Before Lena Headey was cast as the power-hungry queen Cersei Lannister on Game of Thrones, a handful of other actresses were considered for the role. In fact, one beloved actress, in particular, was offered the role but decided to turn it down. The House Lannister could have turned out much differently if the casting director went with another leading lady.
As one of the prominent Great Houses in Westeros, the members of House Lannister were integral figures throughout the series, are were often the subjects of Game of Thrones' steamiest scenes. Cersei united the Lannisters with House Baratheon after marrying King Robert, making her the queen of the Seven Kingdoms for a time. Since her mother died years prior, Cersei stood as the eldest female in her family. Despite not sitting on the Iron Throne, she pulled many of the strings while residing in King's Landing. After the deaths of her children, Cersei grew more ruthless and didn't care about the innocent lives that suffered as she continued to crave power.
Cersei was one of the most complex characters featured in the HBO fantasy series. At times, it felt like the character deserved sympathy for the tragedies she faced until remembering her manipulative and despicable actions. The conflicting emotions that Cersei caused in viewers was a result of Headey's stellar performance. The actress, however, was not the early choice for the role. Not only did actress Trica Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Lucifer) audition for the role, but so did Gillian Anderson. In fact, The X-Files alum was offered the role of Cersei before it went to Headey.
Why Gillian Anderson Turned Down A Role On Game Of Thrones
A few years after the HBO series premiered, Anderson revealed in an interview (via Daily Mail) that she turned down roles on Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. The exact role wasn't specified as Cersei Lannister until much later, but it might come as a surprise that an actress would pass up a role of a lifetime. Anderson, for her own personal reasons, didn't see it that way, and seemed more concerned about committing to a long-term role. Anderson still joked that her daughter can't believe she passed up an opportunity to be on a mega-hit like Game of Thrones. By declining the offer, Anderson had the time to work on The Fall, Hannibal, The X-Files reboot, American Gods, theatre productions, and more than a dozen film roles.
Losing Anderson's celebrity status didn't end up diminishing Game of Thrones in any way. Headey thrived in the role as one of the most intelligent Lannisters, and it propelled her to mainstream notoriety. The actress was nominated for various awards for every year of her tenure on the series. What she left behind with the role will be one of the most memorable aspects of the series. Cersei served as one of the show's best villains and Headey should be credited in presenting a member of royalty into such a sadistic figure.