As His Dark Materials series three launched tonight there was one original cast member who wouldn't be returning and the show made sure they paid a lovely tribute to them. Actress Helen McCrory, who also was famous for her roles in Peaky Blinders and James Bond, voiced the character of Stelmaria, Lord Asriel’s (James McAvoy) daemon in the first two series of the Welsh-made show.
Helen sadly died in April 2021 from cancer and there was a simple and beautiful title card as the opening episode came to a close, simply saying 'In memory of Helen McCrory, OBE.' Following Helen’s death, His Dark Materials shared their loss on Twitter, writing: “We are heartbroken to report that the uniquely talented, #HelenMcCrory, who voiced Lord Asriel's daemon Stelmaria, has passed to another world after battling cancer. We have lost one of the finest actors of our generation. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Read more: Full list of Disney+ Willow locations that show off just how beautiful Wales is
Cobra and The Crown star Victoria Hamilton stepped in to provide the voice of the daemon in place of Helen, who was married to actor Damien Lewis. Earlier this year Peaky Blinders, in which she played Aunt Polly, also paid tribute to the star with a poignant scene which saw Aunt Polly's face within the smoke from her caravan, which had been set alight by the character's son, Michael Shelby.
Damien announced her death on Twitter, and said she died peacefully at home after being diagnosed with cancer. In a statement, he wrote: "I'm heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family. She died as she lived. Fearlessly.
"God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you." Helen was born in Paddington, London, to a Welsh mother and Scottish-born father and was the eldest of three children.
READ NEXT:
