peaky Blinders dies after cancer battle aged 52. She died as she lived. In April, she died at the age of 52. Helen McCrory will be remembered not just for her remarkable stage and screen performances, but also for her selflessness and generosity, Matt Lucas said. Im heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family, he wrote. "But I think you approach it in different ways, and my approach is just to forge forward.". Then we watched her in the courtroom pretty much do a one woman monologue and be incredibly excellent and not forget a thing. Before she died, the actor Helen McCrory repeatedly urged her teenage children to be courageous and not sad about her death, her husband, Damian Lewis, has said. McCrory and Lewis, star of the TV series Homeland and Billions, married in 2007 and had two children. In the season 6 premiere, titled Black Day, Tommy and his people discover that the IRA has killed Polly along with her fianc Aberama Gold (Aidan Gillen) and Tommys friend and fellow veteran Barney Thomason (Cosmo Jarvis) for attempting to assassinate the British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin). McCrory "died peacefully at home surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family", Lewis wrote on Twitter, calling his late wife "beautiful and mighty." "We love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly," the actor added, explaining she had died "after an heroic battle with cancer." The Wizarding World Twitter account, home to the Harry Potter franchise, tweeted: We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved Helen McCrory, who played Narcissa Malfoy with such depth and brilliance in the Harry Potter film series. The accomplished British actress has been married to Lewis since 2007, and they have two children together: Manon, aged 14, and Gulliver, aged 13. "Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being," he said in a statement. Helen McCrory played seven lead roles at the National Theatre, Lewis and McCrory met in the 2003 play Five Gold Rings, Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory married in 2007, With Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy (left) and Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, She played Cherie Blair in 2006 film The Queen, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. Damian Lewis, her Peaky Blinders premieres onBBC One in February. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? During the interview, host Kate Garraway asked if she had a sore throat. Distractify is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. Helen was a beautiful supportive person to those of us who had the honour to know or work with her. Really lovely company. "But she was so private and so f--king brave and courageous. But I think you approach it in different ways, and my approach is just to forge forward.. In a moving tribute to the Peaky Blinders star, Lewis said: Shes left our beautiful children, Manon and Gully, too early, but they have been prepared for life., Writing in the Sunday Times, Lewis said: She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid. Sam Mendes, who directed McCrory in an acclaimed production of Uncle Vanya, praised her explosive energy on stage. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family., McCrory also starred as a human rights lawyer dragged into international intrigue in the TV thriller Fearless, played lawyer Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in the 2006 movie The Queen, and had roles in Martin Scorseses film Hugo and the James Bond thriller Skyfall., Actor Michael Sheen, who played Tony Blair in The Queen, said McCrory was so funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time., Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling tweeted that she was devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman whos left us far too soon.. I will dearly miss my pal. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. Helen McCrory will be remembered not just for her remarkable stage and screen performances, but also for her selflessness and generosity. RIP x. Angela Griffin replied: News of Helen McCrory passing has just floored me. Cillian Murphy, who starred alongside her in the BBC drama, described her as "fearless and magnificent". Sir Richard Eyre, who gave McCrory one of her first significant stage roles in the 1990s, said one of the most upsetting things about her death was that "we will be deprived of major performances that she would have been able to give" and described her as a successor to Dame Judi Dench. Helen McCrory, known to audiences as Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter films and as Polly Gray inPeaky Blinders, has died of cancer at the age of 52. Her husband, actor Damian Lewis, said Friday that McCrory died peacefully at home after a "heroic battle with cancer. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP, File). Really lovely company. What a tremendous loss.". She and Damian were the motor driving FeedNHS, working tirelessly during the pandemic to raise millions for others. She was 52 and had been suffering from cancer. Helen McCrory starred as Aunt Polly in all five series of Peaky Blinders. Fearlessly. She also will be remembered by many as Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. My heart goes out to Damian and the family, no words of condolences will ever be enough.. Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. "Helen wanted to be very private about her illness and I understand why," she said. As well as her film and TV credits, she played seven lead roles at the National Theatre, whose boss Rufus Norris said: "With her incisive wit and ferocious intelligence, she was one of the most charismatic and distinctive performers.". At the time, she was 52 years old. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played, Murphy said. According toEntertainment Weekly,McCrory was meant to star as Bellatrix LeStrange beginning with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but when she bowed out, Helena Bonham Carter stepped in. Image Source: Whatsonstage. Away from the screen, McCrory was well known for her charity work, including helping feed frontline workers during the pandemic. ", Actor Michael Sheen, who played Tony Blair in "The Queen," said McCrory was "so funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time. As well as fearless Polly Gray in BAFTA-winning Peaky Blinders, she was in 2007 Best Film BAFTA winner The Queen, amongst many other films and TV shows. Very sad news.. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. She was 52 and had been suffering from cancer. Dermot OLeary recalled on Twitter: Had the good fortune to meet and interview Helen McCrory a few times. Peaky Blinders cast: Who plays Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders? Helen McCrory died of breast cancer at her home in London on 16 April 2021, aged 52. But Aunt Polly, set to marry the man she loved, and her love story will not play outinthe sixth and final season of the BBC series. I will dearly miss my pal". British actress Helen McCrory, star of Peaky Blinders, died today at the age of 52. McCrory, who was also known for her roles in the films The Queen, The Special Relationship and the Harry Potter franchise, died of cancer on Friday at the age Lewis wrote: Her nickname to many was Dame Helen (apologies, Dame Helen), and although well never know now whether that would have become a reality, I think secretly, we do know.. From the first moment I met her when we were just kids it was obvious she was very special. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. 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