Helen McCrory, who was best-known for playing Narcissa Malfoy in the film adaptations of JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels, died at the age of 52 on Friday. Her husband and actor Damian Lewis shared a statement on Twitter announcing that she had died at home after "a heroic battle with cancer." He tweeted, "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," he wrote in a Twitter post. He added, "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."
Read Damian Lewis' tweet here:
— Damian Lewis (@lewis_damian) April 16, 2021
Helen McCrory's co-stars, united by grief, poured their hearts out on social media. Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular role in the Harry Potter series' shared a statement that read: "I truly couldn't believe this news when I heard it. Helen was one of the most incredible actors I got to work with on the Harry Potter films. She was effortlessly commanding and captivating as an actor, as well as being kind, generous and incredibly good fun as a person. Also, as it happens, she's one of the absolute coolest people I've ever met, in that I can't ever imagine her being flustered or nervous, she always seemed totally assured of who she was and what she was doing. She was a supreme talent and a wonderful person and will be very greatly missed," reported Metro.co.uk.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling tweeted, "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."
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
The official Twitter account of Peaky Blinders, in which the late actress played the role of Aunt Polly, also paid tribute to Helen McCrory. The team tweeted: "Helen McCrory as Polly Gray All our love and thoughts are with Helen's family. Rest in peace."
Helen McCrory as Polly Gray
— Peaky Blinders (@ThePeakyBlinder) April 16, 2021
All our love and thoughts are with Helen's family.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/HBEg4Hz2Up
Here are some more tributes for Helen McCrory:
We're sad to hear of the death of actor Helen McCrory. As well as fearless Polly Gray in BAFTA-winning Peaky Blinders, she was in 2007 Best Film BAFTA winner The Queen, amongst many other films and TV shows. pic.twitter.com/1CzeIIYfzE
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) April 16, 2021
How terribly sad that we've lost Helen McCrory so young. She was one of the finest, most versatile and charming actors of her generation. The thoughts of all her many fans will be with Damian and the kids right now. RIP x
— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) April 16, 2021
Besides the Harry Potter films and Peaky Blinders, Helen McCrory featured in the James Bond movie Skyfall. She is survived by two children - daughter Manon, 14, and 13-year-old son Gulliver.
