It is a sad day for Harry Potter fans. Helen McCrory, who was best known for playing Narcissa Malfoy in the film series, has passed away. She was 52.
The tragic news comes from McCrory's husband Damian Lewis. The Billions star took to his official Twitter account to confirm his wife's passing.
"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," Lewis wrote.
"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," Lewis concluded.
McCrory was originally cast as Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. However, her first pregnancy forced her to pull out of the film and she was replaced by Helena Bonham-Carter. Luckily, McCrory was later cast as Bellatrix's sister Narcissa Malfoy, who was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. She would reprise the role in the last two Harry Potter movies.
McCrory then rose to fame for her portrayal of Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders. Her most recent role was in His Dark Materials, where she provided the voice of Lord Asriel's daemon Stelmaria.
The passing of McCrory is truly tragic considering that she has been a true inspiration to her fans. However, it is best to remember what Albus Dumbledore has to say about facing your fate: "After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."
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