Rebecca Van Cleave Outed As Lena Headey’s Body Double In ‘Game Of Thrones’ Walk Of Shame Scene

Cersei’s much-anticipated walk of atonement during Game of Thrones’ season finale was as powerful as one could have expected, with star Lena Headey bringing the emotional gravity to the scene. While Headey’s performance has rightfully been lauded, there is a second actress deserving of credit – body double Rebecca Van Cleave.

Rebecca Van Cleave’s Walk Of Shame Role

When the Game of Thrones finale aired, it was common knowledge that Headey had used a body double for the walk of shame scene, but it was a mystery as to whom had taken on that role. By the end of the week, however, the U.K. press outed Van Cleave as the actress who helped Headey – who’d opted out of the nudity “for several reasons ” – play Cersei Lannister in “Mother’s Mercy.”

“It was one of the scariest, most wonderful, most gratifying experiences I could have imagined,” Van Cleave told Entertainment Weekly. “I never in a million years would have thought I would be in Dubrovnik surrounded by hundreds of extras and crew members throwing food at me, but it was amazing.”

Van Cleave credits Headey with helping her literally embody the character that she has played for years now in what is probably her biggest and most pivotal scene to date.

“Lena was so good about walking beside me and guiding me into what Cersei was thinking and the movements,” Van Cleave said. “We were playing tag team — ‘You’re it!’ — and trying to make light of the fact we’re all covered in everything and going through this together.”

Game of Thrones Finale ‘Mother’s Milk’ Recap

Headey was equally complimentary of Van Cleave, admitting that it was a particularly difficult and draining scene to shoot.

“It was a long process trying to find somebody who got what it means physically to be there with all that stuff going on, and Rebecca is a great actress,” Headey said. “It takes a lot to walk through the crowd naked for three days in a row with the crowd braying at you.”

Van Cleeve, who has previously appeared in TV series 50 Ways to Kill Your Lover and The Royals, hopes that her challenging role in Game of Thrones will lead to more parts, preferably ones for which more than just her body will appear.

“It’s definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the best experience of my life,” Van Cleeve said of her part on the HBO show. “And I hope the next thing I do will have my head in it!”