Harry Potter actress Helen McCrory dies aged 52, husband Damian Lewis announces
Helen McCrory, the star who played Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise and Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders, has died, aged 52.
The actress passed away after a battle with cancer, her husband, Damian Lewis, revealed on Friday.
"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," Lewis wrote on Twitter.
Helen McCrory has died after a battle with cancer, her husband, Damian Lewis, revealed on Friday. Dave Benett/Getty Images
"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."
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Lewis and McCrory met in 2003 and have been married for 14 years, after they wed in 2007 at the Kensington and Chelsea Registry Office.
They have two children together — daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13.
McCrory was reportedly cast as Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix but had to pull out due to her pregnancy.
She was replaced by Helena Bonham Carter but returned in the Half-Blood Prince to play Bellatrix's sister Narcissa Malfoy.
Helen McCrory (second right) played Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise. Warner Bros
More recently, she became known for her work in Peaky Blinders and just weeks ago was confirmed to be returning for the show's sixth and final season.
The English actress also appeared in the James Bond film Skyfall, Martin Scorsese's Hugo and The Special Relationship.
McCrory played Cherie Booth, wife of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, in The Queen, opposite Michael Sheen.
Helen McCrory starred as Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders. BBC STUDIOS/CARYN MANDABACH PRODUCTIONS/BBC
Just weeks ago, McCrory was confirmed to be returning for Peaky Blinders' sixth and final season. BBC STUDIOS/CARYN MANDABACH PRODUCTIONS/BBC
The actress was awarded an OBE for services to drama in the 2017 New Year Honours.
The couple are known for their charity work and are ambassadors for the Prince's Trust.
Last year, they raised more than £1 million ($1.78m) to help get hot meals delivered to frontline workers during the first wave of the coronavirus lockdowns in the UK.
READ MORE: Harry Potter star Katie Leung says she was told to deny 'awful' racist abuse against her
Helen McCrory shares two children with Damian Lewis - daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13. PA Images via Getty Images
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