Emilia Clarke Reflects on Career and Health After 'Game of Thrones'
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Emilia Clarke, known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in HBO's record-breaking 'Game of Thrones', has launched a charity for brain injury recovery following her own health struggles. She is now pursuing new projects, including producing and starring in upcoming series and films. Clarke also clarified that reported salaries for the show's cast were exaggerated.
Facts First
- Starred as Daenerys Targaryen in HBO's most-watched series, 'Game of Thrones'
- Experienced two brain hemorrhages after filming seasons 1 and 3, leading to emergency surgery
- Founded the charity SameYou in 2019 to support brain injury recovery
- Is producing and starring in new projects including the series 'Ponies' and the film 'Next Life'
- Clarified that reported cast salaries of $300,000 per episode were exaggerated
What Happened
Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen in HBO's 'Game of Thrones', has detailed her career path and personal challenges. After two unsuccessful years applying to drama schools, she was offered a place at Drama Centre London when another student dropped out. She was working at the London Film Museum when she received the call to audition for 'Game of Thrones', a role she secured after the original pilot featuring Tamzin Merchant was recast. The series finale in May 2019 featured the death of her character, and the final season is the most-watched in HBO's history.
Shortly after wrapping the first season, Clarke experienced a brain hemorrhage that required hospitalization and emergency surgery. She suffered a second brain hemorrhage after Season 3. In response, she launched the charity SameYou in 2019 to support brain injury recovery. Her father died from cancer after the seventh season.
Clarke's career includes roles in films like 'Terminator Genisys' and 'Solo: A Star Wars Story', and the Marvel series 'Secret Invasion'. She is now moving into producing and starring in new projects, including the Peacock series 'Ponies', where she serves as a producer and plays a character named Bea. Her upcoming indie feature 'Next Life', directed by Drake Doremus, is scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Festival. Clarke also stated that the reported salary of $300,000 per episode for the main 'Game of Thrones' cast was exaggerated.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a fan of 'Game of Thrones' or follow Clarke's work, you may see her in new roles that explore different genres and eras, from a CIA agent's wife in Soviet-era Russia to an armed robber in a new Prime Video series. Her advocacy through SameYou could raise awareness and support for brain injury recovery, a cause that may affect you or someone you know. Her clarification about cast salaries provides a more accurate picture of the entertainment industry's economics.
What's Next
Clarke's upcoming projects are likely to premiere soon, with 'Next Life' scheduled for the Tribeca Festival. Her continued work as a producer on 'Ponies' suggests she may expand her creative influence beyond acting. The charity SameYou could continue to grow its impact on brain injury recovery support.