Gwendoline Christie / Brienne of Tarth: roles and films

Childhood and youth

Gwendolyn was born on October 28, 1978 in Worthing, England. Her mother is a housewife and her father worked in sales and marketing.

Gwendoline Christie without makeup

As a child, Christie was a professional gymnast, but after a spinal injury she had to forget about playing sports. At the age of 12, her height was 173 cm, by the age of 14 she had grown to 185.

Now Gwendoline Christie's height is 191 centimeters.

At the age of 15, she played the main role in the school production of “Lady Macbeth” and realized that she wanted to connect her life with the stage, although she was a very shy child. Having informed her parents about the decision, she unexpectedly met with support. However, her first fame did not come as an actress.

In 2002, tall, pretty Christie was noticed by photographer Polly Borland, who was just launching a new project, and invited her to a test photo shoot. According to Christie, shooting nude for Polly's daring photo shoot helped her come to terms with her body and embrace her femininity. The fruitful collaboration between the model and photographer lasted 6 years.

One of the many photographs of Gwendoline Christie taken by Polly Borland

“Gwendolyn is very funny, charismatic, sensitive and loving. She is attractive in every sense, a real magnet for others,” said Polly.

Gwendoline Christie and Polly Borland

Gwendolyn received her acting education at the Drama Center in London, where she graduated in 2005 (and where her future Thrones colleague Emilia Clarke also studied). Her mentor was the famous English actor and director Simon Callow. The years of study were catastrophically difficult.

Biography

Gwendoline Christie became known to most viewers after playing the role of the warrior maiden Brienne of Tarth in the series “Game of Thrones.” This role was a breakthrough for the artist, who had previously been in demand more as a theater actress. Gwendolyn was born on October 28, 1978 in Worthing, England. The actress's mother is a housewife, and her father worked in sales and marketing.

Actress Gwendoline Christie

As a child, Christie was a professional gymnast, but after a spinal injury she had to forget about playing sports. At the age of 12, her height was 173 cm, by the age of 14 she had grown to 191 cm.

At the age of 15, Gwendolyn played the main role in the school production of “Lady Macbeth” and realized that she wanted to connect her life with the stage, despite the fact that in her childhood she was very shy. Having informed her parents about the decision, the girl unexpectedly found support.

Gwendoline Christie in her youth

It is worth noting that popularity came to the star of the series “Game of Thrones” when she tried her hand as a fashion model. In 2002, tall, pretty Christie was noticed by photographer Polly Borland. At that time, she was preparing a new project for release and invited the charming blonde to a test photo shoot.

According to Christie, shooting nude for Polly's daring photo shoot helped her come to terms with her body and embrace her femininity. The fruitful collaboration between the model and photographer lasted 6 years.

Model Gwendoline Christie

Gwendolyn received her acting education at the Drama Center in London, where she graduated in 2005 (and where her future Game of Thrones colleague Emilia Clarke also studied). During her studies, her mentor was the English actor and director Simon Callow.

According to the artist, the years of study were catastrophically difficult. In conversations with media representatives, Christie often said that teachers told the entire stream of students every day that they were insignificant and would not achieve anything. After a couple of years, the actress realized that this was done for motivational purposes, but at that time it was extremely difficult for her to combine hours of classes that lasted until the evening, with pressure from teachers.

Actor career. Game of Thrones

Gwendoline started acting relatively late - her first film was the little-known fantasy drama “The Time Surgeon” (2007), which featured only three actors.
In 2011, Christie was offered the role of Lexi, Princess of Nekron in the fantasy television series Wizards vs. Aliens. The series did not gain much popularity, although Christie acquired her own fans.

In the photo: Gwendoline Christie and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Gwendoline's real popularity came from her role as Brienne of Tarth in the acclaimed television series Game of Thrones. Christie's character - a tall, strong warrior who dreams of knighthood - was especially beloved by readers of George R.R. Martin's novels, who suggested that Christie would be a good fit for the role in the second season.

Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth

Gwendolyn shared that after reading the book, she herself was delighted with Brienne, and besides, she was also familiar with bullying about her height and masculine appearance. Brienne of Tarth vs. the Hound To prepare for the audition and “get into the masculine mindset,” Brienne began wearing unisex clothes, began intensive training, lost about 15 kilograms and gained it back in the form of muscle mass.

Brienne of Tarth has been painted

According to George R.R. Martin, when Gwendoline walked onto the set dressed as Brienne, everyone immediately realized that they wouldn’t have to look for anyone else to play the role. After Christie was cast in the role, she began taking horse riding and theatrical wrestling lessons.

