Helen McCrory: looking back at the life of the ‘fearless’ star – video obituary

The actor, best known for her roles in the films The Queen and the Harry Potter franchise, as well as TV series including Peaky Blinders, has died at the age of 52.

Her husband, the fellow actor Damian Lewis, announced her death on Twitter, saying that McCrory had died ‘peacefully at home’. Lewis said: ‘I’m heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died … surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.’

Cillian Murphy, McCrory’s Peaky Blinders’ co-star, said: ‘I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend. Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being … She was also a gifted actor – fearless and magnificent.’