Lena Headey hits back at fans over Game of Thrones body double scene

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Headey responded to fans who criticised her for using a body double in her naked "walk of shame" scene from the season five finale of the fantasy drama.

"Some people thought that I was less of an actress because I didn't get me tits out," she said. "I've done nudity, I'm not averse to it."

Fans online claimed that the decision to use a double in the scene was not realistic, as Cersei's body as described in the books is older and more imperfect than the actress that they chose to use, while some called out Headey directly, saying that she hand-picked the body double and accusing her of vanity. But Headey said that was absolutely not the case.

"I had no judgment in that or desire to be involved," she said. "Because as a woman, that drives me mad; the thought I’m like, 'Nope! Nope!' [and dismissing nude women] in a room. I genuinely wouldn’t. Because none of it is about vanity for me — none of it — otherwise I couldn’t do it."

She added that to some extent, the use of a double was down to the emotional toll that it could potentially take on her and her loved ones.

"I know I’m a very emotional actor and I get really driven by that. In order to do my job, I allow myself to be really vulnerable... Things really affect me," she said. "I have kids and they know me now and [being naked in the scene] was just too much on top of that. So yeah, people that get it thought it was great."

The next time these haters have something to say about Headey's portrayal of Cersei, they should keep something in mind: a Lannister always pays her debts.