The portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen on the award-winning TV phenomenon Game of Thrones is what led to Emilia Clarke being launched into international stardom.
When an actor is an integral part of the most successful show in the history of television, one might think that they would slow down and think carefully when they consider what’s next for them. This is the reason why the 32 year-old actress is now in the microscope of everyone, waiting for the next chapter of her career after the conclusion of Game of Thrones.
Clarke also made clear that she isn’t bothered by the huge backlash from the fans regarding the show’s final season. She also explains why she chose Last Christmas as her first project post-Thrones.
Speaking in an interview with Stellar Magazine. Clarke was asked about the overwhelmingly negative response from the viewers,
“I was too busy focusing on my own reactions to really pay too much attention, if any at all. The only thing I felt truthfully sad about was that (executive producers) David (Benioff) and Dan (Weiss) are my really good friends, and so it’s for them that I feel heartbreak, because it’s theirs.“
She was also asked about the shock twist of Daenerys’ storyline in the show. She mentioned that she doesn’t Google herself nor read reviews online. Clarke adds that it doesn’t really help her if she reads online comments that praises her, nor does it help when they spit out insults.
“Those are the extremes you deal with when you read about yourself on the internet, so I simply don’t.”
When asked if she feels pressure in choosing her next project after Thrones, the mother of dragons jovially stated that she doesn’t really feel any pressure because she knows that the show is one of a kind,
“I’m not going to go off and be like ‘Oh well, dragons are my thing…’ I can’t be a crazy woman demanding dragons forever! ‘These aren’t as good as my last dragons!’ Can you imagine?”
Clarke was also asked about what she learned playing Daenerys,
“Oh my goodness, she taught me about lady balls. She taught me what it feels like to be in a room and be heard. She wielded such power, calmness and such poise.”
Clarke explained that Daenerys had this ferocious intensity that aided her in making incredibly tough decisions. She added that in the third season she had to ‘start busting some balls’.
“As a 25-year-old standing in front of 500 extras, 150 crew members, six cameras, a drone, dragons and fire, I had to bring it.”
“I felt like if I can do that, then the red carpet doesn’t feel so scary to me at all. So there’s a certain kind of self-belief that rubs off on you as a person.” she added.
When asked what attracted her to take the female lead in Last Christmas, the actress stated that when she found out that Emma Thompson had written the screenplay for the film when it was pitched to her, she said that it was a no-brainer.
“I think she is the greatest human and with the double combo of Paul Fieg directing, it was an absolute no-brainer. Worst-case scenario, we were at least going to have a wonderful time.”
Last Christmas will be in cinemas starting November 7th.