When was Helen McCrory diagnosed with cancer? What we know as Damian Lewis makes rare appearance with children years after wife’s death

Damian Lewis, 54, attended the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards at London's Royal Festival Hall with his kids, making a rare public appearance after Helen McCrory's death.

On May 12, 2025, he was seen stepping out publicly after a long time with daughter Manon, 18, and son Gulliver, 17. He shares his kids with his late wife, McCrory.

The Peaky Blinders actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. The timing of her diagnosis still remains undisclosed as she chose to keep her condition private. At the age of 52, she passed away on April 16, 2021.

Damian Lewis has been raising their children since Helen McCrory's passing.

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Damian Lewis appeared in public with his kids

At the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards, the actor was nominated in the Supporting Actor category for portraying King Henry VIII in Wolf Hall, according to a Daily Mail report. Damian and his children donned elegant black looks for the eminent event.

Before the Sunday award night, the 2025 Burberry show at London Fashion Week was the last time Damian Lewis was photographed with Manon and Gulliver in a rare public outing. Also, it was one of the trio's occasional public engagements since Helen McCrory passed away in April 2021.

Sharing highlights from the show, Damian Lewis expressed his appreciation for Burberry and Anna Wintour.

He wrote:

"Thank you @burberry for a stunning collection tonight and a beautiful piece of theatre and thank you @theannawintour for the best seat in the house and thank you Leslie Manville for winking at me when you walked instead of keeping a straight face"

The Band of Brothers actor also thanked his children for tagging along with him.

He further added,

"Thank you Gully and @manonmccrory for being the best crew.🥰"

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Helen McCrory's breast cancer diagnosis explored

Despite struggling with breast cancer, Helen McCrory continued working while maintaining privacy about her worsening health. She continued appearing in public without anyone realizing she was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Damian announced Helen's demise with an official statement shared on social media. On April 16, he stated on X (formerly Twitter),

"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."

He further continued,

"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."

According to a Woman & Home report, Helen McCrory's colleagues and friends had no information on her physical health updates. Like her fans worldwide, her close acquaintances and friends were shocked to hear the news of her demise too.

In a conversation with the Daily Mail, actor David Harewood spoke about knowing Helen's cancer diagnosis only two days before her death.

He said:

"Damian got in touch a couple of days before the news broke, he let us all know. It was all very, very upsetting."

He further expressed,

"It was shocking and unbelievably sad. Damian did such a tremendous job in publicly handling all that. My heart goes out to him and to their two young children."

Helen McCrory's passing after her battle with breast cancer affected her family. According to BANG Premier, Lewis recalled feeling "physically drained" while speaking with the Guardian newspaper.

He shared,

"For four or five months, you're physically drained. Helen was ill for four and a half years."

Recounting those days, Damian opened up,

"They say that the first day of diagnosis of an illness that could be terminal is the first day of your grief."

He also accepted,

"You are in a state of semi-grief while the person is still alive because there is always the sense that something might go wrong at any point."

The Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood actor also recounted writing a music album. Helen is the inspiration behind his creation. However, he is uncertain about his music journey. He admitted,

"I could have been a musician. And I’ve ended up trying to be one. I’ve no idea whether I’ll be a good musician."

Lewis also revealed his plans for his musical exploration,

"We’ve put together a bunch of songs and there’s chat of trying to put some tracks down in a recording studio ... seeing if there’s something there that people might want to listen to."

Knowing he might be facing criticism for this new creative adventure, he further added,

"Of course, they will be lining up to take shots as I stick my head above the parapet because no one is an easier target than an actor who thinks he can be a bit of a musician. But I don’t want to go off and be a great jazz star or pop star, or rock star."

Expressing his appreciation for art, he explained,

"I’m an actor. I want to remain in my discipline. But for me this is something of unbelievable value. It’s so much fun and what we don’t do well in this country is we don’t cross-fertilise across the different arts and that’s a big shame. So I need a bit of pushing or shoving."

On July 4, 2007, Damian Lewis tied the knot with Helen McCrory at the Kensington and Chelsea Registry Office in London.