‘All our love and thoughts are with Helen’s family’
Tributes have been coming in from across the world of acting and television honouring Peaky Blinders star Helen McCrory, after she passed away at the age of 52.
The news was announced on Friday by her husband Damian Lewis in an emotional post on Twitter.
Lewis wrote: “I’m heartbroken to announce that after an 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.”
Since then, tributes have been pouring in from fellow actors, stars of Peaky Blinders and the show’s official account.
Helen McCrory as Polly Gray
All our love and thoughts are with Helen’s family.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/HBEg4Hz2Up
— Peaky Blinders (@ThePeakyBlinder) April 16, 2021
Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, said that he was “”broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend,” and that it was ” a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman… I will dearly miss my pal”.
The show’s creator Steven Knight described her as “one of the great actors of her generation.”
Horrible Histories and Ghosts star Ben Willbond wrote: “Heartbroken at the news that Helen McCrory has died. She was so so brilliant when she came to work on Bill. Funny, generous, some wicked stories. I was in awe. My heart goes out to Damian and their family. Rest in peace.”
Meanwhile Reece Shearsmith, star of the League of Gentlemen, also paid tribute to the McCrory. The two had worked together in theatre and on Shearsmith’s show Inside No.9. He described the loss as “unfathomable.”
https://twitter.com/ReeceShearsmith/status/1383090390065090560?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Along with her most famous role as family matriarch Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders, McCrory also starred in the Harry Potter films as Narcissa Malfoy. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling paid tribute to the actress, writing that she was “devastated to learn of her death.”
I’m devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman who’s left us far too soon. My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children. Simply heartbreaking news.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2021
In 2010 she appeared in the Doctor Who episode ‘The Vampires of Venice’, and the show also tweeted their condolences.
We are sad to report the death of actress Helen McCrory, who starred in 'The Vampires of Venice' https://t.co/tIkFbO6uHN pic.twitter.com/vfdI8mWERz
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) April 16, 2021
And Michael Sheen, who set up a theatrical production company with McCrory, said that it was “an honour to work with her and know her.”
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. Much love to Damian and her family. Heartbreaking. https://t.co/gsBO5Fr1ev
— michael sheen 💙 (@michaelsheen) April 16, 2021
So many more have paid tribute, including Skyfall director Sam Mendes, comedian Matt Lucas, and BBC director of drama Piers Wenger. The volume of tributes and the people they have come from truly demonstrate the talent that McCrory was and the monumental loss this is.
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