Celebrities are paying tribute to 'Harry Potter' actress Helen McCrory after news of her death

• Celebrities and other public figures are posting social-media tributes to actress Helen McCrory.
• McCrory's husband, actor Damian Lewis, announced on Friday that she had died of cancer at age 52.
• McCrory was known for her roles in "Harry Potter" and "Peaky Blinders."

Celebrities and other public figures are reacting to the news of "Harry Potter" and "Peaky Blinders" actress Helen McCrory's death with moving social-media tributes describing her as an "extraordinary actress" and a "compassionate human being."

The messages started pouring in on Instagram and Twitter after McCrory's husband, actor Damian Lewis, shared on Friday that she had died of cancer at age 52.

"I'm heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family," Lewis wrote in a tweet.

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

Two days later, Lewis penned a tribute to his wife in The Times on Sunday, writing that McCrory "was an even more brilliant person than she was an actress."

"I've never known anyone able to enjoy life as much," he wrote. "Her ability to be in the present and enjoy the moment was inspirational."

"Nor was she interested in navel-gazing," Lewis continued. "No real interest in self-reflection; she believed in looking out, not in. Which is why she was able to turn her light so brightly on others."

McCrory and Lewis had two children, Manon, 14, and Gulliver, 13.

J.K. Rowling and several 'Harry Potter' stars spoke warmly of McCrory in their tributes to the late actress

McCrory began her acting career with a stint on stage at London's West End and has also appeared in critically-acclaimed movies like "Interview With the Vampire" (1994) and "The Queen" (2006). But one of her most recognizable roles was in "Harry Potter."

McCrory joined the "Harry Potter" movie franchise as Narcissa Malfoy, the mother of Draco Malfoy, in 2009, although she was initially cast as that character's sister, Bellatrix Lestrange.

Tom Felton, who played Draco, thanked McCrory for guiding him, both on-screen and in real life, and praised her "razor sharp wit" in an Instagram post featuring their characters in a scene from "Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the final movie in the "Harry Potter" series.

Jason Isaacs, who played Draco's father and Narcissa's husband Lucius Malfoy, also wrote a moving Instagram post (featuring the same scene from "Deathly Hallows" as Felton's post) honoring McCrory.

"Decades ago, Helen and I auditioned together for a film," Isaacs wrote. "I came home and said to Emma [his wife] 'I think I've just met the greatest actress I've ever seen.'"

"Luckily, I eventually found out that she was also scabrously funny, shockingly naughty, and with an empathetic heart the size of a planet," he continued.

Isaacs added that "being screen-married to and giggle with the great Helen McCrory will always be a highlight" of his career. He concluded his tribute by sending his love to McCrory's family.

"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling tweeted on Friday she was "devastated" to hear about McCrory's death and praised her as an "extraordinary actress."

Chris Rankin and Bonnie Wright, who played siblings Percy and Ginny Weasley in the "Harry Potter" franchise, also spoke highly of the "brief moments" they spent with McCrory while filming the movies.

Evanna Lynch, the actress who played Luna Lovegood in several of the films, echoed Wright and Rankin, writing on Instagram that while she had only met the late actress "a handful of times on the 'Potter' sets and the occasional press junket," McCrory was "vivacious, kind, warm and fun" and a "force."

"If you weren't secretly obsessed with her, you just weren't paying attention," Lynch wrote.

McCrory's 'Peaky Blinders' costars called her 'shockingly talented'

McCrory starred as Polly Gray in "Peaky Blinders" from 2013 until 2019.

Cillian Murphy, who starred alongside McCrory on the period drama, said in a statement that he was "broken-hearted" over McCrory's death.

"Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being," Murphy said. "She was also a gifted actor - fearless and magnificent."

"She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played.," he added. "It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years. I will dearly miss my pal."

"My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family," Murphy concluded.

Actor Finn Cole, who played her character's son on "Peaky Blinders," called McCrory "witty, classy, and "really f------ cool" in a series of Instagram story videos.

McCrory's costars Sophie Rundle and Sam Claflin joined Cole and Murphy in paying tribute to the actress.

Other public figures - in the entertainment industry and beyond - joined in posting social-media messages about McCrory

The official Twitter account of the Royal National Theatre in the UK said they had a "long and rich association" with McCrory, who had returned to the stage as Hester Collyer in "The Deep Blue Sea" in 2016.

"James Bond" producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli extended their condolences to McCrory's family. They had worked with the actress on the 2012 Bond film "Skyfall."

"Lucifer" star Tom Ellis called McCrory a "true treasure."

McCrory's longtime friend, actor Michael Sheen, said that it was an honor "to work with her and know her" since they were children.

"Midsommar" star Florence Pugh wrote on Instagram Stories that she was "heartbroken" and that, like many others, she had grown up watching and admiring McCrory's work.

"Beauty and the Beast" actor Luke Evans said that McCrory made him "a little nervous" whenever they met, but she was "always so gracious" to him.

Taron Egerton reminisced about his first acting job, opposite McCrory, where he had to play a teenager "besotted" with her.

"It wasn't difficult," Egerton wrote alongside a black-and-white Instagram photo of McCrory. "She was kind, funny, awe-inspiringly talented, and was full of so much life."

Helen Mirren posted the same photo of McCrory as Egerton on Instagram and called her a "great actress and a great person."

"Sherlock" actor Mark Gatiss commended McCrory for bringing "aching vulnerability" to her performances and said that she was "a wonderful actor and a wonderful woman."

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, tweeted that he was "desperately sad" to hear about McCrory's death.