Brienne is one of the most popular characters in the series

Fans of the series, especially the female audience, mostly adore Birenna Tarth. She became a symbol of female independence, along with the heroines of Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Emilia Clarke and Gemma Whelan.

Women of Game of Thrones

In 2020, the film “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” was released. Part II" with Jennifer Lawrence, in which Gwendolyn played Lime, the winner of the next Hunger Games, mentor and commander of the uprising in District 2. Lily Rabe was originally supposed to play this role, but the actress had to abandon the project due to conflicting filming schedules. Brienne Tark vs. Arya Stark (Season 7, Episode 4) Also this year, Christie appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Captain Phasma in the First Order, one of the main antagonists of the film along with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Thus, she became the first female villain in this space franchise.

Star Wars: Gwendoline Christie as Phasma

In 2020, the actress was invited to play the role of Constable Miranda Hilmarsson in the detective series Top of the Lake, starring Elisabeth Moss, Peter Mullan and Nicole Kidman.

Still from the series “Top of the Lake”

Photos of the Game of Thrones actors in real life

The uniqueness of the Game of Thrones series lies not only in the exciting plot, but also in the well-thought-out details and style of the characters in the saga. Wigs, makeup and complex costumes transform the actors so much that it is very difficult to recognize them in real life. Here's what the show's stars look like outside of Westeros.

Daenerys Targaryen's blonde hair doesn't look its best after the queen is captured by Dothraki horsemen.

British actress Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys, is actually a brunette.

Missandei is Daenerys's trusted advisor. She will help rule Meereen during the queen's absence.

Missandei is played by English actress Nathalie Emmanuel, who looks as regal as a queen on the red carpet.

Missandei's ally will be the leader of the Unsullied army, Gray Worm.

In real life, actor Jacob Anderson's hair is slightly longer than his character's.

At the beginning of the sixth season, Jorah Mormont will try to find and return Daenerys to Meereen.

Jorah is played by Scottish actor Lane Glen, as desperate as his hero, only without the gray hair.

Jorah will be joined by the queen's lover and advisor Daario Naharis in his search for Daenerys.

Dutch actor Michiel Huisman's hair is a little shorter in real life, but he still looks just as amazing.

In Daenerys' absence, Tyrion Lannister will also help rule Meereen.

American actor Peter Dinklage received two Emmy awards for his role in the series.

The last member of Myrin’s team will be the eunuch Varis, nicknamed “Spider,” the head of an extensive spy network.

Irish actor Conleth Hill shaves his head for the role, but here's what he looks like in real life.

In previous seasons, Cersei Lannister had long, luxurious hair, but it was cut off before her ignominious passage through King's Landing.

In the sixth season, actress Lena Headey's dark hair will be hidden under a blonde wig.

His High Sparrow will become Cersei's main rival in the new season.

The head of the Church of the Seven is played by Welsh actor and singer Jonathan Pryce, who actually doesn't look all that menacing.

Fans of the series will probably remember that Lancel Lannister was the lover of Queen Cersei. Now he is a member of a religious movement called "Sparrows".

The role of Lancel is played by British actor Eugene Simon.

Margaery Tyrel may become Queen of Westeros, but she is currently at the mercy of the Church of the Seven.

In fact, Natalie Dormer, who plays Margaery, is blonde.

Margaery's brother Loras Tirel was arrested on charges of homosexuality.

Although his character is imprisoned, the English actor Finn Jones who plays Loras showed excellent spirits at the premiere.

Boy King Tommen Baratheon will have to make many decisions while his wife Margaery is in prison and his mother Cersei is on the warpath.

Baratheon is played by actor Dean-Charles Chapman, but in real life his hair is much darker.

Jaime Lannister has returned to King's Landing and his twin sister Cersei after a difficult time in Dorne.

Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays Jaime, is just as energetic off the set. By the way, the actor played in one of the commercials dedicated to Apple TV.

Brienne of Tarth is a stern warrior who killed Stannis Baratheon in the finale of the fifth season.

Brienne is played by actress Gwendoline Christie, who had to cut her hair short for the role.

On her journey through Westeros, the Maid of Tarth is accompanied by Podrick, Tyrion's former squire.

The role of Pod is played by Scottish actor Daniel Portman, who in real life looks much more suave than his character.

Davos Seaworth was the right hand of Stannis Baratheon, but next season he will settle down in Castle Black.

Irish actor Liam Cunningham's beard looks more well-groomed in real life.

Jon Snow was killed by his brothers from the Night's Watch at the end of the fifth season.

Actor Kit Harrington still hasn't cut his locks. According to fans, John will “come to life” in the sixth season.

The Priestess of the Lord of Light, Melisandre, is also in Castle Black. Perhaps she will revive John using her mysterious powers?

