Wikipedia

Gwendoline Christie

Gwendoline Christie (born 28 October 1978[1]) is an English actress. She is known for portraying Brienne of Tarth in the HBO fantasy-drama series Game of Thrones (2012–2019), and the First Order stormtrooper Captain Phasma in the films Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). For the former, she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2019. Christie has since appeared in the Netflix fantasy series The Sandman and Wednesday (both 2022).

Gwendoline Christie
Gwendoline Christie at an event for Game of Thrones in 2019
Born (1978-10-28) 28 October 1978 (age 46)
Worthing, West Sussex, England
Alma materDrama Centre London
OccupationActress
Years active2006–present
PartnerGiles Deacon (2013–present)

Early life

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Gwendoline Christie was born in Worthing, West Sussex.[2] She has two older half-brothers.[3] Her mother was a housewife, and her father worked in sales and marketing.[4][5] She grew up in a hamlet near the South Downs.[6] As a child she trained as a gymnast but took up acting after a spinal injury.[7] Around 2002, she worked in a boutique in Brighton.[8]

After attending Varndean College in Brighton and Hove, she graduated from Drama Centre London in 2005.[9][6] She was told she "would probably never work because she didn't look the same as most actors", due to her unconventionally tall physique, and was even told "well, good luck with that" by her agent after stating she would like to work on screen. She was inspired to continue pursuing this goal by Tilda Swinton's performance in Orlando. In a 2017 interview, she recalled thinking "Well, she is in a film, she is otherworldly, and is definitely outside the room. I realised that maybe there is a place for me too."[10][11][12]

Career

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Christie performing at the London Palladium in 2009

Stage actress and early screen career (2006–2011)

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In 2002, Christie's height attracted the attention of photographer Polly Borland, who made Christie the subject of a noted series of photographs, entitled Bunny, between 2002 and 2008.[8] According to Christie, she felt then that the photographs in which she appears mostly nude could help her come to terms with her body, and challenge notions of femininity. However, she later said that she was shocked in retrospect that she had agreed to them.[5]

Christie's mentor since drama school has been actor and author Simon Callow.[6] Her theatrical career includes a performance as the Queen in Shakespeare's Cymbeline opposite Tom Hiddleston, portraying Mag Wildwood in Breakfast at Tiffany's, and "standing out" as Lucifer in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus (2010).[6][13][14][15]

On screen, Christie debuted with a 2007 short film titled The Time Surgeon, written and directed by Nathaniel Mellors. In the following years, she continued to appear in his works, such as Seven Ages of Britain Teaser, a short TV film acting as an introduction to the final episode of the documentary series Seven Ages of Britain, and the first four films of his Ourhouse series of experimental short films, released between 2010 and 2011 as parts of art exhibitions or in selected public screenings.[16] She was also involved in Ourhouse behind the scenes, acting as associate producer and being credited for casting, costumes, props, and make-up. Meanwhile, she made her feature film debut with a minor role in the Terry Gilliam film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in 2009. In 2009 she joined Patrick Wolf in the music video for "Damaris".

Joining Game of Thrones and Wizards vs Aliens (2011–2015)

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Christie with her Game of Thrones co-stars Carice van Houten and Liam Cunningham at San Diego Comic-Con in 2015

In July 2011, Christie was cast as the warrior Brienne of Tarth in the second season of HBO's fantasy TV series Game of Thrones.[17] Her character, an unusually tall, muscular, and plain-looking woman, is a favourite among many readers of the novels, and Christie had been proposed for the role by fans long before auditions took place.[6] Christie said that she could draw on her own experiences of having been bullied for her height and androgynous looks to play the part of Brienne, a role that she was passionate to play after reading the A Song of Ice and Fire novels which the show adapts.[7] To prepare even for the auditions, she started wearing unisex clothing to help her get into her character's more masculine mindset, and took up an intensive training regime, gaining over a stone (6.4 kg) of muscle mass.[6] According to series co-writer, producer, and author of the novels, George R. R. Martin, she obtained the role practically without debate after an arresting audition at which she appeared already made up and costumed as Brienne.[18] After being cast in the role, she prepared for it by working out extensively, taking horsemanship, sword-fighting, and stagefighting lessons.[19][6][11]

