'I was overcome with shyness': Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie recalls meeting her idol Carrie Fisher on Star Wars set before the iconic actress' tragic passing

By Jacob Polychronis For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 05:16 GMT, 26 November 2017 | Updated: 10:50 GMT, 26 November 2017

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She's the Game of Thrones star who fulfilled her dream by landing a role in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

And Gwendoline Christie recalled meeting her idol Carrie Fisher, before the iconic actress' tragic passing last year.

Speaking to Sunday Life this week, the 39-year-old said she was 'very starstruck' by the late actress, whose career-defining portrayal of Princess Leia influenced her as a child.

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'Princess Leia spoke to me': Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie (left) reveals she was starstruck when she met the late Carrie Fisher (right) on the set of Star Wars

'Princess Leia spoke to me ... she felt different, she was smart and she was strong,' Gwendoline told the publication

'When I meet someone I admire like that, I keep myself as far away as possible from the person, you know, don't bother them, eyes to the floor - I am overcome with shyness.

But the pretty blonde said the Star Wars legend was 'incredibly warm' towards her, which allowed her to relax in her company.

She added: 'Everyone around her felt electrified by her wit and humanity. She was so open about her struggles with mental illness. The sheer force of personality is ravishing.'

'She felt different': Speaking to Sunday Life, the 39-year-old said she was 'very starstruck' by the late actress, whose career-defining portrayal of Princess Leia influenced her as a child

Admiration: 'When I meet someone I admire like that, I keep myself as far away as possible from the person, you know, don't bother them, eyes to the floor - I am overcome with shyness,' Gwendoline said of Carrie

'Everyone around her felt electrified by her': The pretty blonde said Carrie (pictured playing Princess Leia) was 'incredibly warm' towards her, which allowed her to relax in her company

Carrie died four days after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles in December 2016.

The LA coroner found the daughter of Debbie Reynolds - who also died the next day - had cocaine, morphine and ecstasy in her system, although it was sleep apnoea and 'other factors' which killed her.

But before her sudden death, Gwendoline had the opportunity to work with her idol on the set of Disney's revival of the Star Wars franchise.

The actress - who is best known for playing Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones - landed a role on Star Wars as chrome-plated stormtrooper villain Captain Phasma.

She will reprise the role in the upcoming series installment The Last Jedi, which will also see Carrie posthumously star.

Sudden death: Carrie died four days after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles in December 2016

Colleagues: Before her sudden death, Gwendoline had the opportunity to work with her idol on the set of Disney's revival of the Star Wars franchise

Different role: The actress - who is best known for playing Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones - landed a role on Star Wars as chrome-plated stormtrooper villain Captain Phasma (pictured)