Happy birthday, Lena Headey!

Today, Game of Thrones star Lena Headey turns 44. Let’s make like Maisie Williams and raise a glass to the woman who’s been tearing it up as Cersei Lannister for seven years.

Headey was already a success before scoring the role of Cersei, having gotten attention for her roles as Queen Gorgo in 300 and as Sarah Connor in Fox’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. And that’s in addition to a cornucopia of smaller film roles. She was actually recommended for Cersei by her friend Peter Dinklage, with whom she filmed Pete Smalls is Dead shortly before casting on Game of Thrones started up.

And the rest is pretty much history. Headey has been one of the most consistently captivating actors on Game of Thrones, taking Cersei from a conniving vamp always working on a new scheme to a damaged power player capable of blowing up a church full of her rivals. The more disturbed Cersei becomes, the more Headey seems to relish it, and the harder it is for us to look away.

Headey is one of the several Game of Thrones cast members to have been nominated for an Emmy for her work on the show — three years in a row now! — although she’s also one of several to never win. Considering how strong her performance was in season 7, 2018 may finally be her year!

But even if she doesn’t bring home the gold, fans know what a good thing they have in her. At this point in the game, I can’t see anyone else as Cersei. When I read the books, I involuntarily picture Lena Headey, which isn’t the case with every character. She’s taken an already-juicy role and infused it with a healthy dollop of her own personality, creating an iconic character I think will stand the test of time.

So happy birthday, Lena Headey. Her her roar.

Next: Scientists try to explain the long seasons on Game of Thrones

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