Actress Helen McCrory, known for her starring roles in Peaky Blinders and the James Bond film Skyfall, has died aged 52.

The talented actor had been battling cancer for a number of years, with her husband and fellow actor Damian Lewis confirming the news of her death via Twitter today.

pic.twitter.com/gSx8ib9PY9

— Damian Lewis (@lewis_damian) April 16, 2021

She is best-known for starring as Aunt Polly Gray in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders, Clair Dowar in the 007 flick Skyfall and Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise.

McCrory also had a critically acclaimed stage career, winning plaudits for National Theatre roles in productions of Medea and Terence Rattigan’s post war drama The Deep Blue Sea.

"The beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully as home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family," he wrote.

"She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you."

Helen is survived by her two children, 14-year-old daughter Manon a 13-year-old Gulliver.

McCrory was born in Paddington, London, to a Welsh mother and Scottish-born father and was the eldest of three children. She attended school in Hertfordshire, then spent a year living in Italy, before returning to London to study acting at the Drama Centre. The actress later married Damien Lewis in 2007 after giving birth to Manon in 2006.

Tributes have poured in from Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGowan, Ben Wilbond, Paddy McGuinness, Tony Robinson, fellow actor Reece Shearsmith and the Almeida Theatre - an Islington venue where she performed several times.

Helen McCrory was fearless and brilliant. Her talent astounded me . She was a shining light and is so still.

— Elizabeth McGovern (@ElizabethMcGov) April 16, 2021

We’re so sad to hear of the death of Helen McCrory.

She will be greatly missed and our thoughts go out to her family.

We were privileged that Helen performed at the Almeida a number of times in her career, most recently in Ibsen’s Rosmersholm in 2008.

📸 Johan Persson pic.twitter.com/UcKiZ8MJpG

— Almeida Theatre (@AlmeidaTheatre) April 16, 2021

Helen McCrory as Polly Gray

All our love and thoughts are with Helen’s family.

Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/HBEg4Hz2Up

— Peaky Blinders (@ThePeakyBlinder) April 16, 2021

Supremely talented, RIP Helen McCrory. Sending love to Damian and family. pic.twitter.com/33lGrREnO5

— Paddy McGuinness 💙 (@PaddyMcGuinness) April 16, 2021

How terribly sad that we’ve lost Helen McCrory so young. She was one of the finest, most versatile and charming actors of her generation. The thoughts of all her many fans will be with Damian and the kids right now. RIP x

— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) April 16, 2021

Heartbroken at the news that Helen McCrory has died. She was so so brilliant when she came to work on Bill. Funny, generous, some wicked stories. I was in awe. My heart goes out to Damian and their family. Rest in peace.

— Ben Willbond (@benwillbond) April 16, 2021