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It's not TV, it's Lena Headey on HBOIf you thought you felt a slight shift in the Earth’s axis last night, it wasn’t just the wine talking. That was the planet righting itself from the inequity that had weighed it down since May when Lena Headey left our televisions screens. But now, all is right with the world because the actress has landed a starring role in the new HBO series Game of Thrones.
Lena has been cast in the pilot as Cersei Lannister in the adaptation of the first book in the fantasy series by novelist George R.R. Martin. The acclaimed, epic A Song of Ice and Fire series is set in a magical kingdom filled with kings, queens, knights, rogues, mercenaries and more in a struggle for love, power and everything in between. Martin has been called “the American Tolkien” by Time magazine.
Lena’s character Cersei is described as “a woman of royal blood who is every bit as smart, cunning and devious as the powerful men around her.” Fans know that Lena can play royalty (300), stoic (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and floral (Imagine Me & You). So this sounds like the kind of role that will really let her shine.
Joining her in the cast are Peter Dinklage as Cersei's brother Tyrion, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Cersei's twin, Jaime, Sean Bean as aristocrat Ned Stark, Jennifer Ehle as his wife Catelyn Stark and Mark Addy as King Robert. Lena and Jennifer have co-starred together before, as the doomed lovers in the 2002 film Possession.
The pilot begins shooting in October, but HBO has yet to pick up the series. If it does, it will mean both Lena and her T:SCC co-star Summer Glau will be back on our television where they belong and the world can keep spinning happily about its axis. Submitted by on September 2, 2009 - 11:00am. |
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HBO would be quite dumb not
HBO would be quite dumb not to pick it up. It's Lena Headey we're talking about here, pure awesomeness! Duh!
So I can't wait to (hopefully) see Lena weekly again :D
word.
Ooh!
Jennifer Ehle! I love that woman, since the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice (Keira Knightley, THAT'S how you play Lizzy Bennet!) I watched Possession when it came out because of Jennifer Ehle, I overcame my Gwyneth Paltrow fear for her. I haven't watched it since then, but I never realised Lena Headey was in it as well.
And Ms Snarker, how did you know I have a wine glass in my hand right now?
Lena played Blanche, the female lover of Jennifer Ehle
Lena played Blanche, the female lover of Jennifer Ehle's character; they're in a 19th-century "Boston marriage" relationship clearly interpreted as sexual. Blanche's part is relatively small; she stalks around acting jealous and then drowns herself when her lover leaves her for a man. You may have been blinded by the use of so many lesbian and bisexual stereotypes in one plot point.
But the movie is a lot less biphobic than the book, which left a bad taste in my mouth for the treatment of its 3 queer female characters. The film cuts an unlikeable character who exists primarily to be an anti-bisexual and anti-feminist stereotype, and treats Blanche a lot more sympathetically. At least 2 of my friends, who hated Blanche in the book, felt badly for her when we saw the film. I think it's partly due to Lena's acting.
Oh, happy day! Lena on our screens again!
Dorothy - hell yes, the world shifted back on it's proper axis! At least it damn well better if this series gets picked up! My world has not been the same with my weekly dose of kick ass Sarah Connor and Lena goodness since that craptastic day in May when SCC got cancelled. Sigh - the thought of more of Lena's brilliant acting (and tatted self) on screen makes me faint....;D
The books sound so dull for
The books sound so dull for a fantisy series. At lest from what I read on wikipedia.
I'll watch for Lena though!
-I speak in random thoughts
Not dull!
I read the first few books in this series, and they were very good, especially if you like your fantasy spiked with a lot of political intrigue.
I won't reveal any spoilers, but don't expect nice things from Lena's character...
and you lost me at political
and you lost me at political intrigue. Pass!
-I speak in random thoughts
Dull?
"A Song of Ice and Fire" could well be the best books of all time. Tolkien? who's that chump? We are talking about George R R Martin here!
lol that´s hilarious!
lol that´s hilarious!
at least you´re honest.
made me laugh :)
If you are a fantasy fan...
And don't read the series you are missing out. In fact, I would question whether or not you are a fantasy novel fan if you don't read them. (General you, not specifically aimed at 'you')
The writing is amazing and the character development is unparalleled. In fact, these are my favorite books of all time.
I've been following the development of the HBO series for awhile and I'm absolutely stoked for Lena to be cast as Cersei. It will really show her acting ability as well -- Cersei is not exactly a nice character.
Seriously, give A Game of Thrones a try.
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More Lena
I'd watch anything with Lena Headey in it. Twice!! Her work is so diverse I look forward to seeing what she'll do next. A weekly dose of her would be oh so sweet!!! I could give my T:SCC dvds a rest. I hope HBO is smart enough to pick up this show. With her on HBO and Lucy Lawless in Spartacus on Starz I might not mine paying the cable bill every month...
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~If I just lay here, would you lie with me & just forget the world?~
Will watch ANYTHING Lena appears in
Even if Ilene Chaiken was involved LOL as much as I dislike Ilene if she created a show with Lena Headey, Rachel Shelley and Alexandra Hedison I'd watch! Hell they wouldn't even have to take up the tyelevision screen. Just one corner with a 24 hour live feed.
Technology Will Lead To The Demise Of Civilization As We Know It.
sessi sessi sessi... or is it fanofalex now??
I never come on this site and decided to.. and THERE YOU ARE!
Do you still brag to anyone who will listen about how you have your masters and are intellectually superior to everyone else? (while usually making a great big ass of yourself)
I stopped going to the L word message board long ago, are you still terrorizing them?
Yayyy Lena Heady!
Alright! I'm so glad Lena found a good role not too long after Sara Conner Chronicles! I'm definitley gonna be checking this show out!
the series are great!
nonono, luna -the books were wonderful! i used to read a lot of fantasy when i was a teenager, and by fluke picked the first book up at my cousin's house -and was hooked.
i am so stoked to see this coming to the screen! woot!
lena headey is back!!!
completly love everything and every choice she made about tv and big screen.such a good new to see her again!!!
lena is THE best !
amazing;smart;funny and beautyfull...
Oh, Kitty...
A Game of Thrones
I've been promoting these books for years on AfterEllen in the fiction folder -- Now that Lena is the made-for-TV version maybe more will read them. It's not High Fantasy with Elves, Dwarves and such -- I honestly thought that would be a turn off for me when I started reading them. Boy was I wrong.
I am a big fantasy fan and I love Tolkien -- But George R.R. Martin surpasses Tolkien in character development, twists and storyline. Honest to God, there were some parts of the book that, after I read them, made me go 'OH MY GOD' outloud. As well as some more colorful words. He's a master of unexpected twists.
There are strong female characters who I know so many here would love. I hope a bunch of you pick up the books. They are seriously, bar none, the best fantasy books I've ever read.
And the series isn't even done yet. A Dance With Dragons, the 5th book, has yet to be released and there should be one more following it.
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Thanks, another series I haven't heard of...
I will definately read these
I will definately read these books now that I know of them, they sound very interesting and I have to get a bunch of new books anyway! :D
though I can't believe I never heard of them before!
Love Lena Heady Always!
HELL YES!
LOOOOVE me some Lena!!!! with all of my being
peace and love *swack*
Cersei
This blog...
Makes me want to start an AfterEllen book club. Well, okay, I've always wanted one.
But this is the type of story that gets you so passionate about discussing the books. My old boss and I had discussed them and he asked if I had reached a certain part. I said no, not yet. When I did reach it, I couldn't wait to go to his office and say 'I can't believe that!'. I seriously stalked him that day until I finally found him. I walked in and said, 'WTF, I can't believe that happened!'
The thing is, all of the books are full of these moments.
George R.R. Martin also comes up with the absolute best character names.
I don't post much anymore, but hell, I will talk (or post) your ear off about these books. They are absolutely amazing and I've never found someone who read them and wasn't hooked.
Seriously, I need to just shut up now before I keep going on.
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Don't shut up
It is good to know that there is someone else out there who thinks the same way I do about this series. I adore them with an obsessive passion that my friends find a tad bit disturbing. Direct me to the blog about these books and I will be a willing and vocal participant.
I think that Lena is a good choice for Cersei Lannister. It will be interesting to see how Cersei is played - in the beginning I thought she was nasty and evil, but as the series progressed, I could understand how she made the choices she did and developed respect for her.
I am a little unsure about the actress playing Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys is my favourite character and I will admit to having a big fictional crush on her.
I hope they do a good adaption for TV and don't change too much. I also hope that if it gets picked up that it is shown in Australia, otherwise it is a long wait for the DVDs..
Yes!!!
I need Lena back on my tv screen
http://twitter.com/Dani_po
Honestly, A Dance With Dragons
is part of why I haven't picked up the series yet. The man's inability to finish that book is growing to legendary proportions; I don't want to get hooked only to wait a decade for the next volume.
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"The state does not belong in the bedrooms of the nation"- Pierre Trudeau
Cersei Lannister!
While I have only read the first book (the second was out of stock at the bookstore), I am already in love with this series. While not as action-packed as one usually expects from a fantasy novel, the character development in the first book alone has surpassed any book I have read before.
It'll be a change, though, with Lena playing as Cersei. I may actually *like* it when Cersei shows up. I'm so pleased with Sean Bean as Eddard Stark as well (I'd totally go straight for Ned).
I can only hope the HBO show will do the characters justice.
Yay!
ASOIAF
DULL ?!?!!!!
NO they're not dull!!! They're the best fantasy books I've ever read!!!!
(I doubt anyone will like Cersei though, even played by Lena Headey)
sorry, george rr has lost his way with this series
and now we know why. He's been working toward the big pay-off.
This series has become too much work. The 1st couple of books were almost worth the hype. The 3rd fell off considerably. The last felt manipulative. Too many threads, not enough time to continue to fully develop the characters.
Aside, the Lannisters are blondies. Each clan's "look" figures prominently in the writing as I guess is necessary when you have so many dang characters. I don't see Lena as a blonde. But I don't mind seeing Lena any ole which way so I will watch the series.
Blonde Lena
I will watch anything she's in
Love her