Gwendoline Christie - wikipedia Gwendoline Christie Gwendoline Christie Christie at the San Diego Comic Con International in 2017. Gwendoline Manuela Mariett Josephine Christie Brown ( 1978 - 10 - 28 ) 28 October 1978 ( age 39 ) Worthing, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom Residence London, England Alma mater Drama Centre London Occupation Actress model Years active 2006 -- present Height 6 ft 3 in ( 191 cm ) Partner ( s ) Giles Deacon ( 2013 - present ) Gwendoline Manuela Mariett Josephine Christie Brown ( born 28 October 1978 ), known professionally as Gwendoline Christie, is an English actress and model. She is best known for portraying the warrior Brienne of Tarth in the HBO fantasy - drama series Game of Thrones since 2012, and the First Order stormtrooper Captain Phasma in Star Wars : The Force Awakens ( 2015 ) and Star Wars : The Last Jedi ( 2017 ). Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2.1 Stage actress and early on - screen career ( 2006 - 2011 ) 2.2 Joining Game of Thrones and Wizards vs Aliens ( 2011 - 2015 ) 2.3 Star Wars and Top of the Lake ( 2015 - present ) 3 Personal life 4 Filmography 4.1 Film 4.2 Television 4.3 Theatre 4.4 Video games 5 References 6 External links Early life Gwendoline Manuela Mariett Josephine Christie Brown was born in Worthing, West Sussex, to a housewife mother and a father who worked in sales and marketing. She grew up in a hamlet near the South Downs. She trained as a gymnast as a child, but after a spine injury forced her to abandon that career, she took up acting. Around 2002, she worked in a funky interiors boutique in Brighton called Pussy. She graduated from Drama Centre London in 2005. During her years at the school, she was told she `` would probably never work because I did n't look the same as most actors '', due to her unconventional physique, and was even told `` well, good luck with that '' by her agent after stating she would like to work on screen ; however, she was inspired to continue pursuing this goal after being inspired by Tilda Swinton 's performance in Orlando. In aa 2017 interview, she recalled thinking `` Well, she is in a film, she is otherworldly, and is definitely outside of the room. (... ) I realised that maybe there is a place for me too. '' Career Stage actress and early on - Screen career ( 2006 - 2011 ) Christie performing on stage at the London Palladium in November 2009. In 2002, Christie 's height 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. However, she later said that she was shocked in retrospect that she had agreed to them. Christie 's 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 ( 2010 ). On film, Christie debuted with a 2007 short film titled The Time Surgeon, written and directed by Nathaniel Mellors. In the following years, she continued to appear in his works, such as Seven Ages of Britain Teaser, a short TV film acting as an introduction to the final episode of the documentary series Seven Ages of Britain, and the first four films of his Ourhouse series of experimental short films, released between 2010 and 2011 as parts of art exhibitions or in selected public screenings. She was also involved in Ourhouse behind the scenes, acting as associate producer and being credited for casting, costumes, props, and make - up. Meanwhile, she made her feature film debut with a minor role in the Terry Gilliam film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in 2009. Joining Game of Thrones and Wizards vs Aliens ( 2011 - 2015 ) 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 favourite among many readers of the novels, and Christie had been proposed for the role by fans long before auditions took place. 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 play after reading the A Song of Ice and Fire novels which the show adapts. To prepare even for the auditions, she started wearing unisex clothing to help her get into her character 's more masculine mindset, and took up an intensive training regime, gaining over a stone ( 6.4 kg, 14 lb ) of muscle mass. According to series co-writer, producer, and author of the novels, 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 working out extensively, taking horsemanship, sword - fighting, and stagefighting lessons. Christie with her Game of Thrones co-stars Carice van Houten ( left ) and Liam Cunningham at the San Diego Comic Con International in 2015. Her debut was in the second season 's third episode, `` What Is Dead May Never Die '', which aired on 15 April 2012. Her debut performance was well received