Carey Mulligan dedicates award win to Helen McCrory as she pays tribute to ‘true independent spirit’

Carey Mulligan dedicated her Film Independent Spirit Award win to Helen McCrory, paying tribute to her ‘true independent spirit’.

The actress was named best female lead at the bash, thanks to her leading stint as Cassie in Promising Young Woman.

Speaking in her acceptance speech, the 35-year-old made sure to remember the late star, who died aged 52, following a battle with cancer.

‘I want to dedicate this award to a true independent spirit, an actress that I have looked up to and will continue to look up to for the rest of my career, Helen McCrory,’ she said.

‘So thank you to her for everything she gave us.’

Carey – who has been tipped to win big at this weekend’s Oscars – also used her speech to give a shout-out to director Emerald Fennell, as well as her fellow nominees at the awards.

‘I am shocked and in awe and honoured to be in this group of extraordinary women and so floored by each and every one of their performances,’ she continued.

‘I need to just thank first and foremost Emerald Fennell for her complete genius in writing and directing and producing this work.’

She was up against Nicole Beharie, Viola Davis, Sidney Flanigan, Julia Garner and Frances McDormand for the gong.

Carey’s speech comes a week after news of Helen’s death broke, following a ‘heroic battle with cancer’.

The news was announced by her husband, Homeland actor Damian Lewis, in an emotional statement shared last Friday.

‘I’m heartbroken to announce that after an 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 wrote.

‘She died as she lived. 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.’

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