Star Helen loses ‘heroic battle’ with cancer at 52
ACTRESS Helen McCrory has died from cancer aged 52, her heartbroken husband Damian Lewis revealed yesterday.
Helen, who was best known for starring in BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders as well as James Bond movie Skyfall and the Harry Potter films, died peacefully at home, Damian said in an emotional statement online.
He wrote on Twitter: “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.”
Helen and Homeland star Damian, 50, married in 2007 and had two children: a daughter Manon, 14, and a son Gulliver, 13.
The actress’s last public appearance was in mid-March on Good Morning Britain, when the couple spoke about their charity work.
At the time she sparked questions about her “croaky voice”. Presenter Kate Garraway asked her: “Are you all right, Helen? You sound a bit croaky. Have you got a sore throat?”
Helen quickly responded: “I’ve got children!” She was best known for her role as matriarch Aunt Polly in all five series of Peaky Blinders and as MP Clair Dowar in the 2012 Bond film Skyfall. She also played Narcissa Malfoy, mother of Slytherin student Draco, in the final three Harry Potter films.
During the pandemic, she and Damian set up the FeedNHS programme, raising £1million to help feed frontline NHS staff.
As news of her death broke, tributes flooded in across social media.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling said she was “devastated” and described Helen as “an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman who’s left us far too soon”.
Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, due to star with Helen again in the sixth series, said: “I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend. Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being. She was also a gifted actor – fearless and magnificent. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played. “I will dearly miss my pal.” Comedian Matt Lucas said Helen – who talked of going to the pub in a tiara – would be remembered not only for her remarkable stage and screen performances “but also for her selflessness and generosity”.
He said: “She and Damian were the motor driving FeedNHS, working tirelessly in the pandemic to raise millions for others. What a tremendous loss.” Radio presenter the Rev Richard Coles described Helen as a “brilliant” actor and sent his condolences to “all who loved her”.
Actor Jim Howick, who worked with Helen and Damian on the 2015 Shakespeare comedy film Bill, tweeted: “I urge everyone to listen to her Desert Island Discs. What a talent we have lost.”
Historian Sir Simon Schama said: “Years ago I showed her round the Met [the art museum in New York] and she connected with the art in great waves of passion and joy.
“When she was in the room everything seemed brighter.”
Michael Sheen, who worked with Helen on ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire drama Quiz, 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. Heartbreaking.”
William Russell, Lord Mayor of the City of London and Damian’s half-brother, said it was “a huge loss to my family as well as to British acting”.
Londoner Helen’s career began in the 1990s, when she appeared in stage productions including Macbeth and PrideAnd Prejudice.
Helen, nominated twice for an Olivier award, moved into film and TV work, playing Cherie Blair in the movie The Queen and later in The Special Relationship. She appeared in DrWho in 2019.
In 2017 she was awarded an OBE for services to drama. Speaking on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in July last year, she reflected on her life and admitted it was not something she did often.
“I don’t really reflect.When I was asked to look at different bits of my life for this programme I had to look on the internet to see what I’d done. I’ve lived life at 150 miles an hour.
“I just think that is the truth of it and I’ve never really stopped, and that is a by-product.”