Her debut was in the second season's third episode, "What Is Dead May Never Die", which aired on 15 April 2012.[19] Her debut performance was well received by critics. Nina Shen Rastogi praised her "eloquent and economical physical performance", noting that her walk, stance, and mien effectively conveyed Brienne's single-minded devotion to her self-given quest to become a knight.[20][21] For her performance as Brienne in the show's third season, Christie was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2014.[22] As a part of the cast, she was also nominated for a total of four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (she was not a part of the nominated cast in certain years depending on her number of appearances each season).[23][24][25][26][27]

In addition to her role in Game of Thrones, Christie appeared in the British science fantasy series Wizards vs Aliens by Doctor Who writers Russell T Davies and Phil Ford from 2012 to 2013, in the main role of Lexi, the 17-year-old Princess of the Nekross, the alien species invading earth.[28] For the role, she wore heavy make-up, although she also appeared with her usual physique as Lucy, the human form of Lexi.[28] She also had a minor role in another Terry Gilliam movie, The Zero Theorem, released in 2013.

Star Wars and Top of the Lake (2015–present)

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In 2015, Christie played Commander Lyme in the fourth installment in The Hunger Games film series, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. Actress Lily Rabe had signed on for the part previously, but had to back out due to scheduling conflicts.[29] The same year, she joined the cast of Swallows and Amazons as Mrs. Blackett, but later dropped out.[30]

Also in 2015, Christie co-starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as Captain Phasma, one of the film's supporting antagonists.[31][32] Her performance, and the character's design, were both praised; however, the character received criticism for her minimal role in the film, particularly after she was prominently featured in promotional material.[33][34][35]

 
Gwendoline Christie at the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015.

In 2017, Christie had a main role in China Girl, the second season of Top of the Lake, as Miranda Hilmarson, a Constable in the Sydney Police Force, and the new partner of the show's main character played by Elisabeth Moss; the character was written especially for Gwendoline by series co-creator Jane Campion, after Christie asked her to be a part of the series.[36] The same year, she reprised her role of Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a sequel to The Force Awakens.[37] She would later reprise the role for three episodes of the animated series Star Wars Resistance in 2018.[38][39]

In 2018, she appeared as the bounty hunter Lady Jane in The Darkest Minds, an adaptation of the book trilogy The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, as Gwen in the Peter Strickland film In Fabric, and as the Russian caretaker Anna in the Robert Zemeckis film Welcome to Marwen.[40][41][42][43]

Game of Thrones concluded in 2019 with its eighth season; for her performance in the final season, Christie received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series; she also received a second Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television nomination for her performance in the final two seasons.[44][45][46]

In January 2021, Christie was cast as Lucifer in the Netflix adaptation of The Sandman.[47][48]

In November 2022, Christie played Principal Larissa Weems in the Netflix comedy horror series Wednesday.

In January 2024, Christie walked for Maison Margiela during Paris Couture Week, wearing the closing look of the collection.[49]

On August 20, 2024, Firaxis Games announced that Christie will be the narrator for their flagship game Civilization VII, to be released in February 2025.[50]

Personal life

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Christie is about 191.14–192 cm (6 ft 3.25 in – 6 ft 3.59 in) tall.[11][5] Her height led to her being bullied when she was younger.[51][52]

Since 2013, she has been in a long-time relationship with her partner, British fashion designer Giles Deacon.[53][54]

Filmography

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Feature films

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Classy Shopper 2
2013 The Zero Theorem Woman in Commercial
2015 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Commander Lyme
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Captain Phasma
2016 Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Herself
2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Captain Phasma
2018 The Darkest Minds Lady Jane
In Fabric Gwen
Welcome to Marwen Anna
2019 The Personal History of David Copperfield Jane Murdstone
Our Friend Teresa
2022 Flux Gourmet Jan Stevens
2024 Robin and the Hoods Aura

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Seven Ages of Britain Teaser The Operator Television film
2012–2013 Wizards vs Aliens Lexi Main role (seasons 1–2)
2012–2019 Game of Thrones Brienne of Tarth Recurring role (seasons 2–3); main (seasons 4–8)
2017 Top of the Lake: China Girl Miranda Hilmarson Main role (season 2)
2018 Star Wars Resistance Captain Phasma (voice) 3 episodes
2022 Green Eggs and Ham Marilyn Blouse (voice) Recurring role (season 2)
The Sandman Lucifer 2 episodes
Wednesday Larissa Weems Main role
2025 Severance † TBA Season 2
Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Theatre

