Helen McCrory, the British actress best known for her roles in the ‘Harry Potter’ films and ‘Peaky Blinders,’ has died, her husband, actor Damian Lewis, reported on Friday.
McCrory, who was 52, died “peacefully at home” after “an heroic battle with cancer,” the “Homeland” star said in a tweet.
The London-born actress, who featured as Narcissa Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” franchise, had a arch, mysterious quality that served her well in villainous roles, including the period dramas “Peaky Blinders” and “Penny Dreadful” and the “Vampires of Venice” episode of the long running “Doctor Who.”
A year ago, she showed up in two miniseries: The Masterpiece production “Roadkill,” in which she played the UK’s Prime Minister opposite Hugh Laurie; and “Quiz,” a fact-based drama about the “Who Wants to be a MIllionaire” scandal.
She was no stranger to political roles, playing Cherie Blair – the wife of British prime minister Tony Blair – twice, in “The Queen” and the TV movie “The Special Relationship,” both times with Michael Sheen and “The Crown” writer Peter Morgan.
McCrory was additionally a refined stage actress, playing strong women from Lady Macbeth to Medea in London’s West End.
“She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you,” Lewis said in his tweet.
McCrory and Lewis shared two children together. Talking about the interesting shuffling their lives at times needed to British Vogue in 2013, McCrory attributed her desire to be there for her youngsters for her impressive resumé.
“It’s got to be a damn good offer to coax me away from them,” she told the publication. “Which is probably why the projects I’ve worked on since they were born have been such interesting ones.”
“Helen McCrory will be remembered not just for her remarkable stage and screen performances, but also for her selflessness and generosity,” Lucas wrote. “She and Damian were the motor driving FeedNHS, working tirelessly during the pandemic to raise millions for others. What a tremendous loss.”