Dame Diana Rigg: 'Game of Thrones' castmates lead tributes to late actress

Former 007 George Lazenby and Oscar winner Viola Davis also wrote moving homages to the star

English actress Dame Diana Rigg, pictured on April 5, 2019, has died aged 82. AFP

Dame Diana Rigg accepts the Variety Icon Award at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Getty Images

Diana Rigg in 'Game of Thrones'. Courtesy OSN

Diana Rigg and Georgina Rich in the play 'Honour' at Wyndham's Theatre in London in 2006. Reuters

Diana Rigg during a press conference in April 2002 in Australia. Getty Images

Dame Diana Rigg during a celebrity gala performance of 'Peter Pan' by the Chicken Shed Theatre Company in 2000. Reuters

Diana Rigg with her Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play in New York City, US, in 1994. Reuters

Lady Holiday, played by Diana Rigg, gives instructions to her secretary, Miss Piggy, in Jim Henson's 'The Great Muppet Caper' in 1981. Getty Images

Diana Rigg as Clytemnestra in the BBC's 'The Serpent Son' in 1978. Getty Images

Anthony Hopkins as Macbeth and Diana Rigg as Lady Macbeth in a production of Shakespeare's tragedy 'Macbeth' in 1972. Getty Images

Diana Rigg, best known for playing Emma Peel in the 1960s TV series 'The Avengers', in 1970. AFP

Diana Rigg in 1969. Getty Images

Diana Rigg in 1969. Getty Images

Diana Rigg at the Ideal Home Exhibition, at the Olympia in London, in 1967. Getty Images

Diana Rigg trying John Thaw's hat on in Hanover Square, London, in 1966. Getty Images

Diana Rigg trying out a car at The Motor Show in 1965. Getty Images

Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in the television series 'The Avengers', in 1964. Getty Images

Diana Rigg on the driver's seat of a car during filming of British television series 'The Avengers', in 1964. Getty Images

The Queen of Thorns has laid down her crown.

Dame Diana Rigg, the British actress who brought Lady Olenna Tyrell to life in HBO's Game of Thrones, died on Thursday, September 10, aged 82.

The TV, film and stage star, who was also known for roles in The Avengers and On Her Majesty's Secret Service, died after a six-month battle with cancer, her daughter said.

"My beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this [Thursday] morning, at home, surrounded by family," Rachael Stirling said.

"She died of cancer diagnosed in March and spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession. I will miss her beyond words."

Rigg was a doyenne of theatre, as well as the small and silver screens, and garnered several during her lengthy career, including two Baftas, a Tony and an Emmy.

She also worked up until her later years, most recently starring in All Creatures Great and Small, a UK Channel 5 series that had its premiere on September 1.

After news of Rigg's death was made public, several of her co-stars paid homage to the esteemed actress on social media.

"Be a dragon. The realm will always remember Diana Rigg," the official Game of Thrones Twitter account said.

Below, we round up the most touching tributes made by her peers in the film and TV industry.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

The Danish actor starred alongside Rigg as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones.

John Bradley

The British actor played Samwell Tarly in the HBO fantasy epic.

Natalie Dormer

"Rest in peace to the wonderfully talented Diana Rigg," wrote the actress, who played Rigg's granddaughter, Margaery Tyrell, in Game of Thrones. 

Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli

The James Bond producers paid tribute to the actress, so far the only star in the 007 franchise to wed the famous British agent.

Viola Davis

The Academy Award-winning actress gave a short but moving tribute.

Mia Farrow

The Rosemary's Baby actress said was Rigg magnificent.

Mark Gatiss

The actor and writer, known for his roles in Doctor Who and Sherlock, appeared on stage with Rigg.

Edgar Wright

The Baby Driver writer and director is behind Rigg's last film role, in the yet-to-be-released Last Night in Soho.

Nathalie Emmanuel

The actress played Missandei in Game of Thrones.

George Lazenby

The former 007, who starred alongside Rigg in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, posted a stirring tribute on Instagram.

"I'm so sad to hear of the death of Diana Rigg. She undoubtedly raised my acting game when we made On Her Majesty's Secret Service," the actor wrote. "Her depth of experience really helped me. We were good friends on set.

"Much was made of our supposed differences but that was the press looking for a news story. I was sorry to have lost my wife in the film at the end. The death of Contessa Teresa di Vincenzo Draco created a memorable cinema moment over 50 years ago. As my new bride, Tracy Bond, I wept for her loss. Now, upon hearing of Dame Diana's death, I weep again."

Pedro Pascal

"The true queen of Westeros," the actor, who portrayed Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, captioned this portrait.