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 Pravda Cindy Chichester Festival Theatre
Mirandolina Ortensia Royal Exchange, Manchester
2007 Cymbeline Queen Barbican Theatre
2009 Giantbum Sir Boss London's Tate Britain
Skin Deep Susannah Dangerfield Leeds Grand Theatre
Breakfast at Tiffany's Mag Wildwood Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
2010 Dr. Faustus Lucifer Royal Exchange, Manchester
2019 A Midsummer Night's Dream Titania/Hippolyta Bridge Theatre

Video games

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Year Title Voice role Notes
2016 Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens Captain Phasma [55]
2017 Star Wars Battlefront II
2025 Sid Meier's Civilization VII Narrator [56]

Short films

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Year Title Role Director(s) Notes
2007 The Time Surgeon The Tape Nathaniel Mellors Short film
2010 Ourhouse, Episode 1: 'Games' Annalise "Babydoll" Wilson Nathaniel Mellors Short film; also associate producer, and responsible for casting, costumes, props, and make-up
Ourhouse, Episode 4: 'Internal Problems' Annalise "Babydoll" Wilson Nathaniel Mellors Short film; also associate producer, and responsible for casting, costumes, props, and make-up
2011 Ourhouse, Episode 2: 'Class' Annalise "Babydoll" Wilson Nathaniel Mellors Short film; also associate producer, and responsible for casting, costumes, props, and make-up
Ourhouse, Episode 3: 'The Cure of Folly' Annalise "Babydoll" Wilson Nathaniel Mellors Short film; also associate producer, and responsible for casting
2016 The Dress The Woman Barnaby Roper Short film

She also appeared in the music video for Goldfrapp's "Strict Machine" in 2003 as well as the music video for "Damaris" by Patrick Wolf in 2009.

Audio dramas

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Year Title Role Notes
2020 The Sleeper and the Spindle The Queen [57]
2022 The Callisto Protocol: Helix Station Percy Prequel to the video game The Callisto Protocol

