Lena Headey Reflects on Hollywood’s Treatment of Women, Says Industry Has Changed Since #MeToo

Lena Headey is speaking candidly about the challenges women have long faced in the entertainment industry, saying many young actresses once viewed uncomfortable on-set experiences as a “rite of passage.”

In an interview with The Telegraph published July 16, the Game of Thrones star discussed her new BBC radio drama, Intimacy, which she wrote and stars in. The drama follows an intimacy coordinator who discovers the director on her latest film is the man who raped her years earlier.

Headey said the story was inspired by experiences she witnessed throughout her career, recalling that, before intimacy coordinators became common, actors often received little support during nude or intimate scenes. She admitted she frequently accepted uncomfortable situations without questioning whether she was being adequately protected.

The actress also revisited her past allegations against former film producer Harvey Weinstein, saying her anger extends beyond one individual to an industry that has historically protected powerful men while leaving vulnerable actresses exposed. She credited the #MeToo movement with revealing how widespread the problem was.

Reflecting on her years as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, Headey said she was able to advocate for herself because of her experience, unlike some younger castmates. She also defended her decision to use a body double for Cersei’s infamous “walk of shame,” saying she was surprised by the backlash after the choice became public.

Now 52, Headey said she is less interested in meeting others’ expectations and more focused on creating stories that resonate with women. Her new radio drama, Intimacy, is available to stream on BBC Sounds.