by critics ; Nina Shen Rastogi praised 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. For her performance as Brienne in the show 's third season, Christie was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2014. As a part of the cast, she was also nominated for a total of four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series ( she was not a part of the nominated cast on certain years depending of her number of appearances each season ). In addition to her role in Game of Thrones, Christie appeared in the British science fantasy series Wizards vs Aliens by Doctor Who writers Russell T Davies and Phil Lord from 2012 to 2013, in the main role of Lexi, the 17 - year - old Princess of the Nekross, the alien species invading earth. For the role, she wore heavy make - up, although she also appeared with her usual physique as Lucy, the human form of Lexi. She also had a minor role in another Terry Gilliam movie, The Zero Theorem, released in 2013. Star Wars and Top of the Lake ( 2015 - present ) In 2015, Christie played Commander Lyme in the final film in The Hunger Games series, The Hunger Games : Mockingjay -- Part 2. Actress Lily Rabe had signed on for the part previously, but had to back out due to scheduling conflicts. The same year, she joined the cast of Swallows and Amazons as Mrs. Blackett, but later dropped out. Also in 2015, 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 ; however, her minimal role in the film, particularly after the character was prominently featured in promotional material, was criticized. In 2017, Christie reprised her role of Captain Phasma in Star Wars : The Last Jedi, a sequel to The Force Awakens. The same year, she had a main role in China Girl, the second season of Top of the Lake, as Miranda Hilmarson, a Constable in the Sydney Police Force, and the new partner of the show 's main character played by Elisabeth Moss ; the character was written especially for Christie by series co-creator Jane Campion, after Christie asked her to be a part of the series. In 2018, she will appear as a bounty hunter in The Darkest Minds, an adaptation of the book trilogy The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, as Anna in the Robert Zemeckis film The Women of Marwen, and as Gwen in the Peter Strickland film In Fabric. Personal life Christie is 6 feet, 3 and a quarter inches tall ( 1.91 m ). She has always been particularly tall, which led her to being bullied when she was young. She has been in a relationship with fashion designer Giles Deacon since early 2013. Christie at the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015. Filmography Film Year Title Role Director ( s ) Notes 2007 The Time Surgeon The Tape Nathaniel Mellors Short film 2009 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Classy Shopper 2 Terry Gilliam Ourhouse, Episode 1 : ' Games ' Annalise `` Babydoll '' Wilson Nathaniel Mellors Short film ; also associate producer, and responsible for casting, costumes, props, and make - up Ourhouse, Episode 4 : ' Internal Problems ' Annalise `` Babydoll '' Wilson Nathaniel Mellors Short film ; also associate producer, and responsible for casting, costumes, props, and make - up 2011 Ourhouse, Episode 2 : ' Class ' Annalise `` Babydoll '' Wilson Nathaniel Mellors Short film ; also associate producer, and responsible for casting, costumes, props, and make - up 2011 Ourhouse, Episode 3 : ' The Cure of Folly ' Annalise `` Babydoll '' Wilson Nathaniel Mellors Short film ; also associate producer, and responsible for casting 2013 The Zero Theorem Woman in Commercial Terry Gilliam 2015 The Hunger Games : Mockingjay -- Part 2 Commander Lyme Francis Lawrence 2015 Star Wars : The Force Awakens Captain Phasma J.J. Abrams 2016 Absolutely Fabulous : The Movie Herself Mandie Fletcher Cameo 2016 The Dress The Woman Barnaby Roper Short film 2017 Star Wars : The Last Jedi Captain Phasma Rian Johnson 2018 The Darkest Minds TBA Jennifer Yuh Nelson Post-production 2018 The Women of Marwen Anna Robert Zemeckis Post-production 2018 In Fabric Gwen Peter Strickland Post-production Television Year Title Role Notes Seven Ages of Britain Teaser The Operator Short TV film 2012 -- present Game of Thrones Brienne of Tarth Main role Empire Hero Award ( 2015, together with the cast ) Nominated -- Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television ( 2013 ) Nominated -- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series ( 2013 -- 15, 2017 ) 2012 -- 2013 Wizards vs Aliens Lexi Main role ; 26 episodes 2017 Top of the Lake : China Girl Miranda Hilmarson Main role ; 6 episodes Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2006 Pravda Cindy Chichester Festival Theatre 2006 Mirandolina Ortensia Royal Exchange Theatre 2007 Cymbeline Queen Barbican Theatre 2009 Giantbum Sir Boss London 's Tate Britain 2009 Skin Deep Susannah Dangerfield Leeds Grand Theatre 2009 Breakfast at Tiffany 's Mag Wildwood Theatre Royal Haymarket, London Dr. Faustus Lucifer Royal Exchange, Manchester Video games Year Title Role Notes 2016 Lego Star Wars : The Force Awakens Captain Phasma Voice 2017 Star Wars Battlefront II Captain Phasma Voice References Jump up ^ Gwendoline Christine, Christie Ventures Ltd ; findthecompany.co.uk ( subscription required ) ^ Jump up to : `` England and Wales Birth Index 1916 -- 2005 ''. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 5 October 2014. Jump up ^ Gwendoline Christine, Christie Ventures Ltd ; findthecompany.co.uk ( subscription required ) Jump up ^ `` England and Wales Birth Index 1916 -- 2005 ''. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 5 October 2014. ( Subscription required ( help ) ). Jump up ^ Gwendoline Christine, Christie Ventures Ltd ; findthecompany.co.uk ( subscription required ) Jump up ^ Gwendoline Christine, Christie Ventures Ltd ; findthecompany.co.uk ( subscription required ) ^ Jump up to : McQuoid, Debbie ( 27 March 2013 ). `` Gwendoline Christie : Natural Born Warrior ''. Stylist. Retrieved 29 March 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Game of Thrones : Gwendoline Christie Interview ''. SFX. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : Lash, Jolie ( 17 April 2012 ). `` ' Game of Thrones ' -- Gwendoline Christie Talks Digging Deep To Play Brienne ''. Access Hollywood. Retrieved 17 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : Walker, Esther ( 29 June 2008 ). `` How We Met : Gwendoline Christie & Polly Borland ''. The Independent. Retrieved 8 July 2011. Jump up ^ `` Top of the Lake : China Girl 's Gwendoline Christie tells how she was inspired by Tilda Swinton ''. news.com.au. August 20, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` She Slays ! ''. Vogue. April 9, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie owes it to Tilda Swinton ''. The Sunday Post. August 27, 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2012. Jump up ^ Best, Jason ( 30 May 2007 ). `` Cymbeline ''. The Stage. Retrieved 8 July 2011. Jump up ^ `` Breakfast at Tiffanys -- Theatre Royal Haymarket London -- Cast and creative ''. london-theatreland.co.uk. 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014. Jump up ^ Walker, Lynne ( 16 September 2010 ). `` Doctor Faustus, Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester ''. The Independent. Retrieved 8 July 2011. Jump up ^ `` Ourhouse ''. Official Ourhouse website. Retrieved March 9, 2018. Jump up ^ Hibberd, James ( 8 July 2011 ). `` ' Game of Thrones ' casts fan favorite Brienne ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 8 July 2011. Jump up ^ Martin, George R.R. ( 7 July 2011 ). `` The Maid of Tarth ''. Retrieved 12 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : Jeffery, Morgan ( 12 April 2012 ). `` ' Game of Thrones ' Gwendoline Christie : ' I 'm similar to Brienne ' ''. Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 April 2012. Jump up ^ Shen Rastogi, Nina ( 16 April 2012 ). `` Game of Thrones Recap : How Do You Sleep ? ''. Vulture.com. Retrieved 17 April 2012. Jump up ^ Shen Rastogi, Nina ( 8 April 2012 ). `` TV 's best show about women ''. Salon. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Gravity, The Hobbit : The Desolation of Smaug Lead Saturn Awards Noms '' Jump up ^ McNary, Dave ( December 11, 2013 ). `` ' 12 Years a Slave ' Leads SAG Awards with 4 Nominations ''. Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Nominations for the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ''. ComingSoon.net. December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013. Jump up ^ Johnson, Zach ( December 10, 2014 ). `` SAG Awards 2015 : Complete List of Nominations ! ''. E ! News. Retrieved January 27, 2018. Jump up ^ `` SAG Awards Nominations : Complete List ''. Variety. December 9, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2018. Jump up ^ Rubin, Rebecca ( 13 December 2017 ). `` SAG Award Nominations : Complete List ''. Variety. Retrieved 13 December 2017. ^ Jump up to : Pantozzi, Jill ( October 6, 2012 ). `` Game of Thrones ' Brienne Of Tarth Is One Of Russell T. Davies ' Aliens In Wizards Vs. Aliens ''. The Mary Sue. Retrieved March 5, 2018. Jump up ^ `` ' Hunger Games : Mockingjay Part 2 ' Adds ' Game of Thrones ' Actress Gwendoline Christie ''. The Hollywood Reporter. 4 April 2014. Jump up ^ de Semlyen, Phil ( 24 June 2015 ). `` Rafe Spall And Gwendoline Christie Join Swallows And Amazons ''. Empire. Jump up ^ `` Star Wars : The Force Awakens -- Gwendoline Christie Confirmed As Captain Phasma ''. Retrieved 4 May 2015. Jump up ^ Feeney, Nolan ( 2 June 2014 ). `` Lupita Nyong'o, Gwendoline Christie Join New Star Wars Film Cast ''. Time. Retrieved 5 June 2014. Jump up ^ McAloon, Jonathan ( December 18, 2015 ). `` Star Wars : The Force Awakens : 12 loose ends and big questions ''. The Telegraph. Retrieved December 22, 2015. Jump up ^ Guerrasio, Jason ( December 18, 2015 ). `` I saw Star Wars : The Force Awakens, and I have one big complaint about the movie ''. Business Insider. Archived from the original on December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015. Jump up ^ Nicholson, Max ( April 3, 2016 ). `` 6 ' Star Wars : The Force Awakens ' Characters Who Need to Up Their Game in ' Episode VIII ' ''. Collider.com. Retrieved April 3, 2016. Jump up ^ https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/12/star-wars-the-last-jedi-review-episode-viii-rian-johnson Jump up ^ Vineyard, Jennifer ( 23 March 2017 ). `` Gwendoline Christie on Playing the ' Complete Opposite ' of Brienne of Tarth ''. The New York Times. Jump up ^ Kit, Boris ( 23 March 2017 ). `` Gwendoline Christie Joins Sci - Fi Thriller ' Darkest Minds ' ( Exclusive ) ''. THR. Jump up ^ Kit, Boris ( 23 March 2017 ). `` BREAKING ! GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE HAS BEEN CAST AS LADY JANE IN ' THE DARKEST MINDS ' ! ''. THR. Jump up ^ McNary, Dave ( June 28, 2017 ). `` Gwendoline Christie Joins Steve Carell in Robert Zemeckis ' Drama ''. Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Warner, Sam ( November 28, 2017 ). `` Hayley Squires, Julian Barratt, Gwendoline Christie join Peter Strickland 's ' In Fabric ' ''. Screen Daily. Retrieved March 9, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Gwendoline Christie : ' Games of Thrones helped me overcome body issues ' ''. Belfast Telegraph. July 12, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Warrior woman : How Gwendoline Christie escaped the pressure to fit in ''. The Sydney Morning Herald. November 24, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2018. Jump up ^ Stephens, Brittney ( August 31, 2017 ). `` Yes, Gwendoline Christie Is in a Relationship -- and Her Man Has Royal Connections ''. PopSugar. PopSugar. Retrieved November 7, 2017. Jump up ^ Cronin, Emily ( 6 August 2016 ). `` Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie talks working with partner Giles Deacon : ' I wear armour and I wear couture -- both fascinate me ' ''. Retrieved 14 September 2017 -- via www.telegraph.co.uk. Jump up ^ `` Empire Hero Award ''. Empire. Bauer Consumer Media. 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015. Jump up ^ McGillan, Graeme ( 4 May 2016 ). `` ' Lego Star Wars : The Force Awakens ' Writer Talks New Mythology and Celebrity Voices ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 December 2016. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gwendoline Christie. Gwendoline Christie on IMDb `` Meet the British stars of Game of Thrones ''. Radio Times. VIAF : 306391718 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gwendoline_Christie&oldid=832990836 '' Categories : 1978 births 21st - century British actresses Actresses from Sussex Alumni of the Drama Centre London British film actresses British stage actresses British television actresses Living people People educated at Warden Park School People from Worthing Hidden categories : Pages containing links to subscription - only content EngvarB from March 2016 Use dmy dates from March 2016 Articles with hCards Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Asturianu تۆرکجه Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Ελληνικά Español فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Latina Magyar Македонски മലയാളം Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Simple English Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська 22 more Edit links This page was last edited on 29 March 2018, at 02 : 13. 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Question: who's the actress that plays captain phasma
Answer: Gwendoline Manuela Mariett Josephine Christie Brown[5] (born 28 October 1978),[2] known professionally as Gwendoline Christie