In real life, Dutch actress Carice van Houten does not look as serious as her heroine.

Ser Alliser Thorne was one of the brothers who took the life of Jon Snow.

In fact, Welsh actor Owen Teale is quite friendly.

Sansa Stark has finally escaped the clutches of Ramsay Bolton and returned to the Stark colors once again.

British actress Sophie Turner is actually blonde, but she dyes her hair red for the role.

Theon Greyjoy, nicknamed “Smelly,” fled with Sansa.

English actor Alfie Allen cannot be called a “stinker”, and he is also the brother of singer Lily Allen.

The head of House Bolton, Ramsay Bolton, is currently in Winterfell, the former Stark ancestral castle.

The performer of the role of Bolton, Iwan Rheon, is not such a villain in real life as his hero.

Ramsay Roose Bolton's father is not much better than his bloodthirsty son.

But actor Michael McElhatton, who plays Roose, is anything but a sadist.

Peter "Littlefinger" Baelish wears black and silver in the series and wears a short goatee.

In real life, Irish actor Aiden Gillen prefers a clean-shaven face.

At the end of the fifth season, Arya Stark went blind.

British actress Maisie Williams has excellent eyesight.

Arya's tormentor in the House of Black and White is known only by the nickname "Strider".

In real life, "The Tramp" (actress Fay Marsay) looks more elegant.

In season six, Bran Stark looks all grown up and is preparing to become a treeseer, able to see the past, present and future.

British actor Isaac Hempstead Wright is already 17 years old. He has been on the set of Game of Thrones since he was 11 years old.

When we last saw Hodor, he was accompanying Bran to Brynden Rivers, aka Bloodraven.

The role of Hodor was played by Irish actor and DJ Kristian Nairn.

Samwell Tarly goes to Oldtown to become a maester.

This is what English actor John Bradley-West, who plays Tarly, looked like at the premiere of the sixth season of the series.

Accompanying the Tarlys will be Gilly, whom Sam took from Craster's castle.

On the red carpet, English actress Hannah Murray looks nothing like her character.

Personal life of Gwendoline Christie

Since 2012, Christie has been in a relationship with fashion designer Giles Deacon. Even before their romantic relationship began, Gwendolyn and Deacon had been good friends for a long time. Now Christie fully supports Deacon and calls him one of her favorite designers. The couple has no children.

Gwendoline Christie and her boyfriend, designer Giles Deacon

Gwendoline Christie now

In December 2020, the film Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be released on big screens, in which Christie will reprise her role as Phasma. In 2017, the actress was also busy filming the American thriller “The Darkest Minds” starring Mandy Moore and Amanda Stenberg, as well as a new project by Robert Zemeckis, the name of which has not yet been announced.

2020: Gwendoline Christie at the Game of Thrones season 7 premiere

Career[ | ]

In 2005, Gwendolyn completed her studies at the Drama Center in London[en]. She began her creative career with the role of the Queen in the play “Cymbeline” and a role in the play based on the work of Christopher Marlowe “Doctor Faustus”[en] in 2010.

Gwendolyn's first film was the little-known fantasy drama The Surgeon's Time in 2007. In 2011, Christie was offered the role of Lexi, Princess of Nekron, in the fantasy television series Wizards vs. Aliens. Although the series was not particularly popular.

Game of Thrones[ | ]

Gwendoline became famous worldwide for her role as Brienne of Tarth in the TV series Game of Thrones. In July 2011, the actress was cast for this role in the second season of the television series filmed by HBO[5].

Brienne of Tarth

- a very tall, large, strong woman who masterfully wields a sword and dreams of becoming a knight. This heroine is very much loved by many fans and admirers of the book series and TV series. An interesting fact is that the candidacy of Gwendoline Christie was discussed on fan sites of the “Song of Ice and Fire” series long before the filming of the second season, where she was considered one of the main contenders for the role of the Maid of Tarth, as Brienne is called in George Martin’s books. In an interview, Gwendolyn herself said:

They told me that they were discussing something on the Internet about some kind of role for me, I looked in and decided to read the books. As soon as I found out the details about this character and the role, I became eager to play it. I wrote on Twitter that I would like to get this role... I had never done this before, but I was so passionate about it, I started watching the first season of the series... I really wanted to take part in it. I am completely absorbed in this role[6].
Original text (English)
I was told that there was something online about me being discussed in relation to this part, and so I had a look and I thought, 'OK, I'll read the books,' and as soon as I read about this character and read about the part, I just wanted this part… I wrote on Twitter that I wanted to play it… I've never really done anything like that before, but I felt so passionate about the part and started watching the series when it came on… It's something I absolutely wanted to be a part of.[4]