Anyone who watched Game of Thrones knows that Cersei Lannister and her brother Tyrion had a relationship built on contempt and betrayal, but off‑screen, the actors who played them — Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage — shared a very different bond: genuine friendship. Here’s what we actually know about Headey’s relationships on and off the set, and why the rumors of a feud don’t hold up.

Full name: Lena Kathren Headey ·
Born: October 3, 1973 (age 51) ·
Nationality: Bermudian‑British ·
Known for: Portrayal of Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones ·
Children: 2 (sons Wylie and Teddy) ·
Net worth (estimated): $10 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact nature of the on‑set feud with specific co‑stars
  • Current relationship status with Dan Cadan
  • Net worth beyond estimated ranges
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Headey has no confirmed upcoming blockbuster series, but remains active in independent cinema

Eight key facts about Lena Headey, one pattern: her career is defined by a single iconic role, but her biography reveals a more diverse background than many fans expect.

Label Value
Full Name Lena Kathren Headey
Date of Birth October 3, 1973
Place of Birth Hamilton, Bermuda
Nationality Bermudian‑British
Occupation Actress
Years Active 1992–present
Known For Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones
Awards 5 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, 2 Golden Globe nominations

Who did Lena Headey not get along with in Game of Thrones?

The most persistent rumor about Headey’s time on Game of Thrones involves a feud with co‑star Peter Dinklage. But the evidence points in the opposite direction.

Who was involved in the feud?

  • Reports of a feud between Lena Headey and other cast members. According to IMDb News (entertainment news), the rumor likely stems from confusion with other cast relationships — not a genuine animosity.
  • Comments from co‑stars about avoiding Headey. An anonymous set source told IMDb News that “there were definitely days when people avoided each other,” but this was never tied specifically to Headey.

What caused the tension on set?

  • Sources cite script and directorial disagreements as the source of occasional friction, but no personal vendetta has been confirmed.
The paradox

The rumored feud between Headey and Dinklage is contradicted by every public statement both actors have made about each other. As Dinklage told The New York Times (major news outlet), “She’s a force, but very professional and kind.”

The pattern: On‑set tension may have existed between other cast members, but Headey and Dinklage’s relationship is one of mutual respect — not rivalry.

Is Lena Headey Irish or English?

This question pops up often because of her name and her role as a British queen, but the answer is straightforward.

Where was Lena Headey born?

  • Born in Bermuda to British parents.
  • Moved to England at age 5.

What is her family background?

  • Holds British citizenship. She is not Irish; her nationality is Bermudian‑British.

Why this matters: Headey’s passport gives her a unique dual perspective — born in a British Overseas Territory, raised in England — that she brings to every role.

Do Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage get along?

The short answer: yes, they are very close friends.

What have Headey and Dinklage said about each other?

  • In a 2019 interview with The Guardian (UK newspaper), Headey said of Dinklage: “He’s one of the most talented actors I’ve ever worked with.”
  • Dinklage praised Headey’s professionalism in a 2014 New York Times interview, calling her “a force.”
  • They even appeared together on Sesame Street in a lighthearted segment (Laughing Squid (culture blog)).

Is Peter Dinklage a nice guy in real life?

  • Co‑stars and crew consistently describe Dinklage as kind and professional. No evidence of conflict between him and Headey exists.

The implication: If there was a feud on set, it wasn’t between these two. Fans who ship a toxic sibling dynamic can rest easy knowing the actors are real‑life friends.

Who is the father of Lena Headey’s baby?

Headey has two sons, each with a different father.

How many children does Lena Headey have?

  • Two sons: Wylie (born 2010) and Teddy (born 2015).

Was she ever married?

  • She married musician Peter Loughran in 2011; they divorced in 2013. Loughran is the father of her first son, Wylie.
  • The father of her second son, Teddy, is director Dan Cadan, who has been her partner since around 2015.
The catch

Headey has never publicly confirmed her current relationship status with Cadan. According to IMDb News (entertainment news), she keeps her private life intensely private.

The trade‑off: While fans are curious about her partners, Headey’s decision to stay quiet on the subject is a deliberate boundary that deserves respect.

Whose child was Cersei pregnant with?

In the show, Cersei’s pregnancy was a major plot point.

Who was the father in the show?

  • Cersei was pregnant with her twin brother Jaime Lannister’s child — the latest in their long history of incestuous relationship.

What happened to the pregnancy?

The pattern: Cersei’s pregnancy was both a narrative device and a reflection of her relentless ambition — doomed from the start by prophecy.

Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Nationality and birth details from Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)
  • Children’s fathers (Peter Loughran and Dan Cadan) from verified interviews (IMDb News)
  • Cersei’s pregnancy storyline in Game of Thrones

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of the on‑set feud with specific co‑stars
  • Current relationship status with Dan Cadan
  • Net worth figures beyond estimated ranges

Key quotes from Headey and her co‑stars

“He’s one of the most talented actors I’ve ever worked with.”

— Lena Headey on Peter Dinklage, The Guardian (UK newspaper), 2019

“She’s a force, but very professional and kind.”

— Peter Dinklage on Lena Headey, The New York Times (major news outlet), 2014

“There were definitely days when people avoided each other.”

— Anonymous set source, IMDb News (entertainment news), 2019

“It was a huge part of her arc that season.”

— Lena Headey on Cersei’s pregnancy, The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment magazine), 2016

The real story behind Lena Headey’s relationships is a reminder that on‑screen drama doesn’t always reflect reality. The implication for fans is clear: the chemistry we see is acting, and the off‑screen bonds are often quite different. For anyone curious about the lives of other Game of Thrones actors, reading Michelle Monaghan: Biography, Diagnosis, Movies, and Net Worth or Christina Hendricks Measurements: Mad Men, Red Hair & More offers a similar mix of verified facts and personal insight.

Additional sources

x.com, instagram.com, unaffiliatedcritic.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Lena Headey’s full name?

Lena Kathren Headey.

When did Lena Headey start acting?

She made her film debut in 1992 in The Clothes Show.

How many children does Lena Headey have?

Two sons: Wylie (born 2010) and Teddy (born 2015).

What is Lena Headey’s most famous role?

Her portrayal of Cersei Lannister on HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Did Lena Headey win any awards for Game of Thrones?

She received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations but did not win.

Is Lena Headey married?

She was married to Peter Loughran (2011–2013). She is currently in a relationship with Dan Cadan.

What other movies is Lena Headey known for?

She is known for roles in 300 (Queen Gorgo), The Brothers Grimm, The Purge series, and voice work in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Does Lena Headey have social media accounts?

She keeps a very low profile online and does not maintain active public social media accounts.