Why Do People Love Gwendoline Christie?
Gwendoline Christie has become one of the most beloved actresses of her generation, acclaimed for her talent, striking looks, and magnetic charisma. But what is it exactly about Christie that makes her so admired by audiences and critics alike?
Commanding Screen Presence
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, Gwendoline Christie has an undeniably powerful on-screen presence. Her height alone makes her stand out from other actresses, but it’s her ability to use her stature to convey strength, authority, and charisma that has made her so compelling to watch.
Early Career Building Her On-Screen Persona
Even early on in her career in smaller roles, Christie demonstrated a skill for using her height and piercing looks to capture attention.
| Year | Production | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus | Shopper |
| 2010 | The Secret of Moonacre | Clarissa |
In these early roles, she showcased an ability to grab the viewer’s attention, foreshadowing her future star power.
Breakout Role on Game of Thrones
Her breakout role as the formidable Brienne of Tarth on HBO’s epic fantasy series Game of Thrones catapulted her to stardom. As a towering knight who could match any man in combat, Brienne was an unconventionally powerful female character that allowed Christie to truly own the screen.
| Years | Notable Brienne Achievements |
|---|---|
| 2012-2019 | Defeated the Hound in single combat |
| 2015-2016 | Holds her own against Arya Stark while training her to fight |
With her forceful presence and emotional performance, Christie made Brienne an icon of female strength respected across the Seven Kingdoms.
Dedication to Embodying Complex Characters
Christie pours herself completely into each role she takes on, embracing both the physicality and psychology of the characters she portrays. She demonstrates a commitment to fully inhabiting the part through intense preparation.
Extensive Physical Training
The actress goes above and beyond when it comes to physical training for action-heavy roles. For example, she worked extensively with an elite trainer every day for several months to bulk up for her role as Captain Phasma in Star Wars.
| Production | Training Details |
|---|---|
| Star Wars Sequel Trilogy | – Five hour per day workouts for four months – Focus on strength, stamina and posture for wearing 35 lb suit |
| Game of Thrones | – Intense sword fighting, horseback riding – Fighting in heavy armor in harsh conditions |
This vigorous dedication to embodying women warriors has made her an aspirational figure as an actress and athlete.
Emotive Acting Range
In addition to her physical prowess, Christie is acclaimed for her nuanced portrayals of complex emotional lives.
As Brienne, she quietly conveyed the character’s struggle with her femininity and her repressed love for Jaime Lannister. In Top of the Lake, she unsettlingly depicted the trauma of her character Miranda’s past abuse. And in The Friend, she gave a tender performance as a woman coping with terminal illness.
Her willingness to explore challenging themes and vulnerably expose complicated aspects of female experience resonates deeply with audiences.
Principled Advocacy
Beyond her acclaimed acting talents, Gwendoline Christie has earned admiration as an advocate for women’s equality and representation in the entertainment industry. She courageously challenges issues like discrimination and bullying.
Confronting Industry Sexism
The actress has been vocal about confronting sexism and double standards for women in Hollywood. For example, she spoke out about the expectation that actresses should lose weight for roles when men do not face the same pressures.
She also highlighted the shocking pay gap revealed on Game of Thrones where she and other female leads were paid significantly less than male actors. Her willingness to tackle these pressing issues head-on has made her an inspiring champion for women in the arts.
Speaking Out Against Bullying
Having faced bullying as a child for her unusual height, Christie made an emotional speech at the2018 Glamour Awards about overcoming abuse and learning to embrace herself.
| Year | Award | Speech Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Glamour Awards | Overcoming childhood bullying and self-acceptance |
| 2019 | Women in Film and Television Awards | Gender equality and fair treatment in the workplace |
Her candor about struggling with self-esteem and challenging discrimination has resonated powerfully.
Conclusion
In summary, Gwendoline Christie has earned devoted fandom and critical acclaim due to her commanding screen presence, commitment to fully inhabiting complex characters, and principled advocacy for gender equality in film.
Standing out with her striking looks, emotive acting range, and courage to confront issues on and off-screen, Christie has established herself as a captivating talent. Her rapier wit, sensitivity and strength come through in every role she undertakes.
As she continues taking on thrilling new challenges like her upcoming part as Lucifer Morningstar in Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman series, audiences will undoubtedly remain enraptured by her one-of-a-kind screen magic. Gwendoline Christie thoroughly embodies why people love a star who shines brilliantly both in the spotlight and as a role model.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gwendoline Christie’s Appeal
What role first made Gwendoline Christie famous?
Gwendoline Christie’s breakout role was as Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones. As a formidable warrior who defied gender stereotypes, Brienne established her as an exciting talent and feminist icon.
How did Gwendoline prepare for her role as Captain Phasma?
To play the chrome stormtrooper Captain Phasma in Star Wars, Christie underwent an intensive 4-month training regimen focused on building strength and stamina to withstand the 35-pound armor costume.
Why do people see Gwendoline as a role model?
With her advocacy for gender equality in Hollywood and vulnerably sharing her struggles with bullying and self-esteem, Christie serves as an inspiring role model for overcoming adversity with courage and self-confidence.
What major award did Gwendoline Christie win?
She shared the 2019 Women in Film and Television Award for Best On-Screen Performance with her Game of Thrones co-stars due to the groundbreaking success of Brienne of Tarth and her advocacy for the series’ female cast.
Will Gwendoline only take action movie roles?
While roles in Star Wars and Game of Thrones established her physical prowess as an actor, Christie also receives acclaim for her emotive range. Upcoming projects like The Sandman tap into her softer side, showing her versatility.
