If Not For Peter Dinklage, This Iconic ‘Game of Thrones’ Star Would’ve Never Landed Her Role on The Show
- Peter Dinklage recommended Lena Headey for Cersei Lannister in 'Game of Thrones''.
- Dinklage and Headey's friendship and shared experiences contributed to their on-screen sibling rivalry.
- Despite Headey's doubts, her GoT role opened doors for diverse opportunities.
It is usually believed that friendships in the entertainment business are mostly for PR and limited to screens only. But there are some rare friendships that are genuinely special, both on and off the screen. And sometimes such friendships can even shape careers.
Peter Dinklage has become one of the most popular faces in the fantasy and superhero genres, especially after playing Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones. But his impact was not limited only to the show, as his friendship with one co-star made her one of the most iconic villains in TV history.
Peter Dinklage Recommended Lena Headey for Game of Thrones
Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey had already met before Game of Thrones. They had worked on a TV pilot in Canada that was never aired. Later, they did an indie movie together in 2010 named Pete Smalls is Dead.
Fast forward to Game of Thrones, when the casting process was going on, Dinklage suggested Headey’s name for the role of Cersei Lannister. Her character was going to be Dinklage’s on-screen sister, who hates her own brother.
Tyrion and Cersei’s relationship was an important part of the story. Tyrion was a smart underdog who constantly came in the way of his power-hungry queen and sister Cersei. However, unlike their on-screen chemistry, they have a strong bond off-screen. In an interview with The New York Times, Headey talked about Dinklage,
He’s a cool cat, Pete. He’s not immediately warm. I like those people. He has a wicked tongue and is clever and informed. He’s on the other end of the phone if you ever need him. If he doesn’t like you, he doesn’t pretend.
Since they knew each other already, it didn’t take much effort to bring that chemistry on-screen in Game of Thrones. They even shared an apartment in Belfast during its filming. Moreover, besides Game of Thrones, the duo has worked again in a 2014 period drama called Low Down.
Impact of Game of Thrones on Lena Headey
Cersei Lannister became one of the most memorable villains in TV history. Headey got the tone of the character perfectly. She was cruel and cunning and was determined to get what she wanted. But what made Cersei special was her complexity.
Cersei was a master manipulator, and her mind was always busy planning her next move. But she was a protective mother as well. This gave her character more depth, and Headey got praise from the audience and critics for her effective portrayal. However, even after getting nominated for many awards, she failed to earn an Emmy, which is still a topic of discussion among fans.
But it was not always positive for Headey after portraying such a character for eight seasons. She talked about her life after Game of Thrones in an interview with People, where she said,
Thrones was such a surprise. But there was no part of me that went, ‘Oh, it’s done now. Life’s going to be easy.’ It opened doors, it made certain things easier. It also made things feel harder because you think, ‘What do I do?’
However, Headey has done multiple films and other projects since Game of Thrones. Moreover, playing a villain with layers was in a way helpful for her to get a variety of roles. For instance, she played the villain in Dredd. In a way, her good friend Peter Dinklage also needs to be credited for affecting her career in a good way.
Game of Thrones is available to stream on Max.
