Game of Thrones star Michelle Fairley in Sydney / Pic: Tim Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph Fearless ... Lady Catelyn Stark from Game of Thrones. STARRING in last year's most pirated TV series - more than 4.28 million illegal downloads, 10 per cent of them from Australia - is a "double-edged sword," Game Of Thrones' Michelle Fairley says. The Irish actress, who plays fearless widow Lady Catelyn Stark in the big-budget fantasy drama, said it was difficult to measure success in the war on pirates. "It speaks to the popularity of the show but it's a double-edged sword because piracy works against you," she said. US network HBO is attempting to stop pirates by fast-tracking air dates to international markets. Fairley, in Sydney launching the second season on DVD, said she was drawn to the role because of the show's portrayal of strong women. "It's about reclaiming respect and having a stand in a male-dominated world, which we are also dealing with in the real world," Fairley said. A lot of the situations, even though they take place in a fantasy world, are issues we are dealing with today - work, love, loss, survival, honour, keeping your family together. These women need to be stronger and clever than the men to survive.