Gwendoline Christie

Gwendoline Christie Bio

Gwendoline Tracey Philippa Christie (born 28 October 1978) is an English actress known for portraying Brienne of Tarth in the HBO fantasy-drama series Game of Thrones (2012–2019), and Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017). She has since appeared in Netflix’s The Sandman and Wednesday (both 2022) and Apple TV+’s Severance (2025), with Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on Game of Thrones and Severance. Christie stands at 1.91 meters (6 feet 3 inches) tall, making her one of the most recognizable presences in contemporary film and television.

Early Life and Background

Gwendoline Tracey Philippa Christie was born in Worthing, West Sussex, England. She has two older half-brothers. Her mother was a housewife, and her father worked in sales and marketing. She grew up in a hamlet near the South Downs, attending Henfield Primary School and Warden Park Secondary School. As a child, she trained as a gymnast but took up acting after a spinal injury at the age of 11. Around 2002, she worked in a boutique in Brighton.

After attending Varndean College in Brighton and Hove, she graduated from Drama Centre London in 2005. During her training, she was told she would probably never work because she did not look the same as most actors, due to her unconventionally tall physique. She was inspired to continue pursuing her goal by Tilda Swinton’s performance in Orlando, realizing that there might be a place for her in the industry despite conventional expectations.

Path to Actress

Before launching her professional acting career, Christie’s height attracted the attention of photographer Polly Borland, who made Christie the subject of a noted series of photographs titled Bunny, created between 2002 and 2008. According to Christie, she felt that the photographs could help her come to terms with her body and challenge notions of femininity, though she later said she was shocked in retrospect that she had agreed to them.

Her mentor since drama school has been actor and author Simon Callow. Her theatrical career includes a performance as the Queen in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline opposite Tom Hiddleston, portraying Mag Wildwood in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and standing out as Lucifer in Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus in 2010. On screen, Christie debuted with a 2007 short film titled The Time Surgeon, written and directed by Nathaniel Mellors. She continued to appear in his works over the following years, also making her feature film debut with a minor role in the Terry Gilliam film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in 2009.

Gwendoline Christie Career

Early Career (2006–2011)

Between 2006 and 2011, Christie built her craft through a combination of stage performances and experimental screen work. In addition to her theatrical roles, she appeared in several of Nathaniel Mellors’s projects, including the first four films of his Ourhouse series of experimental short films released between 2010 and 2011 as parts of art exhibitions or selected public screenings. She was also involved behind the scenes, acting as associate producer and being credited for casting, costumes, props, and make-up on these projects. Her early screen work demonstrated versatility and willingness to engage with unconventional artistic projects.

Breakthrough (2011–2019)

In July 2011, Christie was cast as the warrior Brienne of Tarth in the second season of HBO’s Game of Thrones. Her character, an unusually tall, muscular, and plain-looking woman, was already a favourite among readers of the novels, and Christie had been proposed for the role by fans long before auditions took place. She drew on her own experiences of being bullied for her height and androgynous looks to play the part. To prepare, she started wearing unisex clothing and took up an intensive training regime, gaining over a stone (6.4 kg) of muscle mass.

Her debut aired on 15 April 2012 in the second season’s third episode, “What Is Dead May Never Die.” Her performance was well received by critics, with Nina Shen Rastogi praising her eloquent and economical physical performance, noting that her walk, stance, and mien effectively conveyed Brienne’s single-minded devotion to her self-given quest to become a knight. According to series co-writer, producer, and author 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.

Notable Works and Milestones

Game of Thrones concluded in 2019 with its eighth season. For her performance in the final season, Christie received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also appeared in the British science fantasy series Wizards vs Aliens from 2012 to 2013, portraying Lexi, the 17-year-old Princess of the Nekross. In 2015, she played Commander Lyme in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, joining the cast of the popular franchise.

The same year, Christie co-starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Captain Phasma, one of the film’s supporting antagonists. Her performance and the character’s design were both praised, though some critics noted the character’s relatively small role proportionate to her prominence in promotional materials. She reprised the role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi in 2017 and later for three episodes of the animated series Star Wars Resistance in 2018. In 2017, she also had a main role in China Girl, the second season of Top of the Lake, as Miranda Hilmarson, a character written especially for her by series co-creator Jane Campion.

Gwendoline Christie Award Nominations

Throughout her career, Gwendoline Christie has received critical recognition through several prestigious award nominations. Her work on Game of Thrones earned her nominations from both the Saturn Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards. Her continued excellence in television was recognized in 2025 with another Primetime Emmy nomination for her guest appearance in the Apple TV+ series Severance. As part of the Game of Thrones ensemble, she was also nominated for four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Gwendoline Christie Awards Won

While Gwendoline Christie has received multiple award nominations throughout her career, no verified award wins are documented in her professional record to date. Her nominations demonstrate the critical recognition she has earned for her performances in both film and television.

Personal Life

Since 2014, Christie has been in a relationship with British fashion designer Giles Deacon. She has no children. Christie is 6 feet 3 inches tall, and her height led to her being bullied when she was younger. She has spoken openly about using these experiences to inform her performances, particularly her portrayal of Brienne of Tarth, a character who also faces discrimination for her unusual appearance.

Beyond acting, Christie has diversified into fashion and media. In January 2024, she walked for Maison Margiela during Paris Couture Week, wearing the closing look of the collection. The same year, she hosted Vogue’s livestream coverage of the Met Gala alongside La La Anthony, Ashley Graham, and special correspondent Emma Chamberlain. In August 2024, Firaxis Games announced that Christie would be the narrator for their flagship game Civilization VII, released in February 2025. In October 2025, she featured on the track “The Good Life” by Sleaford Mods with Big Special, demonstrating her expanding presence across entertainment mediums.