Damian Lewis and children make rare family appearance after Helen McCrory's death

Wales Online

12-05-2025

Damian Lewis and children make rare family appearance after Helen McCrory's death
The Wolf Hall star was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2025 BAFTA Awards and was supported by his two children.
Actress Helen McCrory dies aged 52
Damian Lewis made a touching appearance at the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards on Sunday, 11 May, accompanied by his two children, Manon, 18, and Gulliver, 17. This public outing comes four years after the death of his wife, Helen McCrory.
The 54-year-old Wolf Hall actor was in the running for Best Supporting Actor for his role as King Henry VIII in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, the eagerly awaited sequel to the acclaimed original series.
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Despite not winning the award, his heartening presence with his seldom-seen children drew attention. Looking dapper in a traditional black suit and slim tie, Damian made a striking impression on the red carpet.
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His daughter Manon exuded elegance in a black halter-neck dress, complemented by black suede heels and a gold bag adding a hint of sparkle. Gulliver, bearing a strong resemblance to his father, mirrored him in a well-tailored suit and white shirt.
This event is one of the few times the family has appeared publicly together since Helen's sad death in April 2021, after a private battle with breast cancer. She was just 52 years old, reports the Express.
Damian said their children had Helen's 'fearlessness, wit, curiosity, talent and beauty'
(Image: (Image: Getty) )
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The Peaky Blinders actress and Damian had been married for 14 years before she sadly died, with Damian openly discussing the pain of her loss and the resilience she instilled in their children.
In a heartfelt tribute published in The Times, he revealed that his wife had expressed her wish for him to find love again.
He wrote: "She's left our beautiful children, Manon and Gully, too early, but they have been prepared for life. They have in them the fearlessness, wit, curiosity, talent and beauty of their mother. She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid."
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Damian Lewis, with his two children and his father at the TV BAFTAs
(Image: (Image: Getty) )
He further penned: "As she said repeatedly to the children, 'Don't be sad, because even though I'm about to snuff it, I've lived the life I wanted to'."
Their last joint public outing was at a Burberry event during London Fashion Week earlier in the year; however, the significance of Sunday's BAFTAs red carpet appearance was amplified given its focus on British TV.
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Helen and Damian were married for 14 years
(Image: (Image: Getty) )
Following the demise of Anne Boleyn, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light returns with a more tempestuous Henry VIII portrayed by Lewis, while Mark Rylance continues his acclaimed turn as Thomas Cromwell, ensnared in treacherous palace politics and struggling to retain his influence.
Away from the camera, Damian is known for his understated commitment to family. In a discussion on the Dish podcast last autumn, he offered a glimpse into managing teenaged children, along with anecdotes of culinary faux pas.
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"I do cook. I like it," he disclosed, only to reveal that his daughter had since relegated him from cooking duties. "She's vegetarian and very particular. I bought her an air fryer - now she's the chef."
The Bafta TV Awards aired on BBC One Sunday 11 May at 7pm and is available to stream on iPlayer.