Gwendoline Christie

Gwendoline Christie is a British actress. She is best known for portraying the warrior Brienne of Tarth in the HBO fantasy-drama series "Game of Thrones" and Lexi in the science fantasy series "Wizards vs Aliens." She will portray Commander Lyme in "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" and will be seen in the upcoming "Star Wars Episode VII."

Her theatrical career includes a performance as the Queen in Shakespeare's "Cymbeline" and "standing out" as Lucifer in Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus." On screen, Christie played supporting roles in Terry Gilliam's 2009 and 2013 films "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" and "The Zero Theorem," the BBC TV production "The Seven Ages of Britain" and the 2012 television series "Wizards vs Aliens," among others.

Christie's striking height, 6 ft 3 in, attracted the attention of photographer Polly Borland, who made Christie the subject of a noted series of photographs, entitled "Bunny," between 2002 and 2008. 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.

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." Her character—an unusually tall, muscular and plain-looking woman—is a favorite among many readers of the novels.

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 obtain after reading the "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels which the show adapts.

According to series co-writer and -producer 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. After being cast in the role, she prepared for it by taking horsemanship, sword-fighting and stagefighting lessons.

For her role as Brienne, Christie was nominated for the 2013 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In April 2014 Christie was cast in the role of Commander Lyme for the final two films in the "The Hunger Games" series.

Christie joined the cast of "Star Wars Episode VII" in June 2014.