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Helen McCrory in 2019 Isabel Infantes via PA Images

Peaky Blinders actor Helen McCrory dies after 'heroic battle with cancer'

Cillian Murphy has led tributes to the “gifted, fearless and magnificent” actor.

LAST UPDATE | 16 Apr 2021

ACTOR HELEN MCCRORY, best known for starring in the Harry Potter films and Peaky Blinders, has died aged 52 after a “heroic battle with cancer”.  

Her husband and fellow actor Damian Lewis confirmed her death in a statement on social media this afternoon. 

“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 family and friends,” Lewis wrote. 

“She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives,” he said. 

“She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.” 

McCrory played the role of Polly Gray in the popular TV series Peaky Blinders from 2013 to 2020.

She also appeared in the final three Harry Potter films, playing the role of Narcissa Malfoy. 

Tributes to a ‘gifted’ actor

Cillian Murphy has led tributes to his Peaky Blinders co-star.

She was a gifted actor – fearless and magnificent. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played.
It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years.

“I will dearly miss my pal. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family.”

Actor Michael Sheen, who worked with McCrory on ITV drama Quiz, also praised her in a post on social media.

“So funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time,” he tweeted.

James Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said in a statement they are “devastated” by the death of the “extraordinarily talented and gracious” actor.

Alongside a photo of McCrory, actress Dame Helen Mirren wrote on Instagram: “A great actress and a great person. This is so very very sad.”

Asa Butterfield, who starred as a young teenager opposite Helen McCrory in the 2011 big-budget film Hugo, tweeted: “This really really hurts.

Thank you Helen, for your wisdom, your talent, your generosity. You lit up every room, and the world will miss you.

Comedian John Bishop, who starred alongside McCrory in ITV drama Fearless, tweeted:

I am shattered to hear this news. Helen was a beautiful supportive person to those of us who had the honour to know or work with her. The world has just lost some of its sparkle. My heart goes out to Damian and the family, no words of condolences will ever be enough.

Actor Jim Howick, who worked with McCrory and her husband Lewis on the 2015 comedy film Bill, tweeted: “This is so shocking and sad. Helen along with Damien were both terrific fun on Bill.

“She was so generous with her time and her performance. I urge everyone to listen to her Desert Island Disks. What a talent we have lost.”

Comedian Matt Lucas, who worked with McCrory on the FeedNHS campaign to supply food for NHS staff amid the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic, tweeted:

Helen McCrory will be remembered not just for her remarkable stage and screen performances, but also for her selflessness and generosity.”

Personal life

McCrory was born in Paddington, London, to a Welsh mother and Scottish-born father and was the eldest of three children.

She attended school in Hertfordshire, then spent a year living in Italy, before returning to London to study acting at the Drama Centre.

McCrory and Lewis married in 2007 and share a daughter Manon, born in 2006, and son Gulliver, born in 2007.

With reporting by Press Association

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    Mute frank_1916
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:18 PM

    my favorite actor in peaky blinders !!rest in peace

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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Apr 16th 2021, 8:04 PM

    @frank_1916: she stole most of the scenes she was in.

    And how she tamed Aberama Gold.

    RIP.

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    Mute Ross
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:18 PM

    Very sad news, So young to be dying, a beautiful woman who was a brilliant actor.. I particularly loved her character in peaky blinders. R.I.P

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    Mute Hughie O'Donnell
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:25 PM

    Brilliant Actor RIP

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    Mute Barbara O Doherty
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:28 PM

    Such a sad loss.thinking of her family

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    Mute Dawn Harvey
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:32 PM

    Such an amazing actress and a beautiful soul, she was so gripping to watch. The scene with the nuns, talent. Sadly gone too soon, RIP

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    Mute S J king
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:30 PM

    She was brilliant in Penny Dreadful.

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    Mute Dearbhla O Reilly
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:54 PM

    @S J king: great series. She was class.

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    Mute E
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    Apr 16th 2021, 6:32 PM

    @Dearbhla O Reilly: Penny Dreadful was one of the best series on television ever yet it’s criminally underrated and unknown. Her performance was sublime

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    Mute S J king
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    Apr 16th 2021, 6:47 PM

    @E: it has a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes to be fair. Brilliant series and a really good cast. Eva Green in particular was outstanding.

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    Mute wiklagirl
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:42 PM

    I’m really saddened to read this. She was mesmerising n Peaky Blinders

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    Mute Mike Kelly
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:43 PM

    She was wonderful in Peaky Binders. What a dreadful disease cancer is .. RIP and strength to all her family in the coming weeks and months

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    Mute Colm Phillips
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:38 PM

    Amazing actor, RIP

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    Mute Jenny
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    Apr 16th 2021, 6:41 PM

    Such sad news. Have only started watching Peaky Blinders in the last few weeks and absolutely love her character. She was a fantastic actress. Love to her husband and children. Rest In Peace.

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    Mute Sean May
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    Apr 16th 2021, 6:14 PM

    Terrible news. May she Rest in Peace.

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    Mute David Grey
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    Apr 16th 2021, 6:21 PM

    As a Brummie and Birmingham City Supporter I love Peaky Blinders.
    Great cast, she’ll be sadly missed.
    RIP

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    Mute Evelyn Monteith Hughes
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    Apr 16th 2021, 6:35 PM

    So sad to hear this, what a brilliant actress. God bless her family

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    Mute Ian McDonald
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    Apr 16th 2021, 5:44 PM

    She was great in Hugo too

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    Mute The Firestarter
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    Apr 16th 2021, 7:46 PM

    OMG that is so sad, never knew she was ill. Two brilliant actors, RIP Helen, way too young to go.

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    Mute Colin Mullen
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    Apr 16th 2021, 6:26 PM

    Shocking news, brilliant actor and so young to lose her life to that awful disease. RIP

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    Mute Jan Janet Coyle
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    Apr 16th 2021, 7:32 PM

    Another 1 gone God Rest Her and Sincere Condolences to her Husband and Family x

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    Mute John Hetherton
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    Apr 16th 2021, 10:29 PM

    Loved her as an actress and was my favourite character in Peaky Blinders. Gone to early as all the good ones seem to do. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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    Mute Jakie McLean
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    Apr 16th 2021, 10:58 PM

    Rip. Great actor. She did a lot of charity work as well above and beyond what others do. She also had a great sense of elegance and style. Condolences to her husband and children.

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    Mute Dennison's Waterford
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    Apr 16th 2021, 9:59 PM

    So sad, held the Peaky Blinders family together, Rest in peace.

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    Mute UnitedPeople #StopCETA
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    Apr 16th 2021, 10:43 PM

    Very tragic news. Brilliant actor and said by all, to be a lovely person. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

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    Mute Marty Lawless
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    Apr 16th 2021, 10:39 PM

    Very sad news great actor R.I.P.

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    Mute Aileen Aherne
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    Apr 16th 2021, 11:43 PM

    Superstar. RIP

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    Mute Seamus McKenzie
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    Apr 16th 2021, 11:53 PM

    Very sad news. Brilliant actress

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    Mute Finnster
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    Apr 17th 2021, 7:56 AM

    Such a talented actress . Very young to have died . Terrible disease cancer

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    Mute Donal Sweeney
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    Apr 17th 2021, 9:45 AM

    I so looked forward to her scenes in PB. A great actress and gorgeous looking woman. Thoughts and prayers to all her family

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Apr 17th 2021, 2:19 AM

    Great actor rip

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    Apr 17th 2021, 11:10 AM

    Very sad news, RIP Helen. She gave an unforgettable performance in Penny Dreadful!

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    Apr 17th 2021, 7:26 PM

    Wonderful Actor. Very Sad. RIP.

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