Emilia Clarke, known for her iconic role as Daenerys Targaryen on HBO’s acclaimed series Game of Thrones, has recently shared her candid thoughts on the impact of her journey on the show, her Emmy experiences, and her personal health struggles. In a revealing interview with Variety, Clarke opened up about the feelings of insignificance she encountered following the conclusion of the series.
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Clarke portrayed the powerful Mother of Dragons from 2011 until the series finale in 2019. Despite her remarkable performance earning her four Emmy nominations, she did not secure the coveted award during her time on the show. Reflecting on this, the 39-year-old actress admitted to feeling a sense of disappointment. “I’m embarrassed to admit that not winning an Emmy was a really significant thing,” Clarke revealed.
The actress vividly recounted her experience at the Emmy Awards, where, upon glancing around the venue during her last appearance, she felt a profound sense of being irrelevant. “Everyone’s over ‘Game of Thrones’ now — you’re old news,” she remarked, illustrating the rapid shift in public perception after the series closed its chapter. Such sentiments highlight the pressures that actors often face in maintaining relevance post-stardom.
Beyond her experiences in the television industry, Clarke has faced significant personal challenges, including serious health issues. In a separate interview on the podcast How To Fail with Elizabeth Day, she spoke about the terrifying reality of suffering two brain aneurysms during her tenure on Game of Thrones. “I was just convinced that I had cheated death and I was meant to die,” Clarke confessed, reflecting on the mental toll these experiences took on her.
Her first brain haemorrhage occurred shortly after filming the first season of the show. Clarke described the overwhelming stress of her rapidly changing life and career, which culminated in an alarming incident at a London gym, where she collapsed while working out. “The closest thing to describe it is imagine an elastic band just snapping around your brain,” she explained, conveying the excruciating pressure that ensued. As she crawled to the bathroom, she realised the severity of her condition and was overcome with a sense of impending doom.
Following her recovery, Clarke endured a second aneurysm while living in New York City, where she was performing on Broadway. This condition had been detected during the monitoring process for her first health scare. Through these harrowing experiences, she developed a deep commitment to supporting others with brain injuries, co-founding the charity SameYou alongside her mother, Jennifer, in 2019.
SameYou focuses on providing resources for brain injury recovery and has gained recognition for its mission. Clarke’s dedication to this cause underscores the profound impact her personal trials have had on her perspective and priorities.
Despite her challenges, Clarke remains a beacon of resilience in the entertainment industry. Her story resonates not only with fans of Game of Thrones but also with individuals facing their own struggles. It serves as a reminder that behind the glitz of fame and accolades lie real human experiences, often fraught with hardship and growth.
As Clarke continues to navigate her career and advocacy work, she reflects on the lessons learned from both her triumphs and tribulations. Her journey encapsulates the complexities of fame, the fight for recognition, and the indomitable spirit of recovery.