References

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  1. ^ Carter, Terry (31 December 2017). "30 Stars Who Will Toast to Their 40th Birthday in 2018". Pop Sugar. Retrieved 29 March 2023. Gwendoline Christie: Oct. 28
  2. ^ "Gwendoline Christie Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved 29 March 2023. Birth Place: Worthing, West Sussex, England
  3. ^ "Princess Julia". Julia506.rssing.com. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  4. ^ Gwendoline Christine, Christie Ventures Ltd; beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08212974/persons-with-significant-control
  5. ^ a b c McQuoid, Debbie (27 March 2013). "Gwendoline Christie: Natural Born Warrior". Stylist. Archived from the original on 17 June 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Game of Thrones: Gwendoline Christie Interview". 11 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  7. ^ a b Lash, Jolie (17 April 2012). "'Game of Thrones' – Gwendoline Christie Talks Digging Deep To Play Brienne". Access Hollywood. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  8. ^ a b Walker, Esther (29 June 2008). "How We Met: Gwendoline Christie & Polly Borland". The Independent. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Gwendoline Christie: a famous face in Burgess Hill". CommunityAd. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Top of the Lake: China Girl's Gwendoline Christie tells how she was inspired by Tilda Swinton". news.com.au. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  11. ^ a b c "She Slays!". Vogue. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie owes it to Tilda Swinton". The Sunday Post. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  13. ^ Best, Jason (30 May 2007). "Cymbeline". The Stage. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  14. ^ "Breakfast at Tiffanys – Theatre Royal Haymarket London – Cast and creative". london-theatreland.co.uk. 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  15. ^ Walker, Lynne (16 September 2010). "Doctor Faustus, Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester". The Independent. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  16. ^ "Ourhouse". Official Ourhouse website. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  17. ^ Hibberd, James (8 July 2011). "'Game of Thrones' casts fan favorite Brienne". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  18. ^ Martin, George R.R. (7 July 2011). "The Maid of Tarth". Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  19. ^ a b Jeffery, Morgan (12 April 2012). "'Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie: 'I'm similar to Brienne'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  20. ^ Shen Rastogi, Nina (16 April 2012). "Game of Thrones Recap: How Do You Sleep?". Vulture.com. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  21. ^ Shen Rastogi, Nina (8 April 2012). "TV's best show about women". Salon. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  22. ^ "Gravity, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Lead Saturn Awards Noms"
  23. ^ McNary, Dave (11 December 2013). "'12 Years a Slave' Leads SAG Awards with 4 Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  24. ^ "Nominations for the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". ComingSoon.net. 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  25. ^ Johnson, Zach (10 December 2014). "SAG Awards 2015: Complete List of Nominations!". E! News. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  26. ^ "SAG Awards Nominations: Complete List". Variety. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  27. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (13 December 2017). "SAG Award Nominations: Complete List". Variety. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  28. ^ a b Pantozzi, Jill (6 October 2012). "Game of Thrones' Brienne of Tarth Is One of Russell T. Davies' Aliens in Wizards Vs. Aliens". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  29. ^ "'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2' Adds 'Game of Thrones' Actress Gwendoline Christie". The Hollywood Reporter. 4 April 2014.
  30. ^ de Semlyen, Phil (24 June 2015). "Rafe Spall And Gwendoline Christie Join Swallows And Amazons". Empire.
  31. ^ "Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Gwendoline Christie Confirmed As Captain Phasma". Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  32. ^ Feeney, Nolan (2 June 2014). "Lupita Nyong'o, Gwendoline Christie Join New Star Wars Film Cast". Time. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  33. ^ McAloon, Jonathan (18 December 2015). "Star Wars: The Force Awakens: 12 loose ends and big questions". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  34. ^ Guerrasio, Jason (18 December 2015). "I saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and I have one big complaint about the movie". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  35. ^ Nicholson, Max (3 April 2016). "6 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Characters Who Need to Up Their Game in 'Episode VIII'". Collider.com. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  36. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (23 March 2017). "Gwendoline Christie on Playing the 'Complete Opposite' of Brienne of Tarth". The New York Times.
  37. ^ "Star Wars: The Last Jedi review – an explosive thrill-ride of galactic proportions". TheGuardian.com. 13 December 2017.
  38. ^ "Star Wars Resistance – New animated TV series will feature voices of Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie". The Independent. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  39. ^ "This 'Star Wars' Animated Series Starring Oscar Isaac & Gwendoline Christie Already Sounds Like A Must-Watch". Bustle. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  40. ^ Kit, Boris (23 March 2017). "Gwendoline Christie Joins Sci-Fi Thriller 'Darkest Minds' (Exclusive)". THR.
  41. ^ Kit, Boris (23 March 2017). "Breaking! Gwendoline Christie Has Been Cast As Lady Jane In 'The Darkest Minds'!". THR.
  42. ^ McNary, Dave (28 June 2017). "Gwendoline Christie Joins Steve Carell in Robert Zemeckis' Drama". Variety. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  43. ^ Warner, Sam (28 November 2017). "Hayley Squires, Julian Barratt, Gwendoline Christie join Peter Strickland's 'In Fabric'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  44. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (26 November 2018). "71st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Date Announced". Variety. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  45. ^ Hammond, Pete (15 July 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame', 'Game of Thrones' Lead Saturn Award Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  46. ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (15 July 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame', 'Game of Thrones' Lead the 2019 Saturn Awards Nominations". Collider. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  47. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (28 January 2021). "Neil Gaiman's 'The Sandman' Casts Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie, Vivienne Acheampong, Boyd Holbrook, Charles Dance, Asim Chaudhry And Sanjeev Bhaskar". Deadline.
  48. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (28 January 2021). "Netflix's 'Sandman' Cast Revealed: Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie to Star". The Hollywood Reporter.
  49. ^ Gagliardi, Pino (30 January 2024). "Gwendoline Christie Walks Margiela Couture as Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner Sit Front Row". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  50. ^ Sid Meier's Civilization (20 August 2024). Sid Meier’s Civilization VII - Narrator Reveal Trailer. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  51. ^ "Gwendoline Christie: 'Games of Thrones helped me overcome body issues'". Belfast Telegraph. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  52. ^ Lipworth, Elaine (24 November 2017). "Warrior woman: How Gwendoline Christie escaped the pressure to fit in". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  53. ^ Stephens, Brittney (31 August 2023). "Yes, Gwendoline Christie Is in a Relationship – and Her Women Have Celebrity Connections". PopSugar. PopSugar. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  54. ^ Cronin, Emily (6 August 2022). "Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie talks working with partners: 'We are in a happy relationship thought we do different things – both fascinate me'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 September 2023 – via telegraph.co.uk.
  55. ^ McGillan, Graeme (4 May 2016). "'Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Writer Talks New Mythology and Celebrity Voices". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  56. ^ "Sid Meier's Civilization® VII Launching Worldwide on February 11, 2025 – Company Announcement - FT.com". markets.ft.com. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  57. ^ "Drama – Neil Gaiman's The Sleeper and the Spindle – BBC Sounds". Retrieved 26 December 2022.
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