How 'Game of Thrones' actress Gwendoline Christie became the first female Stormtrooper

Gwendoline Christie, best known as the indomitable Brienne of Tarth on "Game of Thrones," is the feminist hero you're looking for.

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Later this year, the Sussex-born actress appears as the first female Stormtrooper in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." She joins another blockbuster franchise this holiday season via "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2."

Gwendoline Christie, star wars, sdcc
Gwendoline Christie at San Diego Comic-Con. Michael Buckner/Getty

In honor of Christie's breakout success, we're taking a look back at her meteoric rise to fame. 

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Born October 28, 1978, Gwendoline Christie grew up in the countryside of Sussex, England.

south downs, east sussex, england
Sussex, England. iStock

Source: Stylist

Growing up, her first passion was rhythmic gymnastics, but a back injury when she was 11 forced her to try something new.

old hastings town east sussex england quaint charming
Hastings Old Town outside Sussex, England. iStock
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At 15, Christie took on the role of Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and felt she found what she was supposed to do in life.

lady macbeth
Wikimedia Commons

She studied at the infamous Drama Centre London, whose alumni include Michael Fassbender, Colin Firth, and future "Game of Thrones" castmate Emilia Clarke.

drama centre london
Drama Centre London. Google Street View
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The school's rigor earned it the nickname Trauma Center. "I was told I was rubbish all day, every day," Christie says. "But really that prepares you for the amount of rejection you get on the job."

platform theatre, london
The Platform Theatre, where the Drama Centre London stages many of its shows. Facebook/platformtheatre

Sources: Wall Street Journal and Stylish

Christie stood at six-three, and her height soon became an obstacle. Casting directors turned her away because she was too tall.

gwendoline christie, old twitter photo
Twitter/lovegwendoline and twitpic
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In an attempt to appear more feminine, Christie wore makeup, heels, and long hair. Coincidentally, it was an aesthetic she liked.

gwendoline christie, old twitter photo
Twitter/lovegwendoline

"At one stage I was like, 'I'll give this another six months and if this persists, I'll become a nun," Christie jokes. She says the effortless wardrobe and free food appealed to her.

julie andrews, the sound of music
Julie Andrews plays a nun in "The Sound of Music." Robert Wise Productions/"The Sound of Music"

Source: Stylist

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As a student, she modeled nude for Australian photographer Polly Borland in a series entitled "Bunny." Christie says the experience helped her come to terms with her body.

 

Christie poses in a body suit and pantyhose to parody the iconic Playboy bunnies.

Source: Independent

It became her mission to take on roles that challenge notions of femininity and what it is to be a woman. Her size couldn't hold her back.

gwendoline christie, old twitter photo
Twitter/lovegwendoline and twitpic

Source: Stylist

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She made her theater debut in 2005 in Royal Shakespeare Company's "Great Expectations," and later landed roles in British productions of "Gilgamesh" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company. Flickr/Phil Dolby

Source: Screenrant

Her only role in a major movie came in 2009, when she was cast in Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Her IMDb credit says "Classy Shopper 2."

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, gwendoline christie
Christie towers over her castmates in "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Infinity Features Entertainment/"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
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At last, in 2010, word spread the producers of a hit HBO fantasy drama "Game of Thrones" were casting the role of Brienne of Tarth for season two.

game of thrones hbo panel, george r.r. martin, david benioff
Writer George R.R. Martin and writer-executive producer David Benioff speak at a 2011 HBO press tour. Frederick M. Brown/Getty

In author George R.R. Martin's "A Song Of Ice And Fire," Brienne is a female knight who fights valiantly, demands respect from her male peers, and gives herself fully to those who earn her loyalty.

gwendoline christie, brienne of tarth, game of thrones season 5 five
Helen Sloan/HBO
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The series' fans threw their support in online forums behind casting Christie for the role. She took to Twitter to lobby — hard.

Gwendoline Christie, Twitter
Twitter/lovegwendoline

Source: Stylist

"I wanted the part so very badly because from reading the books the character was so like elements of myself," Christie says. "I've not come across a part like this before, whereby the complexities of being an extremely tall woman are explored."

Brienne of Tarth
hbo.com

Source: GamesRadar

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Christie lost over 20 pounds and gained it back in muscle in preparation for her audition. She traded blouses and skirts for androgynous clothing.

Gwendoline Christie Brienne audition tape
Christie appears in a "Game of Thrones" audition reel. HBO via YouTube

But by then, her fate was already sealed. The show's casting director saw Christie perform in "Great Expectations" and was convinced they found their Brienne. She got the part.

brienne of tarth
Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Source: Stylist

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Christie has since become a fan favorite, winning hearts for her valor and for challenging gender stereotypes.

Daniel Portman, Gwendoline Christie, brienne of tarth, game of thrones season 5 five
Helen Sloan/HBO

Now, Christie's movie career is taking off. This November, she appears as Commander Lyme in "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2."

jennifer lawrence hunger games mockingjay
Jennifer Lawrence. Murray Close/Lionsgate
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In the books, Lyme is a former champion in the Hunger Games who serves as a military leader in District 13. Katniss describes her a muscular woman with an unforgettable face.

gwendoline christie, hunger games mockingjay part 2
YouTube/Lionsgate

And in December, Christie takes on what could be a career-defining role in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." She plays Captain Phasma, the franchise's first female Stormtrooper.

star wars the force awakens stormtroopers
Disney/Lucasfilm
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Captain Phasma is no ordinary Stormtrooper. She wears chrome armor and a tattered black cape.

captain phasma star wars the force awakens
Disney/Lucasfilm

Phasma serves on the First Order, a military group inspired by the Galactic Empire.

star wars the force awakens captain phasma
Disney/Lucasfilm
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Christie worked with director J.J. Abrams to carve out the character. The armor, she says, allows her to focus on body language and voice, not looking beautiful.

gwendoline christie, daisy ridley, star wars the force awakens, sdcc
Gwendoline Christie and Daisy Ridley. Jesse Grant/Getty

Source: Variety

It felt familiar. "I don't think many female actors get the opportunity to play a part where they're not having to think about the way their face looks," Christie says, "but I found exactly the same thing with Brienne of Tarth, and that was very liberating."

gwendoline christie, hbo, game of thrones, brienne of tarth
Helen Sloan/HBO

Source: Variety

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We don't know what's next for Christie. Right now, she's juggling press tours for both films while also filming season six of "Game of Thrones" overseas.

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Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Gwendoline Christie. Kevin Winter/Getty

With two more major franchises in her pocket, Christie is a rising star to watch.

gwendoline christie
Actress Gwendoline Christie attends the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Game of Thrones
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