Helen McCrory has died at the age of 52, after her secret battle with cancer, reports say.
According to the report by Metro UK, the sad news of the death of Helen McCrory was confirmed by her husband of 14 years, actor Damian Lewis.
In a statement posted on Twitter, he 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.
‘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.’
The actress was one of the UK’s most beloved and highly-acclaimed stars across television, film and theatre, with dozens of tributes quickly pouring in from across the entertainment industry.
Helen McCrory was well-known for her roles, including the swift-talking and no-nonsense Aunt Polly on Peaky Blinders – the matriarch of the Birmingham gangsters – and Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise. She also appeared in dramas including MotherFatherSon, Quiz, Penny Dreadful, James Bond’s Skyfall.
In 2019, she joined the all-star cast of His Dark Materials, voicing Stelmaria, the daemon of James McAvoy’s Lord Asriel. In theatre, she won the Richard Burton Award For Most Promising Newcomer at the 1995 Shakespeare Globe Awards for her role as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. Other theatrical credits include Les Enfants Du Paradis, Uncle Vanya, As You Like It, Medea and Deep Blue Sea.
Alongside Michael Sheen, Helen also founded The Public, a theatrical production company with works at Liverpool Everyman, The Ambassadors and the Donmar. On hearing the news, Michael wrote:
‘So funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time. From the first moment I met her when we were just kids it was obvious she was very special. ‘It was an honour to work with her and know her. Much love to Damian and her family. Heartbreaking.’