Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke, an accomplished English actress, has left an indelible mark with her standout performances in various film and television projects. Best known for her iconic role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, Clarke's portrayal of the character earned her widespread acclaim and recognition, including Emmy Award nominations. Beyond Westeros, she showcased her versatility in roles such as Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys and Qi'ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story.


Clarke's talent extends to the stage, with notable appearances in stage productions during her time at Drama Centre London. Despite challenges like the suspension of The Seagull due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, she has proven her resilience and commitment to her craft. Her contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Secret Invasion further highlight her diverse acting capabilities.


With a captivating presence on both screen and stage, Emilia Clarke continues to captivate audiences with her performances, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.


Emilia Isobel Euphemia Rose Clarke, born on October 23, 1986, in London, spent her formative years in Oxfordshire. Her father, Peter Clarke, a theatre sound engineer from Wolverhampton, and her mother, Jennifer, a businesswoman, provided her with a multicultural background. Clarke, Anglo-Indian with maternal Indian heritage, was deeply connected to her roots. Her grandmother's struggle with identity and her love for India left a lasting impact, prompting Clarke to scatter her ashes in India after her passing.


From a young age, Clarke displayed an interest in acting, inspired by a production of Show Boat at the age of three. A pivotal moment occurred when her father took her to a West End audition for The Goodbye Girl at the age of ten. Although she attended prestigious boarding schools, she often felt like an outsider due to the predominantly Conservative backgrounds of her peers.


After graduating from St Edward's School, Oxford, in 2005, Clarke embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Despite initial setbacks in her applications to prestigious drama schools, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, she eventually found her way to Drama Centre London, where she graduated in 2009. This marked the beginning of her promising career in acting.


Emilia Clarke's journey in acting took root during her school years, where she actively participated in stage productions. Notable among these were her roles in student productions of Twelfth Night and West Side Story while she attended St Edward's School. Following a sabbatical year, Clarke's dedication to her craft led her to gain acceptance into Drama Centre London.


In 2009, she showcased her acting skills in the production of Sense, a play co-produced by Company of Angels and Drama Centre London. This early experience laid the foundation for her future success in the entertainment industry.


Transitioning into the world of film, Clarke's initial roles included appearances in student productions such as Drop the Dog, a University of London short film. Despite the challenges faced in the competitive field, she graduated from drama school in 2009, paving the way for her professional career.


After graduation, Clarke faced the reality of the industry, working various non-acting jobs while relentlessly auditioning for roles. Her determination paid off when she secured her first credited television role, a bit part in a 2009 episode of the British soap opera Doctors. This marked the beginning of her journey in professional acting.


Clarke's debut in professional film came with the 2010 television film Triassic Attack, where she played the character Savannah. Despite the film's mixed reviews, her potential was recognized, earning her the distinction of being named a "UK Star of Tomorrow" by the film magazine Screen International. This acknowledgment foreshadowed the successful career that awaited Emilia Clarke in the years to come.


Emilia Clarke's career reached new heights with her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, a role she assumed in 2010. The series, based on George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series, captivated audiences from April 2011 to May 2019, spanning eight seasons.


Clarke's performance as Daenerys garnered critical acclaim, particularly for her portrayal of a character who undergoes a significant transformation from a frightened girl to a powerful woman. Reviewers, such as Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe, praised her "mesmerizing" scenes, emphasizing her ability to convey fierce determination and captivate audiences with her riveting presence.


By embodying Daenerys, Clarke skillfully navigated away from the stereotypical roles often assigned to young British actresses, avoiding what she referred to as the "typical bonnet duty." Her success in the role was further highlighted when she reportedly became one of the highest-paid actors on television, earning an impressive £1.2 to £2 million per episode.
Clarke's dedication to her craft earned her numerous award nominations and wins. After the first season, she secured the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama award at the 2011 EWwy Awards. Subsequent Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series followed in 2013, 2015, and 2016. Notably, in 2019, she received her first Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category.


Beyond the television show, Clarke lent her voice and likeness to the 2014 video game adaptation of Game of Thrones. She also made a memorable cameo appearance during Kit Harington's monologue on Saturday Night Live in April 2019. In a November 2019 NPR interview, Clarke expressed gratitude for her iconic role, stating that if she were to be stereotyped, being known as the "mother of dragons" wouldn't be a bad fate. In a 2021 interview, she also shared her thoughts on how she would have changed the ending of her character's arc in the series.

References

1.  Clarke, Emilia (21 March 2019). "A Battle for My Life". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
2. ^ "Celebrity birthdays for the week of Oct. 21-27". Associated Press. 15 October 2018. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2020. Actress Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) is 32
3. ^ Marriner, Cosima (17 May 2018). "Emilia Clarke: Life after Game of Thrones". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
4. ^ "In Vogue: Emilia Clarke". Vogue. 15 June 2015. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
5. ^ "Emilia Clarke's Father Gave Her This One Piece of Decorating Advice". Architectural Digest. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. This philosophy, Clarke says, is due to the fact that her father, Peter, "prized education above all else."
6. ^ "Emilia Clarke Was Born to Rule". Elle. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
7. ^ Gawley, Paige (2 May 2019). "Emilia Clarke Reveals Her Brother Works on 'Game of Thrones,' Makes Filming Love Scenes Awkward". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2020. He's in the camera department, which is brilliant. It's amazing," she said, before sharing the not-so-fun part of sharing the same employe