Lena Headey Slams Hollywood's 'Weird Protection' of Predatory Men

Lena Headey has criticized the "weird protection" offered to predatory men in Hollywood, according to a new interview reported by Deadline. The actress, best known for playing Cersei Lannister in HBO's Game of Thrones, also discussed the backlash she received for not performing a nude scene herself.

In the interview with The Telegraph, Headey expressed anger at the industry's power dynamics. "The weird protection that we offer predatory men in the business because of the disproportionate power they wield, set against the need among vulnerable actresses to work to put food on the table to get the job — it makes me very angry," she said.

What happened with Harvey Weinstein?

Headey recounted a past experience with Harvey Weinstein, who is now in prison for multiple sexual assault charges. She said he made suggestive comments to her at the Venice Film Festival and later invited her to his hotel to show her a script.

Why was she shocked by the 'Game of Thrones' reaction?

The backlash came after Headey used a body double for Cersei Lannister's naked "walk of shame" in Season 5. "I was really shocked by the anger, by this idea that I’d duped the audience," she told the publication. She explained that acting the emotional scene in front of thousands of extras would have been impossible while feeling defensive about nudity.

Headey noted a shift in attitude since the #MeToo movement erupted in 2017, saying it revealed how widespread such behavior was. She sees a new generation of savvy women in the business.