Stage actress and early screen career (2006–2011) in 2009 In 2002, Christie's height attracted the attention of photographer
Polly Borland, who made Christie the subject of a noted series of photographs, titled
Bunny, between 2002 and 2008. On screen, Christie debuted with a 2007
short film titled
The Time Surgeon, written and directed by
Nathaniel Mellors. In the following years, she continued to appear in his works, such as
Seven Ages of Britain Teaser, a short TV film acting as an introduction to the final episode of the documentary series
Seven Ages of Britain, and the first four films of his
Ourhouse series of
experimental short films, released between 2010 and 2011 as parts of art
exhibitions or in selected public screenings. She was also involved in
Ourhouse behind the scenes, acting as
associate producer and being credited for
casting,
costumes,
props, and
make-up. Meanwhile, she made her feature film debut with a minor role in the
Terry Gilliam film
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in 2009. In 2009 she joined Patrick Wolf in the music video for "Damaris".
Joining Game of Thrones and Wizards vs Aliens (2011–2015) and
Liam Cunningham at
San Diego Comic-Con in 2015 In July 2011, Christie was cast as the warrior
Brienne of Tarth in the
second season of
HBO's fantasy TV series
Game of Thrones. Her character, an unusually tall, muscular, and plain-looking woman, is a favourite among many readers of the novels, and Christie had been proposed for the role by fans long before auditions took place. After being cast in the role, she prepared for it by working out extensively, taking horsemanship, sword-fighting, and
stagefighting lessons. For her performance as Brienne in the show's
third season, Christie was nominated for the
Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2014. As a part of the cast, she was also nominated for a total of four
Screen Actors Guild Awards for
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (she was not a part of the nominated cast in certain years depending on her number of appearances each season). In addition to her role in
Game of Thrones, Christie appeared in the British
science fantasy series
Wizards vs Aliens by
Doctor Who writers
Russell T Davies and
Phil Ford from 2012 to 2013, in the main role of Lexi, the 17-year-old Princess of the Nekross, the alien species invading earth. For the role, she wore heavy make-up, although she also appeared with her usual physique as Lucy, the human form of Lexi. The same year, she joined the cast of
Swallows and Amazons as Mrs. Blackett, but later dropped out. Also in 2015, Christie co-starred in
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as
Captain Phasma, one of the film's supporting antagonists. Her performance and the character's design were both praised, but some were critical of her character's relatively small role in the film, particularly proportionate to her prominence in promotional materials. In 2017, Christie had a main role in
China Girl, the second season of
Top of the Lake, as Miranda Hilmarson, a Constable in the Sydney Police Force, and the new partner of the show's main character played by
Elisabeth Moss; the character was written especially for Gwendoline by series co-creator
Jane Campion, after Christie asked her to be a part of the series. The same year, she reprised her role of Captain Phasma in
Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a sequel to
The Force Awakens. She would later reprise the role for three episodes of the animated series
Star Wars Resistance in 2018. In 2018, she appeared as the bounty hunter Lady Jane in
The Darkest Minds, an adaptation of the book trilogy
The Darkest Minds by
Alexandra Bracken, as Gwen in the
Peter Strickland film
In Fabric, and as the Russian caretaker Anna in the
Robert Zemeckis film
Welcome to Marwen.
Game of Thrones concluded in 2019 with its
eighth season; for her performance in the final season, Christie received her first
Primetime Emmy Award nomination for
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series; she also received a second
Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television nomination for her performance in the final two seasons. In January 2021, Christie was cast as
Lucifer in the
Netflix adaptation of
The Sandman. and
Jenna Ortega in 2025 In November 2022, Christie played Principal Larissa Weems in the Netflix comedy horror series
Wednesday. In January 2024, Christie walked for
Maison Margiela during Paris
Couture Week, wearing the closing look of the collection. In May of the same year, Christie hosted the
Vogue livestream coverage of the
Met Gala, alongside
La La Anthony,
Ashley Graham and special correspondent
Emma Chamberlain. On 20 August 2024 Firaxis Games announced that Christie would be the narrator for their flagship game
Civilization VII, which was later released in February 2025. In October 2025, she featured on the track "The Good Life" by
Sleaford Mods with
Big Special. ==Personal life==