'Game of Thrones' star Lena Headey says outrage over infamous nude scene left her stunned

More than 10 years after one of television's most talked-about scenes, Lena Headey set the record straight about a decision that sparked backlash far beyond Westeros.Headey pulled back the curtain on the backlash that erupted after Cersei Lannister's infamous "Walk of Atonement" in "Game of Thrones," revealing she still found the outrage baffling."I was really shocked by the anger, by this idea that I’d duped the audience," Headey told The Telegraph."But by that point everyone knew [the cast], it was insane simply going anywhere, and I was with 3,000 extras."'OFF CAMPUS' STAR ELLA BRIGHT ADDRESSES AGE CONCERNS OVER INTIMATE SCENES IN PROVOCATIVE SERIESLena Headey reflected on the backlash she received after using a body double for Cersei Lannister's infamous "Walk of Atonement" scene in "Game of Thrones." (C Flanigan/Getty Images)She explained that while acting is "a joy," the scale of filming the scene would have made it impossible for her to fully inhabit the emotional performance if she had also been worrying about being naked in front of thousands of people."I wouldn’t have been able to do the emotional part of the job," she told the outlet.

"I’d have been in full-on defensive mode."Looking back, Headey said she was in a very different position than many younger actresses entering the industry.Her experience on set gave her the confidence to set boundaries she doesn't believe everyone feels comfortable asserting.GOLDIE HAWN SOUNDS THE ALARM ON CHILDHOOD CELEBRITY CULTURE: 'ALL I CAN SAY IS IT'S A NIGHTMARE'Lena Headey and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in a scene from season 7 of "Game of Thrones." The two played Cersei and Jaime Lannister in the series.  (Hbo/Kobal / Shutterstock)"By that point, I’d been through the wringer," the actress said.

"I could stand up for myself.I’m not saying those actresses couldn’t, but they were much younger and more vulnerable, and had far less experience of being in front of people and the camera and performing.

